The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-06-10
TAFT NEARLY
FIGURES In
SEA TRAGEDY
LINER ALMOST CRUSHED
PRESIDENTS YACHT
Prompt Action of Officers on
Steamer Northland Alone
Averted Collision.
President and Party on the May
flower Not Aware of Danger
Till Morning.

OLD POINT. Va. June 9.-The
presidential yacht Mayflower. with the
President and Mrs. Taft and a party
OF their distinguished guests aboard,
narrowly escaped a collision early to-
day with the steamer Northland of the
Norfolk and Washington line not far
from Point Lookout where the Po-
tomac river empties into Chesapeake
Bay. Only the vigilance OF the officer
OF the Northland and the Mayfower
and their prompt action prevented
what looked for a minute like an ac-
! cident AS IL happened the North
land narrowly missed the Mayfower.
Officials apd one or two persons on
the passenger boat. who were looking
only got a momentary shock. IL was
a perfectly still moonlight morning.
with no fog and the lights of passing
vessels could be seen for miles. The
few passengers awake showed no
signs of panic but they looked re-
lieved when the danger was over.
The Mayfiower left Washington last
night about 6:3O for Hampton Roads
In addition TO the President and Mrs.
Taft. General William Grozier. Repre-
sentative Gillett. OF Massachusetts:
Clarence II. Kelsey and Mrs. Kelsey,
OF New York: Mrs. Francis G.. New
lands. wife of the Nevada senator. and
Major T. l.. Rhoades. United States
America. and Lieut.. J. w. Timmons.
u. S. y. aides 70 the President. we're
invited guests.
Had Close Call.
The Northland was on her return
trip TO Old Point and Norfolk and
left Washington shortly after the May
flower. Although she kept the presi-
dental yacht in sight until dark. and
although she is a much speedier boat,
Captain Possey made no attempt to
pass the President. Shortly after the
Northland passed into Chesapeake
Bay. however. where there is plenty
OF sea room. the officer on watch de-
cided to forge ahead OF the May.
flower At that time the navy boat
was probably a third OF n mile ahead
OF the Northland and few hundred
yards 20 the starbo.h-d Of the North
lahd s coulse The fragment OF moon
and plenty Of bright stars made the
bay almost light enough to read by.
while there was hardly a pun OF wind
The Northland gave a signal that she
wished TO pass on the Mayfiower's port
side. and few seconds later came
the response from the yacht. one
whistle blast meaning that she wished
the Northland 10 pass not on the port
side but on the starboard Officers
In the Northland's pilot house we're
astonished when they heard the May
/ flowers one whistle. hut they were
more surprised when the Mayfiower
began slowly 10 cross her bow.
II was few seconds before they
grasped just what was happening.
but when they did. four or five sharp
short blasts shot from the North
lands whistle. meaning the seas over.
Danger Lookout" The quarter
master AZ her wheel gave her a sharp
order. He flung over the wheel the
engines ~ the Northland slowed
down. She sheered 10 port with a
shudder and the Mayflower made her
way across the Northland's course
with n gulf of deep. green water be-
tween that quickly narrowed 10 less
than n thousand feet Once beyond
the Northland's course the Mayflower
seemed 20 slow up and the NorThland
passed on her starboard quarter The
NOrthland came into Old Point ~
Z o'clock this morning. on time. The
Mayflower dropped anchor or Fort
ress Monroe shortly after s O'Clock
, President Taft was not told of the
, incident this morning. but 70 was
discussed In the aide room Of the
Mayflower.