Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-09-17
THE PRESIDENT
Experiences Full Force Of
Wednesdays Terrific Storm.
Witnesses Loss Of Tug Near He'll Gate
Fate Of Crew Unknown.
Finally Lands at Ellis Island and
Makes Inspection.

New York, Sept. 16.-President
Roosevelt is resting quietly on his train,
tonight, after a day of strenuous and
varied experiences. While en- route
from Oyster Bay to New York on the
naval Yacht Sylph, he passed through
n terrifying wind and rain storm dur
ing which the vessel was in imminent
danger. Subsequently he visited the
Immigration station on Ellis Island,
New York bay and made thorough in
@pcctiOn of the institution.
Shortly after 10 o'clock, nearly an
hour later than had been arranged,
President Roosevelt boarded the Sylph
in oyster Bay. He was accompanied
by Mrs. Roosevelt and their son Kermit,
Mrs. Richardson. New York friend of
Mrs. Roosevelt, Secretary Loeb, Prot
Albert Bushelhart of Harvard College,
Prof. J. r. Moore of Columbia Univer-
sity, G. Grant Lafarge. New York,
Jacob A. Riis, of Richmond Hill, Long
Island. In addition the guests of the
president included members of the OK
ecutive staff and representatives of the
press associations.
AS the vessel drew out of the bay n
light rain fell. Less than an hour after
inc SyfDil !iiu entered Long iSlllHi
Sound, she ran into a terrific wind and
rain storm. OFF Fort Schuyler the
storm developed into a hurricane, blow
Y ing at the rate of Go miles an hour. The
President ard his guests went below
suffered but little Inconvenience.
AS the vessel neared Hell Gate the
waves and Wind swept the deck, maxi
ing it almost impossible for the sail9rsS
to REMAIN exposed IT, their forse; 4aThe
baggage of the party, consisting prin-
cipauysof bat boxes and dress SIT cases
= ere swept about the deck56tiM every
thing movable on deck haA3obe clewed
down to prevent it being eaNept over
board. So
In Hell Cate, a quarter afsa mile off
the port bow of the Sylph a 5tug beat
having in tow a large three-masted
schooner was capsized by the wind and
waves and sank stern foremost. a
small boat from the tug put off with
the crew except two men who chung to
the bow unit! the vess" disappeared.
1t appeared from the Sylph that the
two men were taken aboard the yawi.
Lieut.. Preston wished to stand by, but
Capt. Brainelrl, an experienced pilot,
who was at the wheel declared II
would be foolhardy. q
The naval tug PoWhattan ran alonE-
side the Sylph and Commander. Pound
stone suggested that q landing be made
at the. brooklyn navy yard. Lieut..
Preston reported to the President the
absolute impracticability of proceeding
to Ellis Island. Very reluctantly the
President consented. Mrs, Roosevelt
and several of the guests were. landed
at the Brooklyn navy yard. Rear Ad-
miral Rodgers, commandment of the
yard. went aboard the Sylph and after
consulting with the President it was
decided that the trip TO the island
could be made in safety. At 2.15. tn .
Sylph arrived off Ellis Island. The
President and his party wore landed
by 4 ting.
The President was welcomed by
commissioner of Immigration Williams
and conducted to the latter's office.
After the informal reception. Com
missioner Williams conducted the
Presidents party TO the restaurant
where luncheon was served.
At the conclusion of his inspection.
the President expressed his pleasure
mt the admirable condition of every
thing on the island and personally COM
plimented COMMISSIONS General Sar-
gent and Commissioner Williams on
the excellent work they had accom-
pished.
At Z o'clock tonight. the President
accompanied by secretary Loeb and
his personal attendants, went aboard
thr Svlph for dinner At 10 O'Clock.
they left for Jersey City on tug,
where they boarded the train for An
tietam.