The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-03
NOT HOBSON.
4 Swedish Wrccking Company May
Try to save the Spanish ships.

\ SMculSn W IfthihR company Nay
Try To Save the Spanish ships.
WASHINGTON. Nov. IA meeting of
the Naval Board on Construction was
held to-day 10 consider the ACCESSIBILITY
Of continuing the attempt 10 save the
Cristobal Colon and also the project TO
float the Niscaya. lt was very evident,
VIXEN the board adjourned. that when it
meets again 10 decide the character of
its recommendations TO the Secretary of
the Navy the propositions Of Naval Con-
structor Richmond j.. Hobson to save
tho Viscaya will be rejected. and that
the board will agree to report adversely
on MIR HobsOn's scheme of taking the
wrecking operations out Of the hands
of a private concern and placing them
in his charge. Al yesterdays hearing
before the board Mr.. Hobson reiterated
the intention expressed while he was at
Santiago of appealing to the country
for funds 10 save the Spanish ships II
the Government declined 90 appropriate
any money for that purpose.
lie was reminded by a member of the
board that naval officer was amenable
10 discipline and that such AN appeal in
Shc face of decision not TO continue the
wrecking operations would not be toler-
yted. While thoroughly convinced that
the Viscaya Is beyond saving. the mem
bors OF the Board on Construction be-
NoVe that there is chance of floating the
CIist0bal Colon. They are opposed. how
over. 10 paying the present per diem al
loWance of $500 To the Mcrritt-Chapman
Wrccking Company now engaged IN the
attempt TO get the Colon on the rocHs.
and will probably recommend tina, the
company be allowed 20 continue its ei-
forts only on condition that it shall re-
ceive salvage II successful II Is believed
in naval circles that the Mcrritt-rnap-
man Company will not consent 20 do the
work under the condition proposed
The Board OF Construction believes mat
a needless expenditure of money Would
be involved II the government went INTO
the wrecking business Machinery. hpe-
cial wrecklng vessels and a large amount
Of material would have 10 be purchased
and taken 10 Santiago This would not
only cost much money. but would con-
sumo so much time that the Colon would
probably be beyond saving when work
was commenced I'm The event that the
Department adopts the board g recon
mendation concerning the Merri;t-Chap-
man Company and that concern declines
TO continue the work under the new con-
ditions. II IS likely that a contract will
be made with the Neptune Salvage Com
pany. Limited of Stockholm Sweden.
This wrecking concern. said 10 be one
OF the greatest and most successful IN the
world has made q proposition 10 the
Navy Department through T. A. Holm
berg. its American agent whose Office
IS al 100 Fifth avenue. New York 10 at
tempt 10 float the Colon and perhaps the
Viscaya on what Il terms the "No cure.
M pay" principle.
The Neptun Company offers 10 assume
al liability and responsibility In ITS ef-
forts. the United States % pay nothing
unless a ships or ships are saved. This
Is the concern that raised the British
battleship Howe IN the harbor of Ferral
Mr. Allen the Assstan. Secretary OF the
Navy. who attended the meeting OF the
Board of Construction to-day. has the
offer OF The Nepiun Company under adj
visemcnt. New York Sun.