The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-01
TERRIBLE CALAMITY AT
WASHINGTON.
Explosion of Capt. StOcktOn's Great Gun!
Death Of the Secretary of State
Of the Secretary Of the Navy;
Of Commodore Kennon
Of Virgil Maxcy;
Of Col. Gardner, Of New York, etc
GREAT GLOOM I'M WASHINGTON

One of the most terrible and shocking calamities
that has occurred in this country for years, we
have now to chronicle.
To-day, the 18th February, the Princeton made
another excursion, having on board several hun
bred guess
The ship proceeded down the river below Mount
Vernon and on its return, when in about twenty
minutes run of Alexandria, the large gun the
bow WAS fired, it being the second or third time 1t
had been discharged with ball, and the usual SER
vice charge, and, exploding at the breech, spread
death and destruction on the deck
The Secretary of State, MIR. Upshur, the Secretary
of the Navy, Gov Gimer, Com: kennon, Chief Of
the Bureau of Construction of the Navy, Virgi
Maxcy, Esq. and Mr. Gardiner, of Southampton
New York, Were instantly killed, and SIX sailor:
are reported badly wounded. One of the Pres
dents servants, colored man, has since died.
Colonel Benton and Captain Stockton were
slightly injured. The accident happened about
three o'clock, some two or three miles below Alex
andria. Col. Bentons injury arose not from any
fragment OF the gun, but merely from the concus
sion. He was at the but of the gun, taking it:
range when 1t fired.
He was not sensible Of its stunning effect unit
he had called for aid to the bleeding sailors. He
after reaching the shore, and has given a dstinc
account of the DIRE dful scene Captain Stock
ton was burnt by the powder, but not seriously in
lured.
IS said several of the gunners, crew, &c, belong
ing to the ship, were killed or MORALLY wounded
and several others are missing.
The breech of the gun was severed, and carried
away the buwark OF the ship opposite to 1t. Ii
was the iron fragments, il is supposed, which struck
down many on board, and who could not have
been behind the gun
The accident took place about sunset.
Asteamboat from Alexandra, which was passing
was sent back TO town, and returned with several
surgeons. The Princeton yet lies at anchor at the
place where the trightfu accident occurred, with
the bodies on board. Most of the guests have
arrived in the city.
The President Of the United States. who was on
board at the time OF the explosion, but who e.
capped unhurt, remains with the bodies on board
We understand the Princeton will come up in the
morning.
We have stopped the press at o'clock, p NJ.
TO make the above melancholy announcer entl
The astounding event renders us unfit to make
any remarks.of our own. We can only record
the sad occurrence.
The same number Of our paper which contains
the unfortunate GImers address to his constitu-
ents, bears them also the account OF his death.
The last paragraph IN The official notice respect
ing the Canadian prisoners in this number OF our
paper, was written by the lamented Upshur, just
starting on the excursion, and are the last words
he ever wrote.
P. s. We learn that the President has Just ar
rived in the city.
Captain Stockton having, on successive DAYS, ex-
tended INVITATIONS to visit his ship to the Execu-
tive and Committees Of Congress, and then to both
Houscs-nvited the ladies' of the city to an en-
Iisone". vi ,.ls, WniCh was meant as the gaia
day Of his beautiful ship. IL opened brightly. but
has closed In the most dreadful gloom over our
community.
The only circumstance calculated to relieve the
all.pervadng distress, is that OF the multitude of
ladies' who were on board the ship, not one was in
Iured. The happy exemption of such multitude
OF the tender sex, who witnessed the havoc made
in the midst of them Of the most distinguished and
beloved OF their count-ymen, while it brings some
solace to the circle of their immediate friends, can
not but deepen the sympathies which they, and the
whole community, feel for the bereaved families o.
those who have fallen.
Mr.. Upshur and Mr.. Glmer were idols IN the
happy family by which each surrounded
The elder children of Mr.. Gilmer are Just grown
the younger still in the nurses arms. Commodor,
Kennon, Mr.. Maxcy, and Mr.. Gardiner are all tori
from family Instrumentation wives and chill
dren.