The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-11-03
ROOSEVELT In A
CRASH OF SHIPS
Vessel Run Aground to Save Execu-
tiye'S Life.
COLLISION WAS In THE DARK.
Owing to Misunderstanding of Signals
the Lighthouse Tender Magnolia and the
Pruiter Esparta Come Together Below New
Orleans While the. President SIept-The
Magnolia Ran Ashore.

New Orleans, La, (SpeciaD After a
narrow escape in losing his life in col
lision between the lighthouse tender
Magnolia and the fruit steamer Esparta,
the former having been beached to pre-
vent her sinking, President Roosevelt is
now safe and uninjured aboard the
armored cruiser West Virginia. No one
aboard either vessel was injured. The
President was taken on board the Es-
parta, which struck bottom, while the
Magnolia, with holes in her hull, was
run aground to prevent her sinking. The
collision occurred at IL P. M. while the
President was asleep.
This is the most strenuous birthday
l have ever known" said President
Roosevelt about midnight, when he took
command of the tender Magnolia, in
which he was going to the Passes to
meet the battleship West Virginia,
beached her safely on the river bank,
and prevented her from going down in
the middle of the Mississippi.
1t was closer shave than the Presi-
dent himself was aware of, for the Mag
nilia had three big holes in her hull as
the result of her collision with the
steamship, one four feet long just above
the water line. and the breeze that was
blowing rendered her situation critical.
1t was fortunate, too, that the Magnolia
was nearer the right, or west, side OF
the river, where there are shelving banks
on which she could conveniently be
beached and prevented from sinking
whereas the east bank is precipitous, and
,f he 1aJ boz 1,ar o1,s
would have been many feet under water.
1t was a startling finish to most ex-
citing day. The President was fatigued
by his strenuous reception in New Or
leans, and the Magnolia had scarcely
got into midstream when he announced
his intention of retiring and getting a
good nights rest. The Magnolia steamed
safely down stream until she reached the
neighborhood of Marin, about 65 miles
below, when she encountered the Es
parta, of the United Fruit Company,
coming up the river Both of the YES
sells were towards the east bank of the
river. Captain Proctor, of the Magnolia,
signaled to the Esparta to get out of the
way, as the President had the right OF
way. Through some unexplained mis-
take the signal was misunderstood, and
the Esparta kept straight on, colliding
with the government vessel, striking her
on the port bow, about 10 feet from her
nose.
1t was a severe shock, both vessels
being badly damaged One of the sailors
of the Magnolia was thrown from his
berth and his leg broken, and everybody
aboard the vessel was aroused by the
crash OF glass.
The President was among the first on
deck, and at once took command. The
captain and crew were in a great state
of excitement, and the President and
Secretary Loeb, who has apparently
learned some of his GOODNESS, were de-
cidedly the calmest of the party. At the
Presidents suggestion the Magnolia was
run ashore, and was soon resting on the
shelving shore, where there was no pos
sibility of her sinking The Esparta was
similarly beached, and the two vessels
spent the night close together.
After the accident the President re-
tired to rest again, and enjoyed good
nights sleep.