New-York tribune., 1912-06-10
PRESIDENT ON YACHT
ALMOST IN COLLISION
The MayfIoWer Crosses Norfolk
and Washington Liners Bow
in Chesapeake Bay.
PROMINENT PARTY ABOARD
Less than One Thousand Feet
Between Boats-Passenger
Steamers Signal Not
Returned as Given.

RcUul uCu olNCH'
old Point Va, June 9.-The Presidon-
tial yacht Maynowcr. with the President
and Mrs Taft and a party of distin-
rushcd guests aboard. narrowly escaped
a collision early to-day with the steamer
Northland. Of the Norfolk and Washing
ton Line. not far from Point Lookout,
where the Potomac River enters Chesa-
rcakc Bay. Only the vigilance of the
officers Of the NOrthand and the May
flower and their prompt action prevent
e. what looked like a certain accident.
As it happened, the Northland mar
rowIv missed the MaYnower. officials
and one or two persons on the passenger
boat who were looking got momentary
shock 1t was a perfectly still moon
light morning. with no sea running, and
the lights of passing vessels could be
seen for miles. The few passengers
awake showed no signs Of panic. but
,bev looked relieved when danger was
over.
Tho Maynowcr left Washington last
right about 6:3U o'clock for Hampton
Roads. IN addition to the President and
Mrs. Taft. General William Crozier,
Representative r. II. Gillct of Massa-
chusetts. Clarence II. KELSEY and Mrs.
Kelsey. of New York. Mrs. Francis q.
NcVlaude. wife of the Nevada Senator,
and Major r. l.. RhOads. /. :. a. and
Lieutenant J. W. Timmons. L. :. y,
aids 10 the President, we're guests.
Decides to Pass the Mayflower.
The Northland. ON her regular trip to
old Point and Norfolk. left Washington
soon after the MaylloWcr. Although she
Kept tho Presidential yacht i'm sight un-
iii dark. and although she iS a much
,peedier boat, Captain Posey made no
attempt To- pass the President. Soon af-
Tor tn" Northland passed into Chesa-
leakc Ray. however. whore there is
plenty of sea room. the officer on watch
decided 10 forge ahead of the MaYfloWCr.
At that time the navy boat was prob
ably third Of a mile ahead Of the
Northlaud and a few hundred yards To-
the starboard Of the NorthlandS course.
The fragment of moon and plenty Of
bright stars I'm; dc the bay almost liCh;
enough &" read by while there was
hardly It puff cf wind. The NOrthlaud
gave a signal that she wished I" pass
cn the NayhoWors port side, and Il few
seconds later came the response from
the Yacht. one whistle blast meaning
that she wished the Northland to pass,
mot ON m" port side. but ON the star
board.
Omcers in the Northland's pilot house
we're astonished when they heard the
Mayf1owers one whistle. bu1 they were
even more surprised when the May
flower began slowly to cross her bow. 1t
was 2 few seconds before they graspod
just what was happening. hut when they
did. four or five sharp. short blasts were
blown from Northland's whistle
meaning the seas over. danger; look
out"
0uarternaster Gets Sharp Order.
The quartermaster ut her wheel re-
cciycd a sharp order He flung the
wheel over and the engines Of the NORTH
land were slowed down pcrccptiblv. She
snccrcd quickly to starboard. and the
Mayflowcr made + way across the
.,orthland's course with a gulf Of deep
green water between that quickly mar
row Ved to less than a thousand feet
once beyond the Northlands course the
MafloWcr seemed to slow up, and the
Northland passed on her starbOard quar-
ter.
The Northland came into Old Point at
: o'clock this morning. on time. The
Maynowcr dropped anchor Off Fortress
Monroe shortly after : o'clock. Presi-
dent Taft was not tod Of the incident
thiS morning, but il was discussed in
INC aid room Of the Mayhower and
arnonS the officers Of the Northlaud.
Tho President had only one engage
ucut here to-day. With Mrs. Taft and
their guests he tool; breakfast with Dr.
u. e. Frisscn, of Hampton Institute, OF
which hc is a trustee. he later watched
the institute battalion drill and attended
chapel where hc made q brief speech to
The students. declaring that, although
education along scientific lines was use
ful, "Nocational" education for the negro
WIS better. for IN" present ~ least. He
shook hands with several hundred stu
dents afterWard.
From Hampton the President and his
Iarly were taken aboard the United
States ship Sylph for fortv-Inilc trip
up m" James River. with a short stop
~ jamestown island. VIII, the first
English settlement in America was
madc "uI years ago. Leaving here on
The MaNHowcr tonight. the President is
due in Washington at noon tomorrow