Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-11-02
CLAD IN PAJAMAS HE ASSUMES
COMMAND OF THE SINKING
VESSEL.
GREAT PRESENCE OF MIND
SAVES LIVES OF HIMSELF AND
OTHERS ON BOARD BY
PROMPT ACTION.

New Orleans, Oct 29.-In an effort to
avoid running aground at sharp turn
in the Mississippi river, sixty miles be-
low here, the British fruiter Esparta
of the United Fruit company's fleet,
collided with the lighthouse tender
Magnolia, which was conveying Presi-
dent Roosevelt, Secretary Loeb and
DIR. Rixey to the cruiser West Vir-
glnla, lying at anchor awaiting the
presidents arrival three miles off the
mouth of the river.
The accident occurred at II o'clock
Thursday night in bright moonlight,
and almost cost the president his life.
He only escaped after Re had taken
command of the Magnolia while clad
, in his pajamas, with biting wind
almost chilling him to the bone.
Mr.. Roosevelt and the members of his
party were finally transferred to the
Ivy, a sister ship of the Magnolia, at
o'clock yesterday morning and
boarded the West Virginia on schedule
time.
President Is the Hero.
That the president or some one else
was not drowned is miraculous, and
due to the remarkable presence of
mind OF Mr.. Roosevelt The strenuous
day he spent in New Orleans the day
preceding the accident fatigued him
so much that he retired two hours af-
ter leaving this city for the trip to the
gulf. He was sound asleep in a state
room located we'll forward. The Es-
partas PROV smashed through the
Magnolia's bow within a foot or two
of where the president was sleeping.
The force of the collision was so great
that he was almost thrown out of bed.
Mr.. Roosevelt hastily drew on his
trousers, and further clad in paiama
shirt and slippers, he sailed forth on
deck, the coolest man aboard either
the Magnolia or Esparta. He gave
orders to run the Magnolia on the
hank to beach her and prevent her
from sinking in probably 200efeet of
water. After the ship was put in a
safe position he assured himself that
there was no further danger, and with
his customary disregard for his per-
sonal safety he deliberately went back
to bed after remarking that it was a
strenuous birthday for him, as he was
forty-seven years old yesterday.
Sends for another Vessel.
The first news of the accident was
received here yesterday morning about
daylight in long distance telephone
message from Capt Rose OF the Espar.
ia, who asked that tugs be Immediately
sent to the assistance of the Magnolia.
Two tugs left under forced draught,
but before their arrival the president
had been transferred to the Ivy.
The transfer was made in a life.
boat, which was brought up alongside
the Magnolia and rowed to the Ivy
which had been intercepted and or.
dered back for the purpose from Pilot
Town by telephone message. A
boat was sent ashore Immediately at
ter the accident to communicate with
the Ivy, as the president did not want
to defer his trip longer than necessary
Spoken Off Pensacola.
Pensacola, Fla, Oct. 29.-The cruis
err West Virginia. with President
Roosevelt on board, was spoken yes
terday by wireless telegraphy, the
ship at the time being about 300 miles
off. The message was received at the
Pensacola navy yard and stated thai
the West Virginia would reach Key
West Saturday night.