The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-01

3dech when her husband fell. Il was the third dis
7charge OF the gun (and fired at the request OF M
zCiilmer) that burst il. The daughter OF Mr.. Upj
4shur, several Of the family OF Com. kennon, and
Slhe daughters of Mr.. Gardiner, were on board the
Esteamer; but none of them, except Mrs. Gilmer,
kwere apprlzed OF the death OF those most dear to
kthem until after their return to the city. Almost
Eall the ladies' were below, at dinner, when the cal
Catastrophe occurred. Mrs. Gilmer was brought to
She city almost In state OF Distraction
There were two hundred ladies on board, and
gdurng the two discharges OF the gun, were on the
Sdeck and many OF them approached very near toj
sobserve the course of the ball after II struck thel
attended the ladies to dinner before the third dis
scharge
loa o'clock, p NJ.
There only six killed in all.
Judge Upshur, Gov. Gilmer, Col Gardiner ~ Y Vrl
}gil Maxcy late Charge Com. Kennon colored boy
inamed Henry, the Presidents .ervant.
recover He was standing ut the butt OF the gun when
Exploded and piece Of it each side OF hmhs
oder Col Gardner had both and both legs blown off
Maxcy's arm was blown oft clean by the shoulder.
Commodore Kennon had one leg and one arm blown off
There wero about twelve fourteen sailors wounded
but Mr. Elliott says il is thought they will all recover
Mr. Glmer was killed by fragment striking him on
1the forehead.
Mr. Upshurs legs and broken ard his bowels
3torn out.
They all died instantly but the Presidents serv ant
who lived about ten minutes but never spoke however
a Commodore Kennon gave but one sigh.
The bodies to be brought up to the city at 10 O'Clock
The funeral of Colonel Gardiner is take place from
4the Presidents house
The Presidents youngest son was pro,identialy ayet
see the gun fred and dragged him back to take wine
siwith him.
u lOi O'clock, PM.
q most heartrending disaster has occurred this
on hoard the Princeton this day, by which two Ca
bnet Ministers and several other persons have been hur
Dried into eternity and others seriously injured
ithat their lives are despaired Of
4 The debate the oregon question in the Senate, was
q
3ty to make excursion down the Potomac in the new
3s,eam gae Princeton the pride OF our navy The day
Eon board The Princeton made delightful trip as far
down Mount Vernon and then returned towards this
1city On her way hher. Captain Stockton entertained
ahs guests bounteousy spread table where the great
fest hilarity prevailed. When approaching Alexandria
principal and most distinguished guests were invited
DICK to witness the discharge Of the great gun cale
the Peace Maker but sooner was the match applied
she exploded the breach and scattered death and
.,destruction around her Judge Upshur, Secretary OF
Estate had his leg blown nts the air Colonel Gardner of
Gardner's Island, New York. likewise horribly mu
Inflated in like manner.
Governor Gmer just appointed Secretary of the Navy
was killed nsantaneously; also Mr. Maxcy. late repre-
sentatve OF this country AZ Charge de Affairs to Belgium
;and Commodore Kennon, late Commandan of the Wash
ngton Navy Yard Five saiors were also killed. Capt.,
SocEon and Colonel Benton, Missouri Senator it is said
fare much injured
i The list stands thus -
4 Judge Upsher, Secretary of State.I
1 Governor Gilmer, Secretary Of the Navy.
Virgil Msxcy, Esq OF Maryland, late Charge to Bell
Egiuu,.
4 Colonel Gardner, of New York
Commodore Kennon.
Five sailors.
SERIOUSLY INJURED.
! Capt. Stockton, OF the Princeton.
Col Benton, United States Senator from Missouri, and
many others whose names are not ascerained.
