The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-31

United States Flagship West Virgin
ia. October 81, via New Orleans, Octo-
Der 27.-By wireless.-At II O'Clock
last evening, through confusion OF
signals, the fruit steamer Esparta col
lfded with the lighthouse tender Mag
nolia, (which was conveying the Presl-
dent, Secretary Loeb and DR.. RiXey
to the cruiser West Virginia. The
rail and port bow of the Magnolia
were damaged, and two or three holes
made in the hull below the water line.
No one was hurt. The Magnolia I'M
mediately upon being struck was
beached, her bow being high and Try.
After a careful examination Of the
damage to the vessel it was evident
that there was no danger, and the
President and party went to bed. Ma.
jor Craighill of the United States en-
gineers, was aboard the Magnolia. His
ship, the Ivy, a sister ship of the Mag
nolia, had preceded the Magnolia and
was some distance ahead. A boat vas
Immediately put Off for the nearest
telephone, about q mile and a half
away and the order given to head the
Ivy off at Pilot station n have her
return for the President and his par
ty. The transfer was made at 3 O'Clock
this morning. The vessel got under
way Immediately, and the West VIZ
giDia was boarded on schedule time
New Orleans. October PLATTER a
narrow escape from losing his life IN
an early morning collision. in which
the lighthouse tender Magnolia. on
which he was travelling was struck by
the steamer Esparta, and so much
damaged that he had to abandon ner,
the President is now safe on board he
armored cruiser West Virginia, bound
for Hampton Roads. Neither the
President nor any member Of his party
YVES injured in the accident.
The first news OF the accident reach
ed New Orleans by telephone early this
morning in an appeal for help from
Captain Rose o: the United States
Fruit Company's steamer Esparta
which came from Nairn, La, near
where the accident occurred. His re-
port gave no details
The Magnolia left here at $50 last
night, and the Esparta was due to ar
rive today at Cnalmette. the wealth
er was fine, with comparatively little
wind on the river. Immediately upon
the receipt Of the news, communlca-
ton was opened with tug owners mere
and the powerful tugs r. Wilmot and
B. D. Wood left New Orleans shortly
after 4 o'clock this. morning with CT
ders to go at full speed to the scena
of the accident.
Meantime, however, the Presidents
party had managed to get in commu-
nication with the lower part OF the
river where it was known that toe
lighthouse tender Ivy was lying. Al
one o'clock the operator at Pilot Town
was rung up by Major Craigh1ll, the
government engineer, with orders That
the Ivy should be sent to Sixty Mile
point with all possible speed. The Ivy
Immediately got underway and covered
the forty miles n rapid time.
President Roosevelt, Secretary LoeE
and Surgeon RiXey, with their baggage
were at once transferred and the IVY
proceeded down the river. At S:l5 tne
Ivy passed Pilot Town on her Way
down, signalling that the President and
party were on board and that all were
well.
The Ivy reached the West Virginia
at $40 and the President at once wen1
aboard.
The lighthouse tender Ivy returned
from the sea after putting PresidenI
Roosevelt on board and stopped a
Pilot Town. Those on board reported
that the West Virginia had sailed a
1905. They said that the Presiden
was in excellent spirits, and unshaker
by the accident.
At the time Of the accident at 1.
o'clock the President, absolutely worI
out by his strenuous experience il
r New Orleans, was fast asleep. Ill
had turned in shortly after the yes
sci left New Orleans. The WI ship
were near the west shore when the,
came in contact in an effort to avol
running into each other. The prov
of the Esparta struck the Magnoli'
on the port bow. 1t was not known T.
what extent the Magnolia might nav
hpnn lnjIIFQ6 and fhoro uoc ur0qf hast