The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-08-04

AN IlrsToBtc SHIP.--Lying at the foot
of Enghern street, in the third district,
is large sailing vessel, now taking in
cargo for some foreign port. This ship
has history of deep and melancholy in
tcrest. Her deck was the scene OF one
of the most awful tragedies that ever oc-
CURED in this nation. 1t was toward the
close of the administration Of John Tyler,
to wit, February 10, 1884, that the Pres.
ident, his Cabinet and many prominent
members of Congress were invited by
Commodore Stockton Of the navy to Wis.
it his flag g.ship, the Princeton, then lying
in the Potomac. The Princeton was then
regarded the model steamship in our ma.
Wy. Her speed and sailing qualities, her
admirable model, the security of her mo-
tive power, which for the first time was
placed below the water line, and her pow
crful armament, all attracted attention.
She carried two 226.poundor wrought.
iron guns, made under the supervision of
Captain Stockton. To test the power and
effectiveness of one Of these guns was one
of the objects of the excursion and the
visit of the high officials
There was largo party, including
many ladies and officers of the army and
navy They were all received with that
hearty welcome, with salutes and cheers
and manning the yards which always
gives such zest to visits to ships OF war
Never was there more joyous party.
Everybody was delighted with the ship
and her enthusiastic, high spirited com.
mander, She was the commodore's petted
and spoilt child, built under his own di.
rection, and with machinery OF his design
or adoption. Her big guns were tho won.
der of the nation Old soldiers and sail
ors were suspicious and dubious about
their safety. But Comr rodorc Stockton
had no doubt Of them, They would e.
ventually superscde the smaller calibre
cast guns After surveying the ship and
inspecting her machinery, the excursion
lists were invited on deck to witness the
experiment with the big gun. The Pres
iden; and Cabinet officials, senators and
high officials were allowed the first posi-.
ton, nearest to the gun The commodore
himself sighted her and gave the order to
fire, The powder ignited and then quick.
ly Gllowed most terrific explosion, which
shook the vessel ike n jolly-boat struck
By a sudden gust Half the company
standing around were thrown 70 the deck
and stunned by the shock.
Then it was discovered by those who
recovered their senses that the great gun
had been broken iuio fragments, which
had been scattered among the bystanders,
killing five and wopnding many, aud
shocking others to such degree that
they never recovered from the effects
thereof during the remainder Of their
lives The killed embraced some Of the
most notable men in the nation, OF these,
the two most distinguished were T. ".
Glmcr and A T. upshrr, members OF
Mr. Ty!vr's Cabinet, who were justly re.
garded by their native State of Virginia
as two OF her ablcst Sons. They were
gentlemon os hieh scholarship, Of great
ability and rare accomplishments. An.
other OF the Killed was Alr. David Gard.
ner, Of New York. whose daughter be.
came the second wifi Of President Tyler,
and who now ro,jd.- va the estate Of her
decreased husband 10 Virginia Commo.
dorc Stockton wa sciiou- injured and
suffered iur many ye,is from the shock of
the explosion. So Gil Colonel Benton,
who was one Of tie company. On q GER
fain or,., lion -tult, yours afterwards ty hpp