The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-03-05
THE BAD QUALITY OF THE IRON OF
THE PRINCETON'S GUN PROVED.

i Ft fRlNCE YIN . SoN INV Ell.
The subjoined letter. written by IA practical
and scientific gentleman Of Phad lphia. gives
the proof of the base quality Of the iron Of the
Princeton's gun, which fully explains the cause
of the accident that occurred. Ii will be seen
that the specific gravity of the iron with which
the gun was fabricated, is nearly nine per cent.
lighter than the standard gravity of bar iron.
The above fact as well as the remaining part
of the letter, will, we doubt not, command ali
extensive notice.
PHtL,pELPHIA, March I'd, 1914.
To WM. STRICKLAND, Esq
My DEAR Sir duly received your interesting
letter of yesterday explaining the particulars of the
deplDrable accident Of the Princeton. 1t was very
satisfactory, and gave perfect idea Of the occur
renee which had not been able to gather from all
had before read about it. You will please to accep,
my thanks. small piece Of the gun, weighing
about pound, was sent TO this city by some one
which was obtained by the actuary of the Franklin
Institute. Mr.. Joseph Saxton, Of the Mint, ascer-
tanned IFS specific gravity to be lila, which is 0.674
gh er than the standard gravity of hammered iron
standard gravity Of bar iron being 7.7SS.
have written TO one of the Engineers Of the ship
to procure for me piece of the gun, that we may
test the quality Of the metal in various ways. Now
that learn that the gun must have had seam pass
ing through and around the centre Of the cylindrical
part or breech, am anxious to procure a piece OF
tue outer cylinder, and also Of the inner cylinder
or part Immediately surrounding the charge and
forming the breech explained in your letter
Will you interest YOURSELF if you can do so without
Inconvenience, to procure such pieces as wish OF
the two parts of the gun above mentioned, and will
have them examined and tested by a committee OF
the Franklin Institute. Such inquiries do no
HARM and may do good, or throw light on the SUBJ
ject which may be Of importance in future.
No occurrence that ever before happened in this
country has caused deeper feelings Of regret than this
l, has been the sole topic OF conversation with all
classes of society.
As you may naturally suppose, many absurd re-
ports obtain currency in relation to it, but the public
mind rapidly arriving at the truth and proper con
clus ons.
have heard no censure Of Capt Stockton.
DepIorable as ii is, however, good may result from
it, 1t should soften and allay hostile and bitter
feeling between men holding high and responsible
stations in all branches Of Government And
above all, il should wake up Congress tc
the Importance Of making immediate and ample
provision for National Foundry, and for an im
mediate prosecution of further experiments upor
this kind Of ord nance. would not be daunted by an,
casualty. 1t is clear to that Capt Stockton has
been pursuing the proper track. He has, however
been thrown too much upon his private and ndiyidu
al resources in these national experiments All thai
skill and seepless vigilance could accomplish, has
been performed by him, and has resulted in the most
triumphant and brilliant success
In the language of President Tyler this sad acct
den, no measure detrec,s from the value Of the
improvements contemplated in the construction q
the Princeton, or from the merits OF her brave and
distinguished commander and protector"
| deplore this accident the more that il has hap
pened upon the threshold Of important negotiation,
with our old and grasping enemy. 1t has deprived
/ the Government Of the services of two Of its mos
able officers, and the President Of his very best anc
most sincere friend. Besides, it will enable tina
same power TO congratulate themselves secretly, bu
temporarily, trust, what they will term the fail
ure Of improvements which gave item no little I'm
easiness. proper consideration Of all these fact
should be made by Congress and Government--.h
Princeton should be immediately rehtted with arma
ment Of unquestionable soundness and power-an
an appropriation for another vessel of greater ca
pacity upon the same principle should at once b
made
These are my notions and can't avoid an ex
preston Of thcm.
.