A simple obelisk yet so poignant. This is the Hobson Monument. It stands as a silent testament to a tragedy at sea. A devastating collision 700 miles west of the Azores. The USS Hobson a Gleaves-class destroyer built right here in Charleston. It was commissioned shortly after World War II began.
The Hobson saw action in North Africa the western Atlantic and even at D-Day. Later it was converted into a destroyer-minesweeper. Near Okinawa it suffered heavy damage from kamikaze attacks. Repairs were completed after the war. Then it resumed duty with the Atlantic Fleet.
On April 26 1952 the Hobson was supporting the aircraft carrier USS Wasp. The Wasp was conducting flight operations. A miscalculation occurred on the Hobson’s bridge. The Hobson attempted a maneuver that crossed the Wasp’s bow. The Wasp struck the Hobson amidships. The collision was catastrophic. The Hobson split in two and sank in less than five minutes. 176 men were lost many asleep in their bunks.
This memorial wasn’t built by the government. It wasn’t meant to draw attention to a naval accident. The USS Hobson Memorial Society erected this monument. It was paid for by former shipmates families and friends of the lost sailors. One side describes the events of that fateful night. The other lists the names of those lost. It’s a simple monument but incredibly moving.
The platform is made of stones. These stones are collected from the 38 home states of the men lost. Each stone represents a life a family a community touched by this tragedy. The stones are a visual representation of the immense loss. A boy from Ohio a man from Texas one from California and so many more. Their lives scattered like these stones across the ocean floor.
The Hobson Monument stands here in Charleston. It’s a somber reminder of the risks taken by those who serve. It’s also a powerful tribute to the enduring bonds of camaraderie and remembrance. It’s a place of reflection a place to honor the 176 souls lost that night in the cold Atlantic. Take a moment to consider their sacrifice. Feel the weight of history under your feet. Let the stones of the Hobson Monument speak their silent story.