The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-26
-TILED Is sTSTER.
HOBSON IS HOPEFUL.
Constructor Brings Plans for Saving
the Cristobal Colon and NiZcaya-

when the Boston EXPRESS drew into the
Grand Central Station at o'clock yes
terday afternoon there YVES rusn OF
waiting passengers and railway employees
to the end of the platform. whence they
could scan the line az arriving travellers.
They We're waiting for somebody, and az
length he came, a tall. bronzed young
man. whose photou aphed face Is tamil-
lar TO almost every person In the country
Lieutenant Richmond Pearson Hohson,
United States Navy hero Of the Merrl-
mac and a Spanish prison.
Mr. HObson walking with a chance
travelling acquaintance. appeared un-
mindful Of the inte' est Of which he was
the centre, lie went directly 10 the
Army and Navy Club. in West Thirty
drst street. and there, when I called,
talked Interestingly Of bis present Work
among the sunken Spanish ships on SAN
tiago Ii is in connection with this
duty that he is now In the United States.
lie arrived in Boston yesterday morning
on the fruit steamer Beverly and came
az once TO this city. Here he kept sew
eral business appointments at the Army
ana Navy Club and at midnight took the
train for washington. 90 report 90 the
Navy Department to-day. lie will re-
turn within a few days and viii remain
in this city about ten days.
Speaking Of the Spanish ships he said
the Maria Teresa would soon be IN United
States waters She should have left
Guantanamo for this country Sunday OF
Yesterday. he said, and would make the
voyage under her own steam and engines.
IL had been suggested, he explained
that the ship go 10 Boston ana New
York before proceeding TO the NorIoik
navy yard In those ports some Of the
1aI
this voyage could be removed. and thus
afford the public a chance 20 view the
warped and smoke begrimed structure az
tho battle left g..
The Cristobal Colon, he said. had not
been injured by the seas, and the pre-
Urinary work Of raising her had been
begun AS there was constant sea ana
surf OF the point where she lay he eN-
planned. operations would have 10 be di-
rected from the shore. Engines would
be placed on the beach. and q suspension
bridge constructed 10 the wreck. Tho
vessel would first be foated hv broyancy.
and then hauled into shallow water Tor
further work.
She IS lying on her side, and in cha e
me her position Do the water. Mr Hob
SON said measures must Oe taken to
prevent her from righting after enough
air had been introduced into tle hun t1
give it bouyancy. To this end "a fat
structure of sD7rs would Doe built over tie
vessel with series Of afr bags just bee
low and above thc water.
These air bags WIN need protection ana
to arrange for this is One ct the orrarta
that brings Alr hCbsln home. hts
IDEA. Doe slil. i3 90 have rle. cages enc
close the bags on calm days air can
ue forced flto them and li storm arises
L. ODD
cannot be- carried on except In calm
weather.
AS for TIE Vizcaya, he describes her as
3 structural wreck. yet he believes she
can be saved. lie SAYS that " She were
raisel tomorrow she would break in two.
shc can only be saved by building
Golfer dam around her. pumping out the
water nrd then strengthening her null
SO she can stand.
Tie says the Relna Mercedes, which
the Spaniards sunk IN Santiago narhor
10 block the channel can Doe saved with
out difficulty
These vessels arc valuable CONNER
clally." said .4r Hohson. 1.-THE Colon
Is worth 50 10000 and The cost OF raising
her must not exceed $4,000 The Viz
cava would be worth $2a0q0 fol after
getting her mp there would be tho cost
OF rebuilding her. Dut as-ie from th.l
there is the sentiment We be- the navy
believe lf it d. ln the realm Of engineering
TO preserve the vessels 20 the country
81 should be done and their names pre-
served and handed down 90 our nag we
ara going 10 have great work for the
navy. Tt is COINS 10 be the handmade
OF the nation in ms greatness, nd these
vessels ought 10 be raised % enlarge our
sea force"
SIR H0oson said he had been livins on
the wrecks or aboard the f0tiIla OF tu6si
but hal not been Il day. In fact, he
gl0ricd in mis- excellent health.
Near the Colon there is o. fine noun
tain stream. said ho. "and L plunge into
that cold water twice day and keep in
fine condition"
The young naval officer has o. sOO-
opinion of Cubans as workmen. He
told how the Americans Of Che expedi-
tions employed on the Maria Teresa and
Colon had suffered when entering the
huIs, hue1 as they We're with foul air.
IL was impossible 10 remain IN them
half an hour. he declared. and al this AN
the white men. as he called them. became
H. Then a force Of thirty Cu6ans were
employed. and they endured the work
well
Put good men over the Cubans and
direct them properly" be said, and my
experience IS lha. they do good work. '-
Meals