The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-02
AN oLD-TIME NAVAL TRAGEDY.
Bursting of a Gun on the Princeton
More than Half a Century Ago.
Boston Evening Transcript.

bOSIOn Evening 1EduSCIlpl.
The destruction of the war ship Maine
recalls fearful tragedy in United States
naval history, in which the secretaries of
state and navy and other persons were in
Stantly killed, many were wounded, and
the President and several prominent states
men and high officials had extremely mar
row escapes from death.
This catastrophe occurred ffty-four years
ago, on the afternoon of Feb. 2S 1874. on
board the United States war steamer
Princeton, Commodore Stockton, on the
Potomac river, about fifteen miles below
Washington. 1t was the Peacemaker. one
of the larger guns of the ships armament
a new and to the commander a favorite
piece of ordnance. The steamer itself had
just been constructed at Philadelphia ac-
cOrding to improved plans enthusiastically
advocated by Commodore Stockton, who
had also superintendent the casting of the
guns-on a new principle and of great size
and power.
These guns had been thoroughly tested
for several days previous and so far proved
all that was claimed for them.
To exhibit the superiority of these new
and formidable cannon Commodore Stock
ton had invited and received on board a
large and brilliant company of both sexes,
for an excursion down the river In this
party were included President Tyler, Mrs.
Robert Tyler, Miss Cooper John Tyler, jr.,
from the White House; a large number of
officers, in full uniform; all the members
of the Cabinet except Mr.. Spencer; many
other persons of high official rank sena-
tors and representatives, attaches and sec
retaries of legation; General 4Almonte, min
lister from Mexico, ETC., in all about four
hundred persons.
When the Princeton had fairly passed
Fort Washington the Peacemaker was
shotted and fired the effect of which
proved its remarkable power, and won the
admiration Of all on board. An hour after
ward by request, the piece was loaded for
firing a second time. The gun was now
Commodore Stockton; a little to the left Of
him Mr.. J. Washington Tyson, assistant
postmaster general. By the side Of the lat
ter. little behind him, stood Mr.. Striek-
land, of Philadelphia, and a little to the
right of but behind him, Col. Benton, of
Missouri, who had a lady at his arm and
Judge 5. S. Phelps, senator from Vermont.
To the leeward of the gun stood Judge Up
shur, the secretary of state, and Governor
Gilmer, the secretary of the navy and a
late charge dafTaires to Belgium. By the
side of him stood the Hon. Mr.. Gardiner,
of New York, and Commodore Kennon,
chief of the Navy Bureau.
On firing the gun a murderous blast sue
ceeded, the whole ship shook and reeled
entire group on the forecastle but when
this blew away an awful and heartrending
scene presented itself to the view of the
hushed and agOnlzed spectators. The CUR
had burst at point three or four feet
from the breech and scattered death anC
destruction all around.
The lower part Of the gun. from the trun-
mons to the breech, was blown off. Secre-
tary Upshur was badly cut over the eye
and in his legs, and expired in a very few
minutes MIR. Gilmer, of Virginia, undel
whose official direction as secretary of the
navy the power of this great gun was
tested was likewise mortally wounded anc
soon breathed his last. MIR. Maxey had his
arms and one of his legs cut OFF. Mr. Card
ner, of New York. the future father-in-IaV