Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-03-16

ship Princeton. of Secretary Up
shur, Secretary Gilmer, Conn mo-
dOre KennOn, and Vergil Maxcy,
Esq.
The National Intellgencer, of Thursday the
29th ult., contains the following melancholy in
teligence, which will cast gloom over the
whole Union:
In the whole course Of our lives il has never
fallen to our lot to announce to our readers more
shocking misunderstanding in all its circum-
stances and concomitants--than that which oc-
CURED on board the United States ship Princeton,
Yesterday afternoon, whilst under way, in the
river Potomac, IA or Is miles below this city.
Yesterday was day appointed, by the cour-
tesy and hospitality Of Capt Stockton, comman-
der of the Princeton, for receiving as vsiters to
this fine ship dying off Alexandria) great num-
Der Of guests. with their families, literally and
numerously invited to spend the day on board
The day was most favorable, and the company
was large and brilliant, of both sexes; not less,
probably, in number, than four hundred, among
whom were the President of the United States,
the heads Of the several departments, and their
families. At proper hour, after the arrival OF
the expected guests, the vessel got under way and
proceeded down the river, to some distance be-
low Fort Washington. During the passage down,
one of the large guns on board carrying ball
of 225 pounds) was fired more than once, exhib-
iting the great power and capacity Of that formd-
able weapon of war. The ladies' had partaken
of sumptuou. repast, the gentlemen had sue
ceeded them at the table, and some Of them had
left it; the vessel was her return up the river,
opposite to the fort, where Capt. Stockton con-
scented to fire another shot from the same gun,
around and near which to observe its effects, many
persons had gathered, though by no means so
many as on similar discharges in the morning, the
ladies who then thronged the deck being, on this
fatal occasion. almost all between decks, and out
Of reach of harm.
The gun was fired The explosion was fol-
lowed, before the smoke cleared away so as to
observe its effect, BY shrieks Of wo which an
nounced dire calamity. The gun had burst, at
point three or four feet from the breech, and
scattered death and desolation around. Mr.. Up
shur, Secretary Of State, Mr.. Gilmer, 80 recently
placed at the head Of the Navy, Commodore Ken
non, dne Of its gallant officers, Vergl Marcy,
lately returned from diplomatic residence at the
Hague, Mr.. Gardner, Of New York, formerly a
member Of the Senate from that State.) were
among the slain. Besides these, seventeen sea-
men were wounded, several Of them badly and
probably MORALLY. Among those stunned by the
conclusion, we learn not all seriously injured,
were Captain Stockton himself; Col. Benton, Of
the Senate; Lieut.. Hunt, of the Princeton; w.
D. Robinson, Of Georgetown. Other persons
also were perhaps more orless injured, Of whom,
IN the horror and confusion Of the moment, no
certain account could be obtained. The above
are believed, however, to comprise the whole Of
the persons known to the public who were killed
or dangerously or seriously hurt
The scene upon the deck may more easily be
imagined than described. Nor can the magma
ton picture to itself the half of its horrors
Wives, widowed in an instant by the murderous
blast! Daughters smitten with the heart-rending
sight of their fathers lifeless corpse! The wall
ings of the agonized females! The piteous grief
Of the unhurt but heart-stricken spectatersl---
The wounded seamen borne down below! The
silent tears and quivering lips Of their brave and
honest comrades. who tried in vain to subdue or
TO conceal their feelings! What words can ad-
equately depict scene like this?
The bodies of the killed remained on board
the ship last night. They will be brought to the
city this morning" s
letter to us from member Of Congress, da-
ted on the evening of the horrible calamity, af-
ter giving statement Of the killed, says:
The boat is now at Alexandra. Capt. Stock
ton is badly wounded. Col. Benton is reported
hurt
Mrs. Gilmer and Misses Gardners are on
board and not conscious Of their loss when our
informant left, as they were below in the cabin,
and were prevented from coming up. You can
form little idea of the deep distress that pervades
the city.
From the Baltimore Sun we gather the follow
Ing additional items:
The Hon. J. w. Tyson, 2nd assistant Postmas-
ter General, had his hat cut-and piece Of the
gum about six inches in length, quietly rested on
the top of his head.
The Hon. Mr.. Wickliffs had started to 60 on
deck with Judge Upshur, when some one below
called-detained him for second, and thereby
saved bis life.
The Secretary Of War, to avoid the crack Of
the gun, advised the President to 60 below where
they were sitting when the calamity happened.
The legs Of Messrs Upshur and Gilmer are
shockingly- mutilated.
Capt Stockton, as soon as the shock over
whelmed him, caught his chin, then clapped his
hands up each side Of his face, and was in the
act of leaping overheard when he was caught by
the Hon. J. w. Tyson.
The Madisonian says:
The breech Of the gun was severed, and car
ried awav the bulwark Of the ship opposite to il.
It was the iron fragments, it is supposed, which
struck down so many on board, and who could
not have been behind the gun. The accident
took place about sunset. A steamboat from Alex
andria, which was passing, was sent back to town,
and returned with several surgeons.
The same number of our paper which contains
the unfortunate Gilmer's address to his constitu-
snts, bears them also an account Of his death.