The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-28
HULL OF MAGNOLIA
is BADLY DAMAGED
After Being Beached President
Goes Back to Bed and Slun-
bers soundly Until 8 4.
O'clock, When He is
Taken Aboard
the Ivy
(By Associated Press.)


NEW ORLEANS, October 27.-After a
narro wescapc from his life in an early
morning collision IN which the light
house tender, Magnolia, on which he
was travelling, was struck by the steam
er Esparta and so much damaged that
he had to abandon her. President Roose
welt is now safe on board the armorcd
| ccruiser West Virginia, bound for Hamp.
ton Roads. Neither the President nor
any member Of his party was Injured IN
the accident.
The frs, news of the accident reached
New Orleans by telephone early this
morning in an appeal for help from Cap
tain Rose, OF the United Fruit Com
panys steamer Esparta, which came
from Nairn, La, near where the acci-
dent occurred. His report ga. c no de-
rails.
llle Magnolia left here at $50 last night
and the Esparta was due TO arrive to-day
ar Chainiettc. The weather was fine,
with comparatively little wind on the
river. Immediately upon the receipt OF
the news communication was opened with
tug owners here. and the powerful tugs
r Wimot and l3. y. Wood left New Or
leans shortly after O'Clock this morning
with orders TO go at full speed TO the
scene OF the accident.
How Collision Occurred.
UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP WEST
VIRGINIA, via. NEW ORLEANS. Octo-
ber e7.--(By wireIess)-At II o'clock last
evening through confusion of signals, the
fruit steamer Espurta collided with the
lighthouse tender Magnolia. which was
conveying the President, Secretary Loeb
and Dr.. R.xey 10 the cruiser West 3Vir-
ginia. q
The rail and bow port OF the Magnolia
were damaged, and two or three holes
made in the null below the water line.
No one was hurt
The Magnolia. Immediately on being
struck, was beached her bow being high
and dry. After careful examination OF
the damage TO the vessel. it was evident
that there was no danger, and the Presi-
dent and his party went to bed. Major
CraIghill, OF the United States engineers,
was aboard the Magnolia. His ship. the
Ivy. sister ship Of the Magnolia. had
preceded the Magnolia. and was some
distance ahead. a boat was Immediately
put of for the nearest telephone about
a milo and 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 transfer was made at 3
O'Clock this morning. The vessel got
under way Immediately and the West
Virginia was boarded on schedule time
Meantime. however, the Pres. dents par
~ had managed to get in communication
with the lower part of the river, Where
III was known that the lighthouse tender
Ivy was lying. At one clock the opera
tor at Pilot Town was rung up by
Major Craighill, the government engineer,
with orders that the Ivy should be sent
to Sixty-Mile Point with all possible
speed. The Ivy Immediately got under
way and covered the forty miles In
rapid time.
Transferred to Ivy.
President Roosevelt, Secretary Loeb and
Surgeon RiXey, with their baggage were
at once transferred and the Ivy proceed.
4 Cd down the river. AtS:l5 the Ivy passed
Pilot Town on her way down. signalling
board and that all were well.
The Ivy reached the West Virginia at
$40 and the President at once went
aboard.
The lighthouse tender, Ivy, returned
from the sea- after putting President
Roosevelt Oh board, and stopped at Pilot
Town. Those on board reported that
the West Virginia had sailed at 1905.
They said that the President was In eX-5
cellent spirits and unshaken by the acct
dent. Al the time of the accident at II
o'clock, the President, absolutely worn
out by his strenuous experience In New
Orleans. was fast asleep. He had turned
5000 :. LID 4,