The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-28
Recommending Recognition of OFF,
Displayed Much GaIia4try.
R. P. HOBSON ANDF H. NEWCOMB
MENTIONED AS DESERVING THE
THANKS OF THE NATION.
Promotion for the Former and Cadet
Full Pay-ChanneI Not Blocked.

WASHINGTON, June 27.--The President
to-day sent two special messages to Con-
gress providing for recognition of the serv-
ices of Lieutenant Hobson, the hero of the
Merrimac, of Lieutenant Newcomb and crew
of the revenue cutter Hudson. which res
cued the torpedo boat Winslow at Carde-
mas of Captain Hodgsdon of the dispatch
boat Hugh McCulloch, which figured in the
battle at Manila, and of Naval Cadet Jo-
seph Wright Powell, who held the steam
launch under the bluffs at Santiago harbor,
searching for the crew of the Merrimac.
Authority is asked of the Senate for the
transfer of Hobson from the construction
corps to the line of the navy, and the Presi-
dent announces that with authority given
he will by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate, suitably advance Hobson in
the line The Hudsonfs crew is to be given a
vote of thanks and medals of comemmora-
ton. Captain Hodgsdon is to be suitably
recognized. The President in mentioning
Hobson, cites the fact that the crew with
him already have beenspromoted. The mes
sage in relation to Hotson follows:
70 the Congress of the United States:
On the morning of the Sd of June, 1898,
Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond P.
Hobson United States navy, with voIun-
teer crew of seven men, in charge of the
partially dismantled collier Merrimac, en-
tered the fortified harbor of Santiago, Cuba,
for the purpose of sinking the collier
in the narrowest portion of the channel and
thus interposng a serious obstacle to the
egress of the Spanish fleet which had re-
Gently entered that Hafbor. - This enterprise
demanding GOODNESS. Judgment and bravery
amounting to heroisrn, wasScarried into sue
cesstuI execution in the face of persistent
all
the notifications on shore. Rear Admiral
sampson. commander-in-chiefO of our naval
force in Cuban waters in an official report
dated off Santiago de Cuba, June 8. 1898
and addressed to the secretary of the navy
referring to Mr.. Hobsons gallant exploit,
says:
AS stated in recent telegram, before
coming here l decided to make the harbor
entrance secure against the possibility of
the narrow part Of the entrance by sinking
collier at that point. Upon calling on Mr..
Hobson for his professional opinion as to a
sure method of sinking the ship, he mani
rested a most lively interest in the prob
lem. After several dayS consideration he
presented a solution which he considered
would insure the Immediate sinking of the
ship when she had reached the desired point
in the channel The plan contem-
plated a crew of only seven men and Mr..
Hobson begged that it might be in
trusted to him. As soon as l reached San
tago and had the collier to work upon, the
details were commenced and diligently pros
as the moon and tide served best the first
night after Our ARRIVAL Notwithstanding
every effort, the hour of 4 O'Clock in the
morning. arrived with the preparations
scarcely completed After careful inspec-
ton 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 M propitious, as prompt start could
be made. Nothing could have been more
CALAMITY executed. y A careful in
spection of the harbor from this ship showed
that the Merrimac had been sunk in the
channel. l cannot myself too earnestly ex-
press my appreciation of the conduct of M.
Hobson and his gallant crew. venture
to say that a more brave and daring thing
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 serv-
ice by advancement, which, under the pro-
visions of law and regulation. the secretary
of the navy was authorized to make; and
the nomination to- the Senate of Naval
Cadet Powell. who in steam launch, fol-
lowed the Merrimac on her perilous trip for
the purpose of rescuing her crew after the
sinking Of the vessel to be advanced in rank
to the grade of ensign, has been prepared
and will be submitted.
Gushing, With whose gallant act in blow
ing up the ram Albemarle during the civil
war, Admiral Sampson compares Mr.. Hob
sons sinking of the Merrimac, received the
thanks of Congress upon recommendation of
the PRESIDENT, by name, and was in conse-
quence under the provisions of Section 1858
grade, such advancement embracing fifty
six numbers. The section cited, applies,
son, being a member of the staff of the
navy, could not, under its provisions, be so
I'm considering the question of suitably
reWarding Assistant Naval Constructor
Hobson for his gallant conduct on the oc-
ccasion referred to ]. have deemed it proper
10 address this message to you with the
recommendation that he receive the thanks
OF Congress and further, that he be trans
fferred 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 TIE construction corps to the
line is fully warranted he having received
the necessary technical training as a grad
uate of the Naval Academy, where he stood
No. in his class, and this action is recon-
mended, partly in Difference to what is un-
derstood 20 be his own desire, although, he
being now a prisoner in the hands of the
enemy, no diree communication on the sub
Ject has been received from him, and part
~ for the reason that the abilities displayed
by him al Santiago are of such character
as to Indicate especial fitness for the duties
of the line. WILLIAM M'KINLEY,
Executive Mansion, June 81"
NEWCOMB, HODGSON, POWELL
The second message of the President was
as follows: et.o
'"ro the Congress of the United States:
ION the 18th day of May, 1898, there oc-
Cured a conflict in the Bay of Cardenas
Winslow was disabled, her commander
wounded, and one of her officers and part
of Der crew killed, by the enemys fire. In
the face of most CALLING fire from the enc
my'S guns the revenue cutter Hudson, COM
manded by First Lieutenant Frank II. New
comb. United States revenue cutter service,
rescued the disabled Winslow, her wounded
commander and remaining crew. The COM
mander of the Hudson kept his vessel in the
very hottest fire of the action, although in
constant danger of going ashore on account
of the shallow water, until he finally got
line made fast to the WinsloW and towed
that vessel out of range of the enemys
guns. deed of special gdllantry.
Il recommend that, in recognition of the
Frank H. Newcomb. United States revenue
cutter service. above set forth. the thanks
of Congress be extended TO him and to his
officers and the men of the Hudson. and
that gold medal of honor be presented to
Lieutenant Newconfb, a silver medal of
honor to each of his officers. and bronze
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 serv-
ices in the battle of Manila, May l, 1888 The
commander of the revenue cutter Hugh
McCulloch. present and in active co-opera-
on that occasion (hy executive order under
the provisions of Section 2707 Revised Stat
ures). is the only commander of a national
ship to whom promotion advancement
not and could not be given because ne
already held the highest rank known to the
revenue cutter service. / now recommend
that, in recognition of the efficient and
meritorious services of Capt. Daniel b.
Hodgsdon. United States revenue cutter serv-
ice. who commanded the Hugh McCulloch