The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-10
Taft S Y acht N early
in Collision With
Northland.
PROMPT ACTION
AVERTS CRASH
President Not Told OF Incident in
Chesapeake Bay, Which Gave
Thrill to Those Who Saw Il,
and Goes on to Hampton
and Jamestown Is
land.

Old Point. Va. June 3.-The presi-
dental yacht Mayflower, with the
President and Mrs. Taft and party
of their distinguished guests aboard
narrowly escaped a collision early to-
cay with the steamer Northland of
the Norfolk and Washington Line. not
lar from Point Lookout. where the
otomac River cmnties into Chesa-
peakc Bay Only the vigilance OF the
officers of the >orthland and the May
flower and their prompt action pre-
vented what looked for minute like
ar accident
AS 1T happened the Northland mar
rowly missed the Mayflower omcials
md one or two persons on the passen
her boat who were looking, only
cot momentary shock. it was a
perfectly still moonlight morning
with no sen running 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 Mayflower left Washington last
night about $50 o'clock for Hampton
Roads. In addition TO the President
and Mrs. Taft. General William Roster.
ence II KELSEY and Mrs. Kelsey. OF
New York; Mrs. Francis G. Newlands.
wife OF the Nevada senator. and Majo:
I L. Rhoades. L. S. a. and Lieuten-
ant J. y. Timmons. U. s y. aides to
the President. were invited guests.
Whistles for Passing.
The Northland. on her regular trip
to Old Point and Norfolk. left Wash
inCton shortly after the Ma yflower.
Although she kept the presidential
yacht in sightuntil dark. and although
she is much speedier boat. Captain
iosey made no attemp: to pass the
President. Shortly after the NortE-
land passed into Chesapeake Bay. how
ever, where there is plenty of sea
room, the offioer OH watch decided TO
forge ahead of the Maynower.
ST that time the navy boat was
proba bly, a third or mile ahead OF
the Northland and few hundred
yards 10 the starboard of the North
lands course. The fragment of moon
and plenty of bright stars made the
bay almost light enought TO read by.
while there was hardly n puff of wind.
The Northland gave 4 signal that she
wished to pass on the Mayhower's
port side. and few seconds later
came the response from the yacht. one
whistle blast meaning that she wished
the Northiand 10 pass not on the port
side. but on the starboard. Officers in
the Northland's p!lothouse were as
tonished when they heard the May
flowers one whistle, but they were
even more surprised when the May
flower began slowly TO cross her bow.
1t was a few seconds before they
grasped Just what was happening,
but when they did four or fve sharp
short blasts shot from the North
lands whistle. meaning the presence
of danger look out" The quarter
master at her wheel was given a
sharp order. He flung the wheel over,
the Engines of the Northland were slow
cd down perceptibiy. She sheercd to
starboard with Il shut Ter. and the May
dover made her way across the North
lands course with n gulf of deep
green water between that quickly
narrowed to lass than a thousand feet.
Once beyond the Northland's course
the Maynower seemed to slow up. and
the Northand passed on her starboard
quarter.
The Northlnnd came into Old Point
at O'Clock this morning. on time.
The Maynower dropped anchor off
Fortress Monroe shortly after s
o'clock
President Taft was not told OF the
incident this morning, but it was dis
cussed In the aide room OF the May
flower. and among the officer OF the
Northland.
Goes 10 jamestown Islnnd.
The President had only one en-
EaCement here to-day. With Mrs.
Taft and their guests he took break
fast with DR.. II. r. Frsscll. OF Hamp-
! ton Institute, of which he is a trustee
He later watched the institute bat
talon drill and attended chapel.
where he made a brief speech to the
students, declaring that although
education along scientific lines Is
useful, voca ;ional education for the
negro is better for the present at
least He shook hands with several
{ hundred students afterwards From
Hampton. the President and his
| party were taken abroad the United
! States yacht Sylph for a forty-miie
! trip UP the James River with IL short
stop at Jamestown Island, where tho
| first English settlement in America
was made 500 years ago. Leaving
here on the Mayfiower Tonight the
President is due in Washington at
noon tomorrow.