The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-27
NARROW ESCAPE.
President Roosevelt Caught in a
River Collision.
Boat on Which He Left New
Orleans Vas Rammed.
SHE WAS RUN ASHORE.
Party Was Transferred to a
Lighthouse Tender
And Conveyed to the West
Virginia on Time.
NOBODY WAS INJURED.
The President Was Asleep When
Accident Occurred.
He Is Now at Sea Bound for
Hampton Roads.
Party Was Transferred to a
Lighthouse Tender
And Conveyed to the West
Virginia on Time.
NOBODY WAS INJURED.
The President Was Asleep When
Accident Occurred.
He Is Now at Sea Bound for
Hampton Roads.

United States Flagship West Virginia,
Oct. 2T-Cvia New Orleans. by wireless.)
At II o'clock last evening through
confusion of signals the fruit steamer
Esparta coIlided with the lighthouse
tender Magnolia, which was conveying
the president, Secretary Loeb and Dr..
Rixey to the cruiser West Virginia.
The rail and port bow of the Magnolia
was damaged and two or three holes
made in the vessel below the water
line. No one was hurt. The Magnolia
Immediately on being struck was
beached, her bow being high and dry.
After a careful examination of the
damage to the vessel it was evident
that there was no danger and the pres
ident and his party went on board. Ma
jor Craighil 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 was
Immediately put off for the nearest tel
ephone, about a mile and a half away.
and the order given to head the Ivy off
at Pilot station and have her return for
the president and his party. The trans
/ fer was made at o'clock this morning.
The vessel got under way Immediately
and the West Virginia was boarded on
SeneQule time.
New Orleans, oct. 27.-The lighthouse
officers here have received the following
i dispatch from Commander James H.
Sears, u S. N, dated Nairen, La:
The lighthouse tender Magnolia was
struck on the port side at Il p. m. Oe-
tober Is, by the steamship Esparta near
Sixty Mile Point. NO one was injured
The Magnolia was grounded. The pres
fident and party transferred to the
lighthouse tender Ivy which was accom-
panying the Magnolia and proceeded to
the West Virginia on time The mas
ter. officers and pilot We're on duty on
board the Magnolia at the time of the
coIhslon- It IS believed the Magnolia
, can make the necessary repairs to re-
turn to New Orleans under her own
steam.''
The lighthouse tender Ivy returned
from the sea after putting President
Roosevelt on board and stopped at
Pilot town. Those on board reported
! that the West Virginia had sailed at
! lO:O5- They said that the president
was IN excellent spirits and mistaken
! by the accident.
President Was Asleep.
At the time of the accident the
president, worn out by his strenuous
experience in New Orleans, was fast
asleep He had retired shortly after
/ TWO
4 ships were near the west shore when
| they came in contact. The prov of
/ the Esparta struck the Magnolia ON
the port bow 1t was not known to
| what extent the Magnolia might have
been injured and there was great haste
in pushing her ashore. Both vessels
grounded but the ElSparta got off un-
der her own steam and was found not
to have suffered any damage.
The president showed no excitement
when Informed of the extent of the dis
aster, though he was somewhat annoy
ed by the probability of a delay be-
cause 1t was evident the Magnolia
could not proceed on her way. He
dressed Immediately and those Of his
party hurriedly made for his transfer
to the Ivy which was intercepted and
brought back to the scene of the acci-
dent.
Immediately upon hearing of the ac-
cident and escape of the president
Mayor Behrman sent the following dis
patch by wireless TO the president:
New Orleans, Oct. 27.-Presfdent
Theodore Roosevelt, aboard the cruiser
West Virginia. at sea: New Orleans Is
| Overjoyed to learn that you and your
party escaped without injury and re-
grets ineXpressibly the discomfort the
accident oecasioned We pray that
your voyage home will be safe and de-
lightful.'
Governor Blanchard sent the follow
ing:
NEW Orleans, La, Oct, 27.-Presi-
/ dent Theodore Roosevelt. aboard
cruiser West Virginia: People o1
Louisiana regret accident of last night
| Rejoice it had no serious consequences
> Trust your voyage to Washington vii
be pleasant and devoid of further mis-
haps."
MISSING WITH $500.