Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-28

arrived ana the preparations were
scarcely completed. After a careful
inspection of the final preparations !
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 pro-
pitious, as a prompt start could be
made. Nothing could have been more
CALAMITY executed. A careful inspec-
ton Of the harbor from this ship
showed that the MerTimac had been
sunk in the channel
Il cannot myself too eadnestly ex-
press my appreciation of the conduct
of Mr.. Hobson and his gallant crew. l
venture to say that a more brave and
daring thing has not been done since
Cushing blew up the Albemarle.
The members of the crew who were
with Mr.. Hobson on this memorable
occasion have already been rewarded
for their services by advancement
which, under the provisions of the law
and regulation, the Secretary of the
Navy was authorized to make; and
the nomination 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.
''The Cushing, with whose gallant act
in blowing up the ram Albemarle dur
ing the civil war, Admiral Sampson
compares Mr.. Hobson's sinking of the
Merrimac, received the thanks of Con-
gress upon the recommendation of the
President by name, and was in conse-
quence, under the provisions Of section
1903 of the revised statutes, advanced
one grade, such advancement embrac-
ing sc numbers. The section cited APP
plies, however, to line officers only, and
Mr.. Hobson, being a member of the
staff of the navy, could not under its
provisions be so advanced.
I'm considering the question of suit
ably rewarding Assistant Naval Con-
on the occasion referred to, l 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 as the President
by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate may determine. Mr.. Hob
| sons transfer from the construction
corps to the line is fully warranted, he
| having received the necessary technical
| training as a graduate of the naval
academy, where he stood number one in
! his class; and such action is recon-
mended, partly in Difference to what is
| understood to be his own desire, al
| though he being now prisoner in the
| hands of the enemy, no direct commun-
| ication on the subject has been received
from him and partly for the reason that
| the abilities displayed by him at Santl-
ago are Of such a character as to indi-
cate especial fitness for the duties OF
| the line.
"WTLLIAM MKINLEY."
| Executive Mansion. June n, 1898.
The second message was as follows:
To the Congress Of the United States:
On the 18th day of May, 1898, there
occurred a conflict in the bay OF Car
denas. Cuba, in which the naval tor
pedo boat Winslow was disabled. her
commander wounded and one of her
officers and a part of her crew killed
by the enemy's fire.
In the face of most CALLING fire from
the enemys guns the revenue cutter
Hudson. commanded by First Lieuten-
ant Frank H. Newcomb. Of the United
States revenue cutter service, rescued
the disabled Wlnslow. her wounded
commander and remaining crew. The
commander CT the Hudson kepe his
vessel in the very hottest fire Of tAe
action. although in constant danger OF
going ashore, on account of the shall
low water. until he finally got a line
made fast to the Winslow and towed
that vessel out of range Of the enemy
guns. a deed of special gallantry.
| recommend that in recognition OF
the signal act of heroism of First Lieu
tenant Frank H. Newcomb. of the
United States revenue cutter service
above set forth, the thanks of Congress
be extended to him and to his officers
and men of the Hudson: and that a
gold medal of honor be presented to
Lieutenant Newcomh silver medal OF