Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-03-07
From the Globe Feb. q
Awful Catastrophe!

We stop the press to announce a most
lamentable catastrophe which occurred
on board the Princeton steamer this
evening. By the bursting of one of the
great guns, the Secretary of State, Mr..
opshur; the Secretary OF the Navy, Gov.
u'imer: Commodore kennon, Chief of
me bureau OF Construction of the Navy;
virgil Maxcy, esq, and Mr.. Gardiner.
OF Southampton, New York, were instant.
~ Killed; and six sailors are reported
badly wounded. One of the Presidents
servants, colored man, has since died.
Colonel Benton and Captain Stockton
were slightly injured. The accident
happened about o'clock, some two or
three miles below Alexandra. Colonel
Benton's injury arose not from any frag-
ment OF the gun, but merely from the
conclusion. He was at the but of the
gun, taking its range when it fired. He
was not sensible of its stunning effect
til he had called for aid to the bleeding
sailors. He was stunned for time, but
was enabled to walk after reaching the
shore, and has given a distinct account
OF the dreadful scene. Captain Stock
ton was burned by the powder, but not
seriously injured
Captain Stockton having, on success
slve days. extended invitations to visit
his ship to the executive and committees
of Congress, and then to both Houses
invited the ladies of the city to an enter
talnment on this, which was meant as
the gala-day OF his beautiful ship. 1t
pened brightly, but has closed in the
most dreadful gloom over. our communi-
ty. The only circumstance calculated
to relieve the pervading distress, is,
that of the multitude of ladies who were
on board the ship. not one was injured
The happy exemption of such multitude
OF the tender sex. who witnessed the
hayoc made in the midst of them of the
most distinguished and beloved of their
countrymeB, while it brings some solace
to the circle of their immediate friends,
cannot but deepen the sympathies which
they, and the whole community, feel for
the bereaved families of those who have
fallen. Mrs Upshur and Mr.. GiImer
were idols in the happy family by which
each Was surrounded. The elder chill
dren of Mr.. Glmer are just grown; the
younger still in the nurses arms. Com
modore Kennon, Mr.. Maxcy, and Mir.
Gardiner are all torn from family endear-
ments-from wives and children.
We understand that Mrs. GiImer was
upon the deck when her husband fell
1t was the third discharge of the gun land
fired at the request of Mr.. Gilmer) that
burst it. The daughter of MIR. Upshur,
several of the family of Com. Kennon,
and the dang htars of Mr.. Gardiner. were
on board the steamer; but none of them.
except Mrs. Gilmer, were apprized of
the death of those most-dear to them. IN
til after their return to the city. Almost
all the ladies were below, at dinner,when
the catastrophe occurred. Mrs. GiImer
was brought TO the city almost in state
of Distraction.
There were two hundred ladies on
board, and during the two discharges of
the gun, were on the deck and many of
them approached very near to observe
the course of the ball after it struck the
water. President Tyler was there also.
but had attended the ladies to dinner be-
fore the third discharge.