The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-27
MESSAGES TO CONGRESS
President Asks That HObsOn Be
Suitably Rewarded.

To the Congress of the United States.
On the morning of the third of June,
1898, Assistant Naval Constructor Rich
mond P. Hapson. U. S. N. with a voIun-
teer crew of seven men, in charge of
the partially dismantled collier ''Mer-
| rlmac, entered the fortified harbor of
santiago, Cuba, for the purpose of sink
| ing the collier in the narroWest portion
of the channel and thus interposing a
serious obstacle to the egress of the
spanish fleet which had recently enter
| ed that harbor. This enterprise de-
| manding GOODNESS, Judgment and bray-
cry, amounting to heroism, was carried
| INTO successful execution in the face of
| a persistent fire from the hostile fleet
! as well as from the Notifications on
| shore.
Rear Admiral Sampson, commander
| tn-chief of our naval force in Cuban
! waters, in an official report dated off
| Santiago de Cuba, June g. 1898" and
| addressed to the secretary of the navy
referring to Mr.. Hobson's- gallant ex-
| plot says:
| LAS stated in a recent telegram be-
tore coming here, decided to make the
harbor entrance secure against the
| possibility OF egress of the SDanish
| ships by obstructing the narrow part of
| the entrance by sinking a collier at that
point. Upon calling upon Mr. Hobson
Tor MS professional opinion as to a sure
method of sinking the ship, he mani
! rested most lively interest in the
problem. After several days considera-
ton ne presented a solution which he
sinking of the ship, when she had reach
ed the desired point in the channel,
THE plan contemplated crew of only
seven men, and Mr. Hobson who beg
ged that it might be entrusted to him
AS soon as reached Santiago and
mad the collier to work upon the details
were commenced and diligently prose-
cuted, hoping to complete them in one
day, as the moon and tide served best
the first night after our arrival. Not
Withstanding every effort, the hour of
a q 1ir1fr
the preparations We're scarcely compile
ted. After a careful inspection of the
final preparations, L was forced to re-
llnqu1sh the plan for that morning, as
dawn was breaking. Mr.. HobSon begged
to try it at all hazards.
This morning proved more propiti-
Gus as a prompt start could be made
Nothing could have been more gallant
ly executed. a careful inspection of the
harbOr from this ship showed that the
Merrimac had been sunk in the chan
mel
Il cannot myself too earnestly ex-
press my appreciation of the conduct of
Mr.. Hobson, and his gallant crew. I
venture to say that a more brave and
daring deed has not been done since
Gushing blew up the Albemarle.''
The members of the crew who were
with Mr.. Hobson on this memorable oc-
casiOn have already been rewarded for
their services, by advancement which,
under the provisions of the law and reg
ulations, the secretary of the navy was
to the senate of Naval Cadet Powell, |
who in a steam launch followed the |
Merrimac on her perilous trip for the |
purpose of reScuing her force after the !
sinking of that vessel to be advanced in |
rank to the grade of ensign has been
prepared and will be submitted Cush- |
ing, with whose gallant act in blowing |
up the ram Albemarle, during the civ
il war, Admiral Sampson compares Mr. |
Hobson's sinking of the Merrimac re- |
ceived the thanks of congress upon re-
~ n n no
and was in consequence under the pro-
visions of section 1903 of the revised
statutes, advanced one grade, such adj
Vancement, embra cling Sc mum bers The
section cited applies, however, to line
officers only. and Mr.. Hobson being a
member of the staff of the navy, cannot
under its provisions, be so advanced
In considering the question of suit
ably rewarding Assistant Naval Con-
structor HObson for his valiant conduct
on the occasion referred to, I 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 to
the line of the navy and promoted to
such position therein 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 necessa-
rily technical training as a graduate Of
the naval academy, where he stood
IS recommended partly in Difference to
what is understood to be his own de-
sire, although he being now a prisoner
in the hands of the enemy no direct |
received from him and partly for the
reason that the abilities displayed by
1im at Santiago are of such a character
IS to indicate special fitness for the du-
lies of the line. (Signed.)
VIM. MCKINLEY,
Executive mansion, June 81, 1898.
The second message was as follows:
To the Congress of the United States
On the 18th day of May. 1898, there
a conflict in the bay of Car
1enas, Cuba, in which the naval tor
0edo boat 'WinSlow" was disabled her |
commander wounded and one of her
BY the enemy's fire.
In the face of a most CALLING fire
rom the enemy's guns, the revenue
eued the disabled ''Winslow,'' her
wounded commander and remaining 1
rev. The commander of the Hudson
Kept his vessel in the very hottest fire
# the action, although in constant dan !
ger of going ashore on account of the
shallow water, until he finally got a
inc made fast to the ''WinsloW'' and
owed that vessel out of range of the :
enemys guns, deed of special gal
antry. ,
I recommend that in recognition of !
he signal act of heroism of First Lieu ,
enant Frank H. Newcomb United
states revenue cutter Service above set
orth, the thanks of congress to be ex- 1
ended to him and to his officers and | :
1en of the Hudson and a gold medal |,
f honor be presented Lieut.. Newcomb | {
silver medal of honor to each of his $
Ulcers and a bronze medal of honor to i
ach member of his crew who served | Y
With him at CardenaS. !
1t VIII be remembered that congress. by I~r
ppropriate action, recognized the sew
q of fOT- |
heir services in the battle of Manila,
lay 1, 1898.
The commander of the revenue cutter
Iugh McCulloch. present and in active |
or b % / 3