The Republican journal., 1908-07-30
Loss of Schooner Menawa.
Run into and Sunk by the Presidents
Yacht

Run into and Sunk by the Presidents
Yacht.
NEWPORT, R. L.. July %. The Presl-
dents yacht, Mayfower, with the fresl-
dent on board, on her way from Oyster
Bay to Newport, during Tuesday night,
in dense fog, ran into and sank the
lumber laden schooner AIenaWa, be-
longing to C. G. Pendeton of 1sleSboro,
Me. The Presidents yacht had her
bowsprit and one anchor carried away,
but the jar of the collision was so slight
that none of the Presidents party knew
of the accident until they arose
Wednesday morning.
The Mayhower had an uneventful
trip after leaving Oyster Bay, until be
tween and 10 O'clock Tuesday night,
when she ran into fog between New
Haven and New London. The boat
was slowed down and the big whistle
sounded frequently. At LIS a. M,
while the fog was very dense and with
out the slightest warning, the Maytlow-
er crashed into a sailing vessel which
was running up the sound before light
southeasterly breeze.
Although crash followed it was not
a severe one, but the Sharp.proW OF the
Maytlower smashed a big hole in the
side of the vessel through which the
water poured in great volume. Those
in charge of the MayfloWer had found
that she was sinking and boats were at
once lowered from the yacht. The res
cue was made without difficulty as the
sea was smooth and the searchlights of
the yacht Illuminated the fog for dis
lance of few hundred yards.
The first launch to reach the sinking
schooner found her keeled we'll over
with part of her cargo of lumber drltt-
ing about her and her crew huddled up
near the stern, where they were max
ing ali effort to launch their own boat.
They were quickly taken on board the
MaytloWer'S boat and several OF them
had time to bring along few OF their
personal effects. The schooner, despite
her cargo of spruce, sank as the last
man was leaving her. Those in charge
of the launch made sure that they had
rescued every one on board and then
pulled back to the Mayfower The
schooner proved to be the MenaWd,
bound from Machias to New York with
number An examination of the for
ward part Of the Mayaower showed
that the bowsprit had been carried away
and that one of the anchors was miss
ing. The yacht, however, sustained no
other damage and as soon as the other
boat with her occupants had been hoist
ed on board she proceeded to Newport.
The collision and rescue delayed the
Mavlower about half an hour.
The crew of the Menawa were made
comfortable on board the Mayfower
and seemed somewhat i'll at ease on
finding themselves unbidden but well
hos, rI
Yacht. They were summoned aft as
soon as the President had dressed and
were personally presented to the chief
magistrate in the sumptuous cabin of
the Yacht. The President expressed
great concern regarding the accident
his regret of the loss of their vessel and
his gratitude at the rescue without loss
of life.
The crew of the MenaWa were sent to
their homes in Maine at the expense of
the government
Commander Snowden Of the May
flower sent word to all inquirers today
that he would not discuss the accident
in which the Mayfower had cut down
and sunk the schooner Menawa soon
after o'clock this morning.
Capt Hutchinson of the MenaWa,
however, disclaimed all responsibility
for the collision. He declared he was
running down the Sound with all lights
burning brightly and double lookout
forward. He was trying 70 keep out OF
the beaten path of steamers, he ue-
clared, and was sailing under jib and
foresaiI. all other canvas being furled
Tie fog was lifting and closing in again
at intervals, according to Capt. HUTCH
Gson, who says the MaytioWef was
iisible some time before she struck,
Il ordered the fog horn sounded;
said Capt. Hutchinson; "but heard n
blasts from the MaytioWer's whistle
any time. had ordered tie men who
-4.ere not on watch to tnrn in IN their
clothes to be ready for an emergency
I'VE thought the Mayhower would
clear us by putting her wheel to star
board. but she came right Oil ana cut
us almost in two.
81 had always wanted to meet the
President" continued the seafaring
man, but | hardly looked for an ac-
ouaintance under the circumstances,
and it isn't pleasant to be run down,
even by the President of the United
States. He talked to US fairly and
squarely, like a man, this morning. The
collision wasn't his fault and he did all
he could under the circumstances. l
don't know why Capt. SnoWden held
us Oh the Mayflower until late this
afternoon, however, before setting us
ashore, when he might just as well
have sent US off as soon as the Presi-
ent had left the ship
Five of the Menawas crew arrived
IN portland last Thursday morning on
t ~, way home in Brooksville, where
thev all live. The captain left for New
YAK S to confer with the owners OF the
sc w" the fendleton Bios. The
s sia,, are Herbert L. Hutchinson, mater
! w W Hutchinson, cook; Willie Hutch,
inson. Chester Gray and Willie Gray.
Thev lost all their effects and the only
articles of clothes they had were what
were being worm They were supplied
with money for all their needs by Presi-
dent Roosevelt and all the men united
in declaring him one of the most demo-
cratic men they had ever met. One of
the men said in speaking OF their recep-
tion on the MayhoWer:
After he had learned the full facts
the men were called aft and the Pres
ident addressed them. He told them
that he was sorry that the accident had