Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-03-16
Mistellaueoas 8eadina.
OLD-TIME NAVAL TRAGEDY.
Explosion of the Peacemaker on Potomac
River Many Years Ago.

United States naval history, in which
the secretaries of state and navy and
other eminent persons were instantly
killed, many were wounded, and the
president and several prominent states
men and high officials had extremely
narrow escapes from death, writes.
Charles O. Stickney in The Trans.
cript.
This catastrophe occurred 81 years
ago, on the afternoon of February %,
1914, on board the United States war
steamer Princeton, Commodore Stock.
ton, op the Potomac river, about Is
miles below Washington. 1t was the
Peacemaker, one of the larger guns of
the ships armament, a new, and to the
commander, favorite piece of ord
nance. The steamer itself had just
been constructed at Philadelphia, &C.
cording TO improved plans enthusias'
tically advocated by Commodore Stock
ton, who had also superintended the
casting of the guns-on a new princi-
pie and of great size and power.
These guns had been thoroughly
tested for several days previously, and
so far proved all that was claimed for
them.
To exhibit the superiority of these
new and formidable cannon, Commo-
dore Stockto had invited and received
on board large and brilliant compa-
ny of both sexes for an excursion
down the river. In this party was in
cluded President Tyler, Mrs. Robert
Tyler, Miss Cooper, John Tyler, Jr.,
from the White House; large num-
Der of officers, in full uniform all the
members of the cabinet, except Mr..
Spencer; many other persons of high
official rank, senators and representa-
tives, attaches and secretaries of lega-
lion General Almonte, minister from
Mexico, etc. In all about 400 persons.
When the Princeton had fairly pass
ed Fort Washington, the Peacemaker
was shotted and fired the effect Of
which proved its remarkable power,
and won the admiration of all OIL
board. An hour afterward, by request,
the piece was louded for firing a Sec
ond time. The gun was now pointed
10 leeward, and behind it stood Com
modore Stockton little to the left
of him Mr.. J. Washington Tyson, as"
sistant postmaster general. By the
side of the latter, a little behind him,
stood Mr.. Strickland, ,,of Philadelphia,
and little to the right of, but behind
him, Colonel Benton, Of Missouri, who
had lady at his arm and Judge 5.
S. Phelps, senator from Vermont. To
the leeward of the gun stood Judge
Upshur, the secretary of state, and
Governor Gilmer, the secretary of the
navy; and a short distance behind
them, Mr.. Maxey, the late charge
d'affaires to Belgium. BY the side of
him stood Hon. Mr.. Gardiner, of New
York, and Commodore Kennon, chief
of the navy bureau.
On firing the gun murderous blast
succeeded-the whole ship shook and
reeled-and a dense cloud of smoke
enveloped the entire group on the
forecastle; but when this blew away,
an awful and heartreEding scene pre-
sented itself to the view of the hushed
and agonized spectators. The gun had
burst at point three or four feet from
the breech, and scattered death and
destruction all around.
The lower part of the gun, from the
trunnions to the breech, was blown off.
Secretary Upshur was badly cut over
the eye and in his legs, and expired in
few minutes. Governor Gilmer, of
Virginia-under whose official direc-
tions, as secretary of the navy, the
power of this great gun was tested
was likewise mortally wounded, and
soon breathed his last. Mr.. Maxey had
his arms and one of his legs cut off.
Mr.. Gardiner, of New York-the fut-
ure father-in-law of President Tyler
and Commodore Kennon died 10 about
half an hour.
About dozen sailors were badly
wounded one was dead, and behind
him, Colonel Benton, Judge Phelps
and Mr.. Strickland, as if dead, were
entenGed on the deck. Mr.. Tyson, of
Philadelphia, near by, was uuhurt, al
though a piece of the gun had passed
Through his hat about two inches from
his skull. President Tyler escaped by
d close margin, he having been tenn
porarily called back from where he
stood Just a moment before.
Commodore Stockton, knocked down
and somewhat injured, all the hair of
his head and face burned off, rose at
once to his feet, mounted the wooden
carriage, and surveyed the scene.
Shrieks of woe were heard from every
ouarter-death and desolalion, blood
and mangled remains, were all around.
Mayor Seaton, of Washington, had
nearly as narrow escape as did the
president; he had started to accom-
pany Mr.. Gilmer to see the cannon
fired, but was delayed by difficulty
iu fuding his cloak and hat.
The funeral procession few days
aflerward was one OF the most sad and
imposing ever seen in Washington. 1t
was led by Generals Scott and Jones,
with splendid military escort. Among
the distinguished pallbearers We're
Messrs. Archer, Morgan, Bolton, Tot
ten, Worth, Gibson, Aulick, Shubrick
Crane, Towson, Kennedy, Hunt, Bar
uard, Fish, and Kendall. All depart
ments of the government-legislative,
executive, judicial, military, and naval
were largely represented in the vast
and magnificent procession aud min
ute guns and tolling bells added their