28100a. (stereoview) Richmond Pearson Hobson “The Hero of the Merrimac” c.1898 by Strohmeyer & Wyman Publishers, New York. Richard Hobson was born in Alabama, Hobson graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1889. Hobson then served at various Navy Yards and facilities, including a tour of duty as instructor at the Naval Academy. In the early days of the Spanish American War, he was with Admiral William T. Sampson in New York, and arrived off Santiago on June 1, 1898. In order to bottle up the Spanish squadron, Hobson took temporary command of collier Merrimac, which he would attempt to sink as an obstruction in the channel. The attempt was made early June 3rd under heavy Spanish fire, which disabled the steering gear of the collier. Hobson did sink the Merrimac, but was unable to place her in the shallowest part of the channel. With his intrepid crew of six, he was picked up by Admiral Cervera himself, and treated quite chivalrously for his gallant expedition. Hobson was advanced ten numbers in grade after the war for his heroics and later, in 1933 was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic attempt to block the channel was made a rear admiral by act of Congress. He later became a naval architect, author, and lecturer; and was elected as a Democrat to the Sixtieth and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1907-March 3, 1915). Clear, close view shows Hobson as a young man shortly after his war exploits posing on a pier with ships behind. Nice view, light wear, excellent historical Naval image. (VG+). $44.