Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents - William McKinley, Messages, Proclamations, and Executive Orders - Relating to the Spanish-American War by William McKinley
page 66 of 182 (36%)
page 66 of 182 (36%)
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(that officer being now in the sixty-third year of his age and having
served continuously on active duty for thirty-seven years), he be placed upon the permanent waiting-orders or retired list of the Revenue-Cutter Service on the full-duty pay of his grade. WILLIAM McKINLEY. EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 27, 1898_. _To the Congress of the United States:_ On the morning of the 3d of June, 1898, Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond P. Hobson, United States Navy, with a volunteer crew of seven men, in charge of the partially dismantled collier _Merrimac_, entered the fortified harbor of Santiago, Cuba, for the purpose of sinking 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 entered that harbor. This enterprise, demanding coolness, judgment, and bravery amounting to heroism, was carried into successful execution in the face of a persistent fire from the hostile fleet as well as from the fortifications on shore. Rear-Admiral Sampson, commander in chief of our naval force in Cuban waters, in an official report dated "Off Santiago de Cuba, June 3, 1898," and addressed to the Secretary of the Navy, referring to Mr. Hobson's gallant exploit, says: As stated in a recent telegram, before coming here I decided to make the |
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