New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-11
SAN FRANCISCO INNING STOCKS.
AN OLD-TTNE NAVAL TRAGEDY.
EXPLOSION OF THE PEACEMAKER ON THE
POTOMAC RIVER MANY YEARS AGO
rom The Boston Transcript.

Z
The destruction OF the blttle-ship Maine recalls a
fearful tragedy In United states naval history in
eminent persons were instantly killed many were
wounded. and the President ard several prominent
ssosnas 3o and de 9ifh Oe' ha'
This catastrophe occurred hfty-tour years ago, on
the afternoon OF February 2S 1914 board the
United States steamer Princeton. Commodore
beoW Wa oh ry It was the Peacemaker one
OF the larger guns OF the ships armament, new,
and to the commander favorie piece Of ordnance
The steamer Itself mad just been constructed at
Philadelphia. according to improved plans enthu-
had ' also superiniended the casting Of the sunson
new principle and Of srcat SIC and power YER
days previously. ard so tar proved all that was
To exhibit the superiority OF these new and for;
midable cannon Conmodore Stockton had invited
OF both sexes. for an excursion down the river an
this party were included President Tyler, Mrs Roo
White House: q large number OF officers in full
uniform: all the members OF the Cabinet. except
rank Senators ana Represenatves attaches and
secretaries OF legation, General Almonte Minister
When the Princeton had fairly passed Fort Wash
the vas n9d ana sq an ni
the admiration OF all on board. An hour after
ward by request the piece was b oa5fd Tor nng
and behind it stood Commodore stockton; little 70
the left Of him J. Washington, Tyson, Assistant
little Behind him stood Mr Strickland, Of Phiqde
phia, and little to the right Of but behind NM
arm. and Judge S. 5. Phelps; Senator from YER
pshH the Secretary OF State ana Go low, Gil
behind their Mr. MaXcy the late Charge d AnAirca
to Belgium BY the side OF him stood Mr.. Gardiner
OF New,York. and Commodore kennon. Chief OF the
on firing the gun. a murderous blast succeeded,
OF SMOKE en1eopei the entire group on the fore
castle; but when this blew away an awful and
Inc 4ushed ana r o pr fot from the breech
apdco al 1aa ~ and DO q
The lower part Of the gun. from the trunnons TO
the breech was blown off, Secretary tpshur was
ginaHunder whose official directions. as Secretary
ed-was likewise mortally wounded. and soon
% S af his d Mr. M Rna his Of a34
and Commodore Kepnon died in about half an hour
was dead. and behind him Colonel Benton. Judge
p dR r Rgd as M ~ 5oa Il dsf sss"a
by. was unhurt. although piece OF the gun nad
skull President Tyler escaped by a close marg.n,
ne having been temporarily. called back from where
Commodore stockton, knocked down and some,
what injured all the hair Of MS head ana i FACE acc
wooden carriage and surveyed the scene shrieSs
OF woe were heard from every, quarter: death and
around Mayor Seaton OF Washington had nearly
star,ed 10 acoompsny Mr elmer 70 see the cannon
fired. but was delayed BY difficulty In finding his
The funeral procession a, few days afterward was
OF the most sad and imposing ever seen ~
Washington II was led by Generals Scott and
Jones with a splendid military escort among tho
distinguished pall-bearers were Mcssrs. Archer.
Morgan Bolton Totten Worth, Gibson, Aul!ck'
Shubrick Crane Towson. Kennedy. Hunt Barnard,
Fish and Kendall. All departments OF me Govern,
ment-legislatlye, executive judicial, military ana
naval-were largely represented In the vast ana
MAGNIFICENT procession. and mlnute-guns ana toNIns
bells added their voices to the general requiem
Colore Thomas Hart Benton author OF MY
Thirt, Years In the Senate" the father-in-law OF
General Fremont and one OF the most nGed men O.
the old regime. gives interesting account Of his
experience AT the time OF the eAp4os.oh AiOlS
other things he says; . .
Lieutenant Hunt caused the gun 70 be worked. 70
show the ease and precision with which her diroc-
ton could be changed. ana then pointed down the
river 10 make the Are, himself and the gunners
standing near the hreech on the right. ! opened
ny mouth wide 20 receive the conclusion on the IN
side az we'll as on the outside, 10 lessen tho
force OF the external shock ! saw the hammer
pulled hack heard tap. saw fash. felt blast In
the face. and knew that nv hat was gone; and that
was the last that knew OF the world or OF myself
for a time. OF which could give no account
THE first that knew OF myself or OF anything
afterward OF rising up az the breech OF the gun.
seeing the gun itself split open. Two scamen, the
blood oozing from their and nostrils rising and
Keeling near me- Commodore stockton. nat gone
and face blackcned standing bolt upright. staring
nXcdiy upon the shattered gun. had heard no
noise no more than the dead. ! only knew that
the gun had burst from seeing the fragments |
had gone through the experience ~ a sudden death,
as II from lightning. which eXtnGuShes knowledge
and sensation md ;akcs out 81 the world with
out though, or fcellng | think know what u "a
10 die without knowing It. and that such death Is
nothing 10 him that reViVes
Young Mother-He is somewhat cross to-day lie
!" Oh Rashelor dn great OF the mite OF hu-
lie, Ana when DO you expect him TO COM
n,cncaZer-commence hair.ng?-(Tit BitA