The evening times., 1898-03-02
AN OLD-TIME NAVAL TRAGEDY.
The Bursting of Gun ON the Prince
ton in 1874

| recalls a fearful tragedy in United States
naval history, in which the Secretaries
of State and the Navy and other per-
sons were instantly killed, many were
wounded, and the President and several
prominent statesmen and high officials
had extremely narrow escapes from
death.
This catastrophe occurred ffty-fOur
years ago. on the afternoon Of February
.. 1SH on board the United States war
steamer Princeton Commodore Stockton.
on the Potomac River. about fifteen miles
below. Washington. II was caused
by the explosion of the Peace
maker, one Of the larger guns Of the
ships