El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-06-27
HONORS TO HEROES
Powell And Hobson Suitably Re.
COuniZed.

WASHINGTON, June 27.-The pre-.
sident sent to the senate today the
following messages:
To the senate OF the United States
nominate Naval Cadet Joseph F.
Powell to be advanced two
numbers and to be an ensign in
the navy for extraordinary
heroism while in charge of the steam
launch which accompanied the collier
Merrimac for the purpose of wrecking
her, when that vessel with its gallant
force, under the command of Naval
Constructor Hobson, was run into tb e
mouth of the harbor of Santiago de
Cuba on the third instant, and dex-
terously sunk in the channel.
(Signed) MCKINLEY.
To the congress of the United States:
On the morning of the third of June,
1898, Assistant Naval Constructor
Richmond P. Hobson, U. S. N, with .
volunteer crew of seven men in charge
of the practically dismantled collier
Merrimac, entered the fortified harbor
of Santiago for the purpose of sinking
the collier in the narrowest portion Of
the channel, thus interposing serious
obstacle to the egress of the Spanish
fleet, which had recently entered the
harbor.
This enterprise, demanding the cool
est judgment and bravery amountingto
heroism was carried into successful ex-
ecution in the face of persistent fire
rom the hostile feet as we'll as from
the fortifcations on shore.
The president quotes Rear Admiral
Sampson's official report, dated off
Santiago June 3, and continues:
The members of the crew with Mr..
Hobson on this memorable occasion
have already been rewarded for their
services. by that advancement which un-
der the provisions of the naval law and
the secretary of the navy
was authorized to make, and the nomf-
nation to the senate OF Naval Cadet
Powell, who in steam launch follow
ed the Merrimac son her perilous trip for
the purpose of rescuing the men after
the sinking of that vessel, to be advanc-
ed in rank to that of ensign, has been
prepared and will be submitte d.
In considering how to make suitable
q ward to Assistant Naval Constructor
Hobson for gallant conduct on the oc-
casion referred to, 1 have deemed it
proper to address this message to you
with the recommendation that he re-
ceiye the thanks of congress. and
further that he be transferred to the
line of the navy and promoted to such
position therein as the president by
and with the advice and consent of the
senate may determine.
Mr.. Hobson's transfer from the con-
corps to the line is fully war.
ranted, he having received the neces-
sary technical training as q graduate
of the naval academy. where he stood
one in his class, and such &C.
tion is recommended partly in de-
ference to what is understood to be his
own desire, although he be-
ing now q prisoner in the hards
of the enemy, no direct
on the subject has
been received from him, and partly
for the reason that the abilities dis
played by him at Santiago are of such
character as to indicate special fitness
for the duties of the line.
(SignedD WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
WASHINGTON, June 27.-The -presi-
dent sent third message to congress
gold medals for Lieu
torpedo boat Winslow, for bravery at
and that Captain Hodeson,
of the revenue cutter Nc
Cullough in the battle of Manila, be
retired on full pay.