The news & observer., 1898-06-28
HOBSON AND NEWCOMB
CAPTAIN HODGSDON OF THE
HUGH M'CULLOCH.
AND NAVAL CADET JOSEPH W. POWELL
All have Distinguished Themselves in the Ser
vice, and the Thanks Of Congress Be-
sides HonOrs and Medals
are Recommended.

to- day sent two special messages to
Congress providing for recognition of
the service of Lieutenant Hobson, the
hero Of the AIerrimac, of Lieutenant
Newcomb and crew of the revenue cut
ter Hudson, which rescued the torpedo
boat Winslow at Cardenas; Captain
Hodgdson, of the dispatch boat Hugh
McCnlIoch, which figured in tue battle
aft Manila, and Naval Cadet Joseph
Wright Powell, who held the steam
launch under the bluffs at Santiago har-
hor searching for the crew of the Mer-
rimac. Authority is asked Of the Senate
lor the transfer Of HobsOn from the
Construction Corps to the line of the
navy, and the President announces that
wish authority given he will by ard
with the advice and consent Of the
Senate suitably advance Hobs0n in the
line.
The Hudson's crew are to be given a
vote of thanks aiid medals of cOmmen-
cation. Captain HodsdOn is TO be suit
ahls recognized.
The President mentioning HobsoD
cites the fact that the crew with him al
ready have been promoted.
! he message in relation to HObsoR
Nas aG follows:
''fo the Congress of the United States:
On the morning of the third Of June,
1898, Assistant Naval Constructor ". L.
Hobson, United States Navy, with a
volunteer crew of seven men, in charge
of the partially dismantled collier Mer-
rimac, entered the fortified harbor of
Santiago de Cuba for the purpose of
sinking the collier i'm the narrowest por-
ton Of the channel, and thus interposing
a serious obstacle to the egress of the
Spanish fleet which had recently enter
ed that harbor. This enterprise de-
manding coolness, judgment and bravery
amounting to heroism, was carried into
successful execution in the face of a per-
sistent fire from the hostile fleet as
well as from the Notifications on shore.
Rear Admiral Sampson, commander
in-chief of our naval force in Cuban
waters, in an official report dated off
Santiago de Cuba June 3, 1898, and ad-
dressed to the Secretary of the Navy,
referring to Mr.. Hobson's gallant ex-
plot, says:
AS stated in a recent telegram be-
fore coming here l decided to make the
harh0r entrance secure against the pos
sibility Of egress of the Spanish ships
by obstructing the narrow part of en-
trance by sinking a collier at that point
Upon calling upon Mr.. HObsOn for his
professional opinion as to a sure method
Of sinking the ship he manifested
most lively interest in the problem At
ter several days consideration he pre-
sented a solution which he considered
snko fs,, ,T,s,,
the ship, when she had reached the
desired point in the channel. The plan
contemplated n crew of only seven men
and Mr.. Hobson, who begged that it be
entrusted to him.
''As soon as / reched Santiago and
had the collier to work upon the de-
tails were commenced and diligently
prosecuted, hoping to complete them in
one day, as the moon and tide served
best the first night after our arrival.
Notwithstanding every effort, the hour
of o'clock in the morning arrived and
the preparations were scarcely complet-
ed. After a careful inspection of the
final preparations, / was forced to re-
linquish the plan for that day as dawn
was breaking. Mr. HObson begged to
try it at all hazards. This morning
proved propitiOus as prompt start
could be made. Nothing could have
been more gallantly executed.
"A careful inspection Of the harbor
from the ships shows that the MerrimacI
had been sunk in the channel.
Il cannot myself, too. earnestly ex-
press my appreciation of the conduct OIL
Mr.. HobsOn and his gallant crew. II
venture to say that more brave and
daring deed has not been done since
Gushing blew up the Albemarle.'
The members Of the crew who were
with Mr.. Hobson on this memorable
occasion, have already been rewarded
for their service by advancement, which,
under the provisions of law and regula-
tion, the Secretary of the Navy was
to make; and the nomination
by the Senate of Naval Cadet Powell, |
who in steam launch, followed the
Merrimac on her perilous trip for the |
purpose Of rescuing her force after the |
sinking of that vessel, to be advanced |
to the grade of Ensign, has been pre-
pared and will be submitted
Gushing, with whose gallant act in |
blowing mp the ram Albemarle during |
the Civil War, Admiral Sampson COM
pares Mr. Hohson's sinking of the Mer-
rimac, received the thanks Of Congress
upon the recommendation Of the Presi-l
dent. by name. and was in consequence
Continued on Second Page.) !