The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-31
PRESIDENT AND HIS GUESTS HAVE
4 NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH

grounded, but the Esparta got of I'M
der her own steam and was found
aot 10 have suffered n damage.
The President showed no excite
ment when informed of the extent vi
the disaster though he was somewhat
annoyed by the probability OF a delay.
because it was evident that the Mag
nolia could not proceed On the vas
He dressed Immediately and those o:
bis party hurriedly made arrangements
Tor his transfer TO the Ivy. which was
Intercepted and brought back to tie
scene of the accident. Except for the
loss of some sleep the President suf-
fered nothing by the collision.
The whole party transferred TO -ha
Ivy, that vessel was speeded down the
river, meeting with no further mishap
Immediately upon hearing the &C.
c1dent and escape of the President,
Mayor Behrman sent the following
dispatch by wireless to the President:
New Orleans, Oct. q.
president THEODORE ROOSIc-
WELT, Aboard Cruiser West Viz
ginia.
New Orleans is overjoyed to learn
that o and yOCr party escaped with
ont injury and regrets inexpressIbly
the discomfort the accident occasion4d.
We pray that your voyage home Will
be safe and delightful.
(Signedl MARTIN BEHRMAN,
Mayor"
Governor Blanchard sent the follow
Ing:
"New Orleans. Oct. 27, 1905.
president ROOSEVELT,
Aboard Cruiser West Virginia.
People of Louisiana regret accident
Of last night. Rejoice it had no Sc
rious consequences. Trust your voy-
age to Washington will be pleasant
and devoid Of further mishaps.
(Sigaed) IN. =. BLANCHARD,
Governor"
The captain Of the Esparta refus-
ed to make any statement to the pub
lie, as his vessel is under a British
flag and he must submit his reporL 70
the British consul. The United Fruit
Company. to which the vessel is char
tered, however. tonight issued the fol
lowing statement
The Esparta sighted a vessel, after
ward found to be the Magnolia. The
Magnolia blew TWO whistles, signifying
her Intention of passing to starboard
which was answered by the Esparta,
which latter vessel continued On up
the river. At Inc time of such signal
she was within 100 feet of the west
bank of the river. About two minutes
after the Magnolia blew the first sig
nal, she blew one whistle, signifylng
her intention of changing her course
n crossing to the inside Of the Is
parta.
The pilot Of the Esparta, seeing
dengar in such action, blew whistles,
and also the danger signal of three
whistles, signifying the danger of such
q move on the part Of the Magnolia,
as the pilot Of Esparta was aware OF
the fact that there was not enough
roO between the vessel and the
bank of the river for the Magnolia to
pass, as he had taken his ship in as
close as possible so as to leave plenty
Of room in the middle of the river
for the Magnolia, and had the Magno-
liza adhered to her original signal and
intention of passing to %starboard
would have passed clear, as the river
was over half a mile wide at that point.
Instead Of this, the Magnolia hauled
to on port, and the two vessels col
lided. The Esparta struck the Magno-
liza on the port side, about twenty
fee above the bows and considerable
damage was done the Magnolia"