The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-03-15

to the time Of the explosion--ive times with
solid shot, five times with hollow, and seven
times with wad only. Every day after the firing
washed her OUT with warm water, and
after every fire | examined her myself on the
outside After the first fire OF the gun
at Sandy Hook saw small scale
on the inside of The gun about foot from
the muzzle where it is still visible. Mr.. Hunt
was always very particular in wadding the gun,
and on every occasion personally superintend.
ed IT,
The last loading Of the gun, he himself put
The powder in the gun Twas always at The
printing wire. After the fifth or sixth fire of the
gun Capt Stockton assisted himself, and mark
ed the hammer. w t
The cartridge was always carried home with
the rammer--a wad OF ten inches placed IN The
chamber, and that rammed home-the ball put
in the muzzle, rolled home, and by the printing
wire it could be perceived that IL compressed
the powder. do not think the gun has been
fired at less elevation than three degrees
The powder was all weighed and placed in the
cartridges and cannisters.
also superniended some of the experiments
with the first of the large guns, but they had
nearly concluded before reached Sandy Hook,
August 1Ith, lS43 AT the Hook, fired the
first gun (the Oregon). J
Prior TO my going there she had been fired,
and discovered that water ran through her,
fired her twice. with charges Of So lbs. powder
! and ball OF 212 lbs; once with Ia lbs. powder
and ball. On examination it was found that no
change had been produced by this firing This
! was, believe, the last of her firing.
The 'Peacc Maker" was made al the foundry
of Mr.. Ward, in.New York.
Hugh Kelley, quarter gunner on board the
Princeton, being duly sworn, says:
(JNpS w a SANDY Honk ,x,ho tho
| experiments and trials of the Oregon" ana
| "Peace Maker" were made? If so, state what
was your duty
! Ans. was there as foremost hand, was
connected with the loading Of the gun and to
the washing and attending to the gun. In
washing the "Oregon," the crack was discov-
cred, the water running through. Bands were
put round the gun, and the experiments contin-
ued, and perceived no change in the gun or in
the crack in il during the subsequent firing.
assisted in loading the gun, putting in the shot.
On the day OF the explosion the loading was
done in a perfect way-never saw more care
taken. | had assisted in loading her about
| twelve times.
| Edmund Parker, fireman on board the Prince
ton, sworn and deposes:
| Question. Were you al Sandy Hook when
the experiments and trials were made on the
Oregon" and Peace Maker" and have you
since been on board the Princeton?
| Ansarer. Yes.
Question. What was your duty at Sandy
Hook
Ansuer. was a, the elevating screw. Al
| the first fire The gun was on the sand, not on a
carriage the charge was 35 lbs. Of powder as
| understood, and solid shot; after the fire, ex-
amined the gun and found crack; we then
mounted her on gun and fired, ! think, three
| rounds with Ia lbs powder and solid shot; no
change was perceived; the firing then stopped,
and bands Of, | believe, 3 l2 inches thickness
were put on her. .sssii.
! After the bands were put on we continued
our firing, and fired, | should think, at different
times, $50 shot, sometimes 1907 20 day, and
IN rapid successon-saw no change in the gun
or in the crack, and felt under no apprehension
The charges ranged from Ia to 25 ID.
James Granger, seaman on board the Prince
ton, being duly sworn, says
Cues. Were you on board the Princeton,
and did you assist in loading the gun which
burst?
Ans. Yes.
| Cues. State whether the loading was as usu-
al, and was II carefully attended to- And by
whom?
Ans. assisted in loading the gun from the
time she was taken on board. She was always
carefully loaded, aud on the last occasion as
carefully as had ever known her. Harrington
assisted in The loading Mr.. Hunt superintendent
and directed every thing, aud every order that
he gave was carefully performed.
David Harrington, seaman on board the
Princeton, being duly sworn, says
! Qnes Were you on board the Princeton on
the dav Of the explosion OF the large gun Did
GU assist IN the loading State what you
| know.
| Ans Was on board Assisted in the loading;
assisted IN loading the gun on every occasion
but two, fom the time it was taken on board
Great care and attention were always given TO
! the loading.
| On the last occasion every care was taken
and | particularly, after ramming down the
charge, rammed it 'sgan" myself, TO be per
iectly sure that every thing was right. Granger
assisted in the loading.
! Mr.. King, the Gunner was al the pruning
wire, and reported it was home
MIR. Hunt superintendent and ordered every
| thing relating to the loading.
Captain William c. Bolton, President of the
/ Court, being duly sworn, says
Quos. Were you on board the Princeton at
the time OF the explosion Of he large gun
What did you observe as to The conduct of
Captain Stockton, the officers and crew of the
| Princeton
| Ans. was on board The Princeton on that
occasion, as one of the invited guests. ! CON
sidered the conduct OF the Captain, officers and
crew, under such appalling circumstances,
| highly rIaseworihy and meritorous rspec-
ally that of Lieut. Thompson, who came more
Immediately and constantly under my observa-
ton, he being officer of the deck for the day.
! happened TO be the Senior Naval officer on
board, and on deck when the explosion oc
CURED.
saw Capt Stockton some 20 minutes after
he was carried below, fer the first time after the
explosion he was apparently much injured,
and suffering great pain. Before the ship an
chored saw him second time and spoke
cheeringly and sooihDgly to him; he appeared
self possessed and much composed and con-