The record-union., 1898-06-28

scarcely completed. After careful in
spection of the final preparations, l
was forced to relinQuish the plan for
that morning. as dawn was breaking.
Mr.. Hobson begged to try it at all
hazards
This morning proved more prop1-
tiOus, as prompt start could be made.
Nothing could have been more gallant
ly executed A careful inspec-
tion of the harbor from the ship showed
that the Merrimac had been sunk
in the channel.
II cannot myself too clearly express
my appreciation of the conduct of Hob
son and his gallant crew. / venture
to say that a more brave and daring
thing has not been done since Cushing
blew up the Albemarle."
The members of the crew who were
with Mr. Hobson on this memorable
occasion have already been rewarded
for their services by advancement,
which, under the provisions of law and
regulation, the Secretary of the Navy
was authorized to make, and the nom
ination to the Senate of Naval Cadet
Powell, who in a steam launch fol-
lowed the Merrimac on her perilOus
trip for the purpose of reScuing her
force after the sinking of the vessel. to
be advanced to the rank Ensign, has
been prepared and submitted.
Gushing. with whose gallant act in
! blowing up the ram Albemarle during
the civil war Admiral Sampson COM
pareS Mr.. HobsOn's sinking of the Mer-
rimac, received the thanks of Congress
upon recommendation of the President,
and was in consequence, under the
provisions of Section 1908 of the Re-
vised Statutes, advanced one grade,
such advancement embracing fiftysix
numbers The section cited applies,
however, to line officers only, and Mr..
Hobson being a member of the staff of
the navy, could not under its provisions
be so advanced.
In considering the question of suit
ably reWarding Assistant Naval Con-
StructOr Hobson for his valiant con-
duct on the occasion referred to, / have
deemed it proper to address this mes
sage to you. with the recommendation
that he receive the thanks of Congress,
and further that he be transferred 10
the line of navy, and promoted to such
position therein as the President may
determine. Mr.. Hobson's transfer from
fully warranted, he having received the
necessary technical training as a grad
uate of the Naval Academy, where he
stood number l IN his class, and such
action is recommended, partly in def
erence to what is understood to be his
own desire, although, he being now 4
prisoner in the hands of the enemy, no
direct communication on the subject
1a., L.
| for the reason that the abilities dis
played by. him at Santiago are of such
a character as 20 indicate especial fit
ness for the duties of the line.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, June %, 1898.
LIEUTENANT NEWCOMB AND
CAPTAIN HODGSON.
The second message was as follows:
To the Congress of the United States:
On the 11th day of May, 1898, there oc-
CURED a conflict in the bay of Car
denas, Cuba, in which the naval tor
pedo boat Winslow was disabled, her
commander wounded and one Of her
by the enemy's fire.
In the face of a most CALLING fire
from the enemy's guns the revenue
Lieutenant Frank B. Newcomb, rescued
the disabled Winslow, her wounded
commander and remaining crew. The
commander of the Hudson kept his yes
sci in the very hottest fire of the action,
although in constant danger of run
ming ashore on account of low waiter,
and finally made fast to the Winslow
and towed that vessel out of range of
=, of ,;,l NJ
lantry.
the signal act of heroism of First Lieu
tenant Frank B. Newcomb, United
States revenue cutter service, above Set
forth, the thanks of Congress be ex-
tended to him and to his officers and
men of the Hudson, and a gold medal
of honor be presented to Lieutenant
Newcomb, a silver medal of honor to
each member of his crew, who served
with him at Cardenas.
1t will be remembered that Congress,
by appropriate action, recognized the
several commanders of ships of war
for their services in the battle of Ma
Mia, May /, 1898.
The commander of the revenue cut
ter Hugh McCulloch, present and in
Commodore Dewey on that occasion
(by executive order under the provis-
ions of Section 2175, Revised Statues),
is the only commander of naval ship
to whom promotion or advancement
was not and could not be given, be-
cause he already held the highest rank
known to the revenue cutter service.
i now recommend that, in recogni-
ton to the efficient and meritorious SER
vices of Captain Daniel b. Hodgson,
United States revenue cutter service,
who commanded the Hugh McCulloch
at the battle of Manila that officer
being now in the 6:,d year of of his age.
and having served continuously for
thirty-seven years., be placed on the
permanent waiting orders of the retired
list of the revenue cutter service on
the full pay of his grade.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, June 21 1898
NAVAL CADET POWELL.
The President also sent the follow
ing communication to the Senate:
To the Senate of the United States:
/ nominate Naval Cadet Joseph b.
Powell to be advanced two numbers
under the provisions of Section 1506 of
sign in the navy, for extraordinary
heroism while in charge of the steam
launch which accompanied the collier
Merrimac for the purpose of reScuing
her gallant force when the vessel was