The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-10
Collision Narrowly Averted

As 1t happened the Northland narrow y missed the Mayflower. officials and one or two persons on the messenger boat who were looking only got mo- mentary shock. It was a perfectly still moonlight morning with no sea run ming and the lights of passing vessels could be seen for miles. The few pas sengers awake showed no signs of panic but they looked relieved when danger was over.
 The Mayfiower left Washington last night about s;30 for Hampton Roads. In addition to the President and Mrs. Taft, Gen. William Crozier Represen- tative F. H. Gillett of Massachusetts Clarence II. Kelsey and Mrs Kelsey of New York. Mrs. Francis q. Newlands T. L. Rhoads, T. S. A.. and Lieut.. J. w. Timmons, N. g. N, aides to the President, were invited guests
 The Northland on her regular trip to Old Point and Norfolk left Wash ington shortly after the Mayflower. AL though she kept the presidential yacht in sight until dark and although she Is a much speedier boat. Captain Posey 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 decided to forge ahead of the sfayfiower. At that time tho nhvy boat was probably a third of mile ahead of the Northland and few hundred yards Id the starboard of the North lands cd rse.
 The fri ,ment of moon and plenty of bright si IS made the bay almost light enough read by. while there was hardly puff of wind The Northland give a s gnal that she wishes to pass on the Mayflower's port side and a few seconds later came the response from the yacht. one whistle blast. meaning that she wished the Northland to pass not on the port side but on the star board
 officers in the Northland's pilot house were astonished when they heard the Mayflower's one whistle but they were even more surprised when the Mayfower began slowly to cross her bow It was a few seconds before they grasped just what was happening. but when they did four or five sharp, short blasts shot from the Northland's whistle. meaning the seas over, Danger, look out!' The quarter master at her wheel was given a sharp order He flung the wheel over, the en- zines of the Northand were slowed down rerceptibly. She sheered 10 starboard with a shudder and the Mayflower made her way across the Northlandfs course with d gulf of deep green water between that quickly narrow to less than a thousand feet. once beyond the Northland's courso the Mayhower seemed to slow up and the Northland passed on her starboard quarter.
 The Northland came into Old Point at o'clock this morning on time. The Mayfower dropped anchor off Fortress Monroe shortly after 8 o'clock. President Taft was not told of the incident this morning. but 1t was discussed in the aide room of the Mayfiower and among the officers of the Northland.
 The President had only one engage ment today. With Mrs. Taft and their guests he took breakfast with Dr. H. B. Frissell of Hampton institute. of which he Is a trustee. He later watched the institute battalion drill and attended chapel, where he made q brief speech to the students, declaring that although education along scientific lines is use- full 'vocational" education for the negro Is better for the present at least He shook hands with several hundred stu dents afterwards.
 Jamestown Visited
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