The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-03-14

times with wad only. Every day after the hr.lg
washed her out with warm water, aud
after every fire | examined her myself on The
outside. After The first fire Of The gun
at Sandy Hook, | saw a small scale
on the inside Of the gun about foot from
The muzzle where il is still visible. MIR Hunt
was always very particular in waddiDg the gun,
aud on every occasion personally superintend-
| ed ii.
! The last loading of the gun, he himself put
The powder IN the gun | was always at the
printing wire. After the fifth or sixth fire of the
gun Capt Stockton assisted himself, and mark
| ed the hammer.
The partridge was always carried home with
the rammer-a wad Of ten inches placed in The
chamber, aud that ramIned home-the bail put
| IN the muZZle, rolled home and by The printing
wire II could be perceived that II compressed
the powder. do not think the gun has been
| fired al a less elevation than three degrees
| The powder was all weighed and placed in the
cartridges and cannislers.
| also superintendent some Of the experiments
with the first of the large guns, but they ad
nearly concluded before reached Sandy Hook,
August lIth, lS43. AT the Hook, fired the
| first gun (ihe OregoD).
| Prior TO my going there she had been fired,
aud discovered that water ran through her
| ! fired her twice. with charges Of 81 lbs. powder
and ball Of 2l2 lbs once with II lbs. powder
and ball. On examination it wa, found that no
| change had been produced by this firing. This
was, believe, The last of her firing.
| The peace Maker" was made at the foundry
Of Mr.. Ward, in New York
Hugh Kelley, quarter gunner on board the
Princeton, being duly sworn, says
Ques Were you at Sandy Hook when the
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 10
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 experme MIS- conlin-
ued, and perceived no change in the gun or in
the crack in it during the subsequent firing |
assisted IN loading the gun, putting in The shot.
On the day oil The explosion the loading VAS
done IN perfect way-never saw more care
taken. | had assisted ia loading her about
twelve times.
Edmund Parker fireman on board the Prince
ton, sworn and depOses:
Question. Were you at Sandy Hook when
| the experiments and trials were made on the
"Oregon" and Peace Maker" and have you
| since b. en- on board the Princeton?
1nsuer Yes.
Question. What was your duty at Sandy
Hook
Ansuer. | wa. at the elevating screw. AT
the first fire he gun was on the sand, not on
carriage the charge was IS lbs OF powder, as
understood, and solid sho' after the fire, ex-
ahmed the gun and found crack we then
mounted her on a gun and fred think. three
rounds with IA lbs. powd,r and solid shot; 90
change Was perceiv.d the firing then stopped
and bands OF, | believe, 3 l-2 inches Thickness
were put on her.
Alter The bands were put we continued
our hring, and fired | should think at different
llmes, l3O shot, sometimes Is or 90 day and
III rapid succession-saw no change in the gun
or IL the crack. and felt under no Apprehension.
The charges ranged from Ia 10 IS ID.
James Granger, seaman on board the Prince
ton, being duly orn, says
Ques. Were YOU on board The Princeton
aud did you assIs, in loading the gun which
burst2
Ans. Yes.
Cues. State whether the loadil was az usu-
al, and was II carefully attended TO Add BY
whom2
Ans. assisted in loading the gun from the
time she was taken on board. She was always
carefully loaded, and on the last occasion as
carefully as had ever known her. Harrington
assisted In The loading Mr.. Hunt superinlended
and directed every thing, and every order that
he gave was carefully performed.
DAVID Harrington, seaman on board The
Princeton, being duly sworn, says
Cues. 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.
Aus. Was on board Assisted 10 the leading,
assisted in loading the gun ON every occasion
but two, from the time II was taken on board
Great care and attention were always given 10
the loading
On The last occasion every care was tax
and ! particularly, after ramming down the
charge, rammed 1t 'sgan" myself. TO be pr.
iectIy sure that every thing was right. Grange
assisted in the loading
Mr. King, the Gunner was al the primipy
wire, and reported 1t was home
Mr. Hunt superintendent and ordered ever,
thing relating TO the loading.
captain W llllsm {. Bolton, President Of the
'Ourt, being duly sworn, says
cues. Were you on board the Princeton AZ
me time OF the explosion of the large gun
what did YOU observe as TO the conduct pi
SaptaIn stockton, the officers and crew OF the
Princeion7
Ans. was on board the Princeton on thai
occasion, a one Of the invited guests 4 c,n.
sdered The conduct OF the Captain. officers and
crew, under such appalling circumstances.
hlghly liaiseworhy aud meritorous rsp.ci-
any that OF Lieut.. Thompson, who came more
immediately and constantly under my obserya-
uon, he being officer Of III. deck for the day
happ' ned TO be the Senior Naval Officer on
CURED.
saw Capt. Stockton some 20 minutes after
he was carried below, for the ir.i time after the
explosion; he was apparently much injured.
and suffering great pain. Before the ship an.
chored, saw him a second time and spoke
cheerngly and soohingly to him he appeared
sell possessed and much composed and en-.
sldered hlm as perfectly competent to give any
orders.