New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-10
BRYAN'S NARROW ESCAPE.
CHngs to a S7caWng Ladder at the
Ccltic'S Side.

When William J. Bryan was being transferred
to the tug c. p Raymond at Quarantine he
came near being dropped overheard. When he
was hailed from the tug Mr.. Bryan looked at
the tossing Jacobs ladder that had been dropped
over the side. and called TO the committee. Not
for me. II you please"
After some delay the Raymond was brought
alongside the doctors boat From the roof Of
the deckhouse of this boat there was a ladder.
which was pirouetting all over the deck despite
the efforts Of two men to hold it fast at top
and bottom. With a never-say -dle expression
Mr.. Bryan began to crawl slowly down the
ladder When half way down, the boat was
tossed by the swell OF passing tugs. The lad
der then heaved up and down about dozen
feet each way. and twisted first to side and
then to the other. Mr.. Bryan took no chances.
but chung to the ladder as tightly as he clngs
to his Presidential aspirations BY the time the
swell subsidized Mr. Bryan looking seasck.
He was followed down the ladder with more ex-
petition by his son.
Before Mr. Bryan had been safely landed on
the tug. the revenue cutter Macklnac had
smashed her fantail. and thrown the diminished
and half frozen reception committee off their
feet The tug, the revenue cutter and the doc
tors boat all trying to get n line the
Celtic at the same time. The tug crowded in
ahead Of the other boats after she had been
warned to stand off until the boarding and
Health Officer had gone aboard. She finally got
to port of the cutter. Captain jim Bradley
shouted to her to keep off, but the Raymond
rapidly gathered sternway and crashed into the
cutter. The cutter not damaged, but her
bow cut deep into the fantail of the tug. Even
then the tug managed TO get alongside the doc
tors boat and get Mr. Bryan off before the
customs officials had gone on board the Celtic
Had not the cutter also had considerable stern
way that accident would have been serious
The troubles of the Maciinac were by no
means over then None OF the boarding officers
cared to climb the unsteady ladder to the steam
ers decks, thirty feet above them.
Boarding Officer Little, who was in charge
hailed the third officer.
open the after port. so that we can board
you he called out.
I'VE caWn't do it, sir the reply.
Where's Captain Lindsay?' asked Little
Il don't know. SIR answered the officer.
why don't you open that after port? 1 want
II opened Immediately demanded Little.
Sorry, sir. but l really Cawn't SIR said the
Engllshman
why not?'
Il cawnt. sir, because she is closed, sir don't
v know"
Little by this time was getting angry at the
Englishman. MY compliments TO Captain Lind
say, and tell him that I wish the after port on
the port side opened for US
Very well, sir" said the cockney. AS soon as
Captain Lindsay received the message he re-
turned his compliments to Little and ordered the
port opened after the officers had been DELAYED
for about twenty minutes.
Incidental to the other troubles of the morn
ing. three reporters. two health officers and a
passenger lost their hats overheard while the
Celtic was being boarded.