Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-03-16
- ". 81 Is4Ntbss. ccc y W HsS -
Hon. III. DoDGE, H.of Representatives.
TERRIBLE CALAMITY.


We are indebted 10 Galena Gazette Elk
ira-for the following accoun. Of horrid ca
!asirophy which recently occurred on board of
the Z. s. Ship Princeton, in the Potomac, a
few miles below Washington City. The
statement purporis tohaye appeared, originally.
in The National In,ellisencer; bp. the absence
Of date. The fact that a similar excursion, on
board the same ship and with precisely the
same object. had taken place few days pre-.
viously, renders it quite possible thai it may
never have had an existence in the columns OF
that paper. Should this ground OF hope prove
falacious, the country has seldom been called
TO contemplate an occurrence ola more nelan-
choly character:
Yesterday was day appointed by
the courtesy and hospitality Of Capt.
Stockton, commander Of the Prince
ton, for receiving as visitors to his fine
ship, laying off Alexandra) grca,
number 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 than 400! among whom
were the President of the United
States, the heads of the several depart
ments and their families. At proper
hour after the arrival Of the guests, the
vessel got under way and proceeded
down the river to some distance below
Fort Washington. During the pas
sage down, one Of the large guns on
board, carrying ball Of 225 pounds,
was fired more than once, exhibiting
the great power and capcity Of that for
midable weapon of war. The ladies'
had partaken Of sumptuous repast !;
the gentlemen had succeeded them at
the table, and some Of them had left it;
the vessel was on her return by the
river, opposite the fort, where Capt.
Stockton consented 10 fire another
shot from the same gun, around and
near which, TO observe its effects, ma
ny persons had gthered, though by no
means so many as on similar discharg-
es 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 followed before the smoke cleared
away so as TO observe its effect. by
shrieks ofwoe which announceda dire
ful calamity. The gun had burst, at a
point three or four feet from the
1reech, and scattered death and desola-
ion around. Mr., Upshcr, Secretary
,f State, Mr.. Gilmer, so recently pla-
ced a, the head Of the Navy, Commo-
lore Kennon, one Of its gallant officers.
Virgil Maxey, lately returned from a
diplomatic residence at the Hague,
Colonel Gardner, Of New York, Tor
nerly a member OF the Senate from
hat Sta,e), were among the slain. Be-
sides these, seventeen seamen were
several Of them badly and
probably MORALLY. Among those
stunned by the conclusion, we learn
notall seriouslyinjured, ara Capt. Stock
ton himself. Col. Benton Of the SEN
ale. Lieut.. Hunt of the Princeton; w.
D. Robertson of &c orgetowGr Other
persons were more or less injured, of
whom in the horror and confusion OF
the moment, no certain account could
be obtained. The above arc 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 imagination picture 10 IL
self the half Of lis horrors. Wives.
widowed in an instan, BY The murder
Gus blast! Daughters, smitten with
the heart-rending sight of,heir fathers
lifeless corpse. The wailing of the ar
ouised females! The piteous grief Of
the unhurt but heart-s,ricken specta-
tors. The wounded sesmen borne
down below. The silent tears and
quivering lips of,heir brave and hon
est comrades, who tried in rain TO sub
due or conceal their feelings, What
pords can adequately depict scene
like this?
The bodies OF the killed remained
on board the ship las, night. They
will be brought 10 the city this morn
ing,
A letter TO US from member of
Congress, dated on that evening Of the
- 1