Richmond Pearson Hobson was born on 17 August 1870 in Greensboro, Alabama. He attended the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland and graduated in 1889. As a Naval Cadet, Hobson went to sea on the Squadron of the Evolution flagship Chicago. After this brief tour, he attended the French School of Naval Design, Paris, France. During his studies, Hobson was promoted on 1 July 1891 to Assistant Naval Constructor, with a relative rank (in relation to Line Officers) of Lieutenant (Junior Grade). After graduating from the School of Naval Design in 1893, he served afloat in the armored cruiser New York and ashore in shipyards before returning to the Naval Academy in 1897 to set up a postgraduate naval construction curriculum.
Assistant Naval Constructor Hobson's Spanish-American War service was particularly notable, gaining him enduring fame for heroism under fire. He led the eight volunteer crew members of the collier Merrimac, which Rear Admiral William T. Sampson ordered sunk to block the entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba. On the night of 2-3 June 1898, during the courageous attempt to execute this mission, Merrimac's steering gear was disabled by enemy gunfire, and she sank without obstructing navigation. Her crewmen were rescued by the Spanish and made prisoners-of-war. After the Battle of Santiago de Cuba destroyed the Spanish fleet a month later, Hobson and his shipmates were released.
After the war Hobson took part in the salvage of the Spanish cruisers Reina Mercedes and Infanta Maria Teresa. He was promoted to Naval Constructor, with the relative rank of Lieutenant, on 1 November 1898 and in January 1899 was sent to Hong Kong to oversee the reconstruction of former Spanish gunboats. On 16 March 1901, Naval Constructor Hobson was advanced 10 numbers in grade, which gave him the relative rank of Captain in the small Naval Construction Corps. His next assignments were at the Bureau of Construction and Repair in Washington, D.C., the New York Navy Yard and the Crescent Shipyard in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and at the Charleston Exposition. Due to ill health, he resigned from the Navy on 6 February 1903.
Hobson was elected to the House of Representatives from Alabama in 1906. As a Member of Congress during 1907-1915 he was a staunch advocate of naval expansion and sponsored legislation that established the position of Chief of Naval Operations. During the 1920s Hobson led various alcohol and narcotics awareness programs. On 29 April 1933, for his "extraordinary heroism" during the the Spanish-American War, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. By a special act of Congress in 1934, he advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral on the retired list. Richard P. Hobson died on 16 March 1937 at New York City and is buried at Arlington National Ceremony, Arlington, Virginia.
USS Hobson (DD-464), 1942-1952, was named in honor of Rear Admiral Richmond P. Hobson.
This page features the only images we have concerning Richmond P. Hobson.
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Photo #: NH 127 Naval Constructor Richmond P. Hobson Photographed during 1898. Hobson received the Medal of Honor in 1933 for his "extraordinary heroism" during the sinking of USS Merrimac on 3 June 1898. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 41KB; 510 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 49009 Naval Constructor Richmond P. Hobson, USN Painting made circa 1898. Hobson received the Medal of Honor for his role in the sinking of USS Merrimac on 3 June 1898. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 39KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: KN-10865 (color) Rear Admiral Richmond P. Hobson, USN (Construction Corps, Retired), (1870-1937) Oil on canvas, 52" x 40", by Olive Bigelow, dated 1937. Hobson received the Medal of Honor for his role in the sinking of USS Merrimac on 3 June 1898. He is depicted standing before an artwork of that event. Painting in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum Collection. Gift of Herbert Pell, 1949. Official U.S. Navy Photograph. Online Image: 51KB; 590 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-KN-10865 |
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Photo #: NH 54150 USS Chicago (1889-1935) Junior Officers and Naval Cadets on board in 1889, when the ship was serving with the Squadron of Evolution. Present are (as numbered): U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 58KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 54151 USS Chicago (1889-1935) Ship's Officers and Officers of the Squadron of Evolution on board in 1889. Those present are identified in Photo # NH 54151 (complete caption). U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 241KB; 1200 x 990 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 79954 USS Merrimac Operation, 3 June 1898 Halftone reproduction of a photograph, published in "Deeds of Valor," Volume II, page 370, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907. This image shows an artistic interpretation of the scuttling of USS Merrimac across the entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba, with portraits of her crew on this mission. The crew members from upper left to right are Lieutenant Richmond P. Hobson, Coxswain Claus K. R. Clausen (note: official sources state Clausen's first name to be Claus, not Randolph), Coxswain Osborn W. Deignan, Watertender Francis Kelly. The crew members from lower left to right are Coxswain John E. Murphy, Chief Master-At-Arms Daniel Montague, Machinist First Class George F. Phillips, and Gunner's Mate First Class George Charette. All the crew members received the Medal of Honor for this operation. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 87KB; 585 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 1482 Morro Castle, Santiago, Cuba, 1898 Cell where Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond P. Hobson, USN, was confined after the sinking of USS Merrimac on 3 June 1898, during the Spanish-American War. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 70KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 1489 Prisoner Exchange Tree, Santiago, Cuba, 1898 This Cieba Tree is where Assistant Naval Constructor Hobson and his fellow USS Merrimac crew members were exchanged for Spanish prisoners-of-war on 6 July 1898. Hobson and his crew were held in Spanish captivity after the sinking of Merrimac on 3 June 1898. The articles of surrender of Santiago were also prepared and signed under the tree. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 80785 Infanta Maria Teresa (Spanish Cruiser, 1890-1898) Assistant Constructor Richmond P. Hobson (in pith helmet) and Captain Caspar F. Goodrich (Commanding Officer, USS Newark) on the deck of the wrecked Spanish cruiser, while she was being salvaged, 14 September 1898. The tug I.J. Merritt is alongside. One of Infanta Maria Teresa's eleven-inch guns is also visible. Copied from the scrapbook of William D. Edwards, by courtesy of Robert W. Edwards, 1974. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 580 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 80786 Infanta Maria Teresa (Spanish Cruiser, 1890-1898) Assistant Constructor Richmond P. Hobson (in pith helmet) and Captain Caspar F. Goodrich (Commanding Officer, USS Newark) discussing salvage work on the deck of the wrecked Spanish cruiser, 15 September 1898. The fighting top of one of Infanta Maria Teresa's collapsed masts is lying on deck in the background. Copied from the scrapbook of William D. Edwards, by courtesy of Robert W. Edwards, 1974. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 600 pixels |
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Medal of Honor citation of Lieutenant Richmond Pearson Hobson (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 75): |
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 16 May 2006