The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-03-23
OLD.TIME NAVAL TRAGEDY.
EXPLOSION OF TIE PEAcEMAKER ON
POTOMAC RIVER MANY YEARS AGO.

~ VIVIAN nj In H'NiN GFiiS 'NNS'
The Secretaries OF the Navy and stste ard
othev Eminent Persons We're Instantly
Kined-Many Osaers wounded-A Call
sor tho President.
The destruction Of the Tarship
Maine recalls a fearful tragedy in
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 aud several prominent states
men and high officials had extremely
narrow escapes from death. This ca
tastrophe occurred 81 years ago. on
the aiternoon Of February 2S, 1914, on
board the United States war steamer
Princeton, Commodore Stockton, on
the Potomac river, about Is miles De
low Washington. L was the Peace
maker, cne Of the larger guns OF the
ships armament, a new, ana to the
commander, g favorite piece OF ord
nance. The steamer itself had just
been constructed st Philadelphia, &C.
cording to improved plans enthusias'
tically advocated By Commodore
Stockton, who had also superintended
the casting o. the guns-on a new
principle and Of great size and power.
These guns had been thoroughly test
ed 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 Stockton had invited and recelv'
ed on board a large and brilliant com
pany of both sexes for an excursion
down the river. In this party was N.
cludad President Tyler, Mrs. Robert
Tyler, Miss Cooper, John Tyler, Jr.,
from the White House: a large mum
Der of officers in full uniform; ali the
members Of the cabinet, except Mr..
Spencer; many other persons OF high
official rank, senator's and representa-
tives, attaches and secretaries Of lega-
ton; General Almonte, minister from
Mexico, etc. In all about 400 persons.
When the Princeton had fairly pas
sed Fort Washington, the Peacemaker
was shosted and fired; the effect OF
which proved its remarkable power,
and won the admiration all on
board. An hour afterWard, by re-
quest, the piece was loaded for firing
second time. The gun was now
pointed to leeward, and behind if
stood Commodore Stockton; a little to
the left of him Mr.. J. Washington
Tyson. assistant postmaster general.
By the side of the latter, q little bs-
hind him, stood Mr.. Strickland, OF
Philadelphia, and q little to the right
of, but behind him, Colonel Benton,
! of Missouri, who had q lady at his
arm, and Judge S. 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 dis
tance behind them, Mr.. Maxey, the
late charge d'afaires to Belgium. By
the side of him stood Hon. Mr.. Gardi'
ner, of New York, and Commodore
Kennon, chief of the navy bureau.
On firing the gun murderous blast
succeeded-the whole ship shook ano
reeled-and a dense cloud OF smoke
envelopsd the entire group on the
forecastle; but when this blew away,
an awful and heartrending scene pre-
sented itself to the view OF the hushed
and agonized spectators. The gun had
burst at e point three or four feet from
the brsech, and scattered death and
destruction all around. The lover
part of the gun, from the trunnions
to the bresch, was blown off. Secre
tary Upshur was badly cut over the
eye and in his legs, and expired in
/ few minutes. Governor Gumer, oil
Virginia-under whose official direc-
tons, as secretary of the navy, the
power Of this great gun Waa tested
! was likewise morEally wounded, and
soon breathed his last. Mr.. Maxey
mad his arms and one of his legs cut
off. Mr.. Gardiner, of New York
the future father.in-law of President
Tyler-and Commodore Kennon died
| in about half an hour.
About a dozen sailors were badly
wounded; one was dead, and behind
kim, Colonel Benton, Judge Phelps
and Mr.. Strickland, as if dead, were
extended on the deck. Mr.. Tyson, oil
Philadelphia, near by, was unhurt,
although piece OF the gun had pass
ed through his hat about two inches
from his skull. President Tyler es
capped by close margin, he having
been temporarily called back from
where he stood just moment before
tCommodore Stockton, knocked down
and somewhat injured, the hair of his
head and face burned of, rose at once
to his feet, mounted the wooden car
riage, and surveyed the scene. Snriek<
of woe were heard from every quarter
death and desolation, blood anc
Emangled remains were all around
Mayor Seaton, Of Washington, hac
nearly as narrow escape as did the
president; he had started TO accompa
ny Mr.. Gilmer to see the cannon fired
but was delayed by difficulty in find
ing his CLOAK ard nat.
The funeral procession few day:
Esfterward was one OF the mos. sad anc
! Imposing ever seen in Washington
It wss led BY Generals Scott anc
Jones, with asplendid military escort
Among the distinguished pallbearer:
were Messrs. Archer, Morgan, Bolton
Totten, Worth, Gibson, Aulick, Sau
brick, Crane, ToTson, Kennedy, Hunt
barnard, Fish and Kendall. AL de
partments Of the government-legls
iIati7e. executive, Judicial, military
and naval were largely represented IL
the vast and magnificent procession
and minute guns and tolling bells
Eadded their voices to the general re
1 rrIiarn