Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-03-16

ulIO Oull ilI'O gum hdo lIuNO W ONP |
Tain Stockton personally. BY means OF
tackle fixed to the breach, II motion was
given to the gun similar to that impaired Ivy
a heavy swell and when it reached the
point indicated it was discharged. The
ball in this case travelled about two miles
before it hit the water, and then bounded
several times. The Princeton went down
The river as far as Mt. Vernon. In going
down, the "pence maker" was discharged
three times, and in returning twice.
son the fourth fire the ball struck on
the land, and its effect was lost sight ofby |
those on board-so the party demanded
another fire, and respectfully requested
The Captain to put in little more powder
this time. Before firing for the fifth and
last time, the Captain said he should take
the sense of the company. "All those IN
favor of another fire will say, Aye" The
air resounded with "Aye!" "All those OPP
posed to another fire will say, No" Not a
solitary voice.
"rhe Ayes have it," said the Captain;
81 have the assent Of Congress, and !
90 ahead" Probably fifty pounds oil
powder went into the ''peach maker" this
time. AS before, the gun was fired
by the Captain himself. The ball went
probably, four miles before it struck. 1t
bounded fifteen times on the ice, in the
course of which it performed halt circle
Zone of these guns. the "Oregon," was
mar ufactured in England. The other,
'Peac Maker" was made in New York,
and is by far the better piece OF workman
ship of the two.
"The Captain told me that when he APP
piled to the manufacturer 10 do the job, he
(the manulacturer) declared that 1t could
not be done; and it was not until Captain
Stockton had promised him that he would
pay all the expense ofan attempt out OF his
own pocket, that the manufacturer would
consent TO mike a trial. Before a month
had elasped a;ter this, however, the man
ufactufCr. seeing that 1t was tertectIy,
practicable, became as great ali cAtanS'ast
in the matter as the Captain himself was"
Tho circumstances connected Win me
I eypIason of the gun on board the Prince
ION were investigated by a Committee,
and are thus reported:
"The Committee, al the request OF Cap
tlin Stockton, proceeded to examine Wit
nesses, as to the causes OF the explosion,
and accordingly called upon the officers
whose duty was most Immediately con.
nected with the Loading OF the gun, for
such information as they had to give.
"Lieut. Hunt, ordnance Office in charge
of the great guns, represent that he load
ed the gun himself, with but twenty FIVE
pounds of powder--the usual charge he
ing thirty pounds. Over the powder was
placed single shot, With the usual num-
Der of wads. That the persons nearest
the gun at the time OF the explosion were
Capt Stockton, Mr.. King, the gunner of
the ship, and himself.
"Lieutenant Hunt also states that this
gun has been repeatedly fired with a
charge of thrty-five pounds OF powder,
and once in New York, with a charge OF
forty-nlne pounds.
"In the statements of Lieutenant Hunt
Mr.. King, the gunner of the ship concurs,
Mr.. King is blacksmith by trade. and is
of opinion that the gun was lndltlerently
made of iron of an inferior qually.
"Tbe Committee, as well from the fore
going testimony, as from their own person
al observation and examination before anc
after the accident, have no hesitation ii
generating Captain Stockton and every
officer and man under his command, froT
the slightest imputation of rnshness OF
carelessness, and arc unanimously of opln
ion that this melancholy event rests upor
causes over which they could have no con
troll.
w. CRAWFORD SHUBRICK,
Chairman.
Jouy II, MCLAUGHLIN. Secretary.