The on board horrible and heartrendng in
5the extreme. There several hundred persons on
board. amongst whom were many ladies'. Mrs. Gmer
twas in the cabin when her husband met horrible a
death Other ladies' besides the horror which such
astrophe would naturally create frantic respecting
the safety OF their relations and it was long before the
exent Of the disaster nscertained The explosion
occurred about sun set two miles below Alexandria
One lady who deck at the time, escaped miracu
oAslyher hea dress having been struck by piece OF
cannon and her hair snged with no injury to her
person She thrown PROSTATE by the concussion as
dwere many others.
Mr. wilkins Secretary of War; escaped destruction by
removing another part Of the vessel remarking that
though he Secretary of War he was afraid of that
gun The President Of the United States was below ut
the time OF the accident.
Mr. Senator Phelps of Vermont had his hat blown from
his head but he received personal injury. Several
members of the House Of Representatives present
but no one received any injury Col Seaton. Mayor of
and by this trng circumstancewas probably preserved
1.-THE President of the United States his way from
1.-THE cabin to accompany Gov Gmer to witness the trial
yof the gun. but hearing strike up song at the
dinner table returned his seat and thus may have
ESCAPED the fate of two members OF his Cabinet!
Captain Stockton is dying.
Mr. Benton is recovering he suffered only by the con
The dead bodies are left on board the Princeton She
.lays near Alexandria
From the WING Standard Extra Feb. 2s.l
! AwrUL AccIDENr-THE SECRETARIES OF STATE
iAND NAVY KTLLED.-About seven O'Clock last
7evenlng intelligence reached this city that an
and heare-rending accident had occurred
Jon board the steamer Princeton. by the bursting
of one OF her large guns, by which Mr.. Upshur,
Secretary Of State Mr. Gilmer. Secretary Of the Ma
IVY, Com. Kennon Chief OF the Bureau OF Construc-
of New York. were killed and Senator Benton and Capt
Stockton severely and It is said dangerously wounded
We learn that several others are killed and many NOR
tally wounded whose names were not known when our
informant left the vessel The President Of the United
Estates, the Mayor of Washington and several Senators
and members OF the House. as well as many citizens
son board, including large number oil ladies' and the
scene is described as truly heart rendng. We under'
sand that the accident occurred amidst the greatest h
ary and enjoyment and truly is this Instance of the
scorrectness Of the SENTIMENT in the midst of life
Tin death" The gloon that now pervades eur city is deep
of course reference the event. but enough sea
tdy ascertaned to spread gloom throughout the land
wherever heart TO sympathse and condoe can be found
4 STILL LATER.
NFURTTfER AND MORE AUTHENTIC P.aRTTCU.
a LARS,
Received by Last Nights Mail.
j From the National Inegencer of Thursday Morning.
Instantaneous death, by the bursting of the large
q gun board the United States Ship Princeton,
a Of Secretary Upaiur, Secretary GImG, Commo-
8 dore Rennon, and VugH Macy, Esq.
4 Most AwfuI and Most Lamentable Catas-
u trOpne!
81 In the whole of lives il has fallen
EouI lot to readers most shocking caam
ayshockng in all its circumstances and concomitants
Ethan that which occurred hoard the u ship Prince
ton yesterday afternoon whilst under way in the river
SPotomac fourteen fifteen miles below this city.
Yesterday day appointed by the courtesy ant
Hospitality OF Capt Stockton Commander OF the Prince
ton for receiving vsiters TO his fine ship Dying Of
Aexandraa great number of guests with their families
iberally and numerously invited to spend the day
iboard
The day most favorable and the company large
and brilliant of both sexes, not less probably in numbe
Ethan four hundred, among whom were the President
1.-THE United States, the Heads of the several Departments
dand their families. At proper hour after the arrival
he expected guests the vessel got under way and pro
oceeded down the river to some distance below For
washington.
During the passage down, of the large guns OF
dboard carrying ball Of 22o pound) was fired thar
aonce exhibiting the great power and capacity of that for
3midabe weapon of war The ladies had partaken of
umptuous repast the gentlemen had succeeded them
4the table, and some Of them had left it
The vessel her return up the river opposite e
fine fort where Captain Stockton consented to fire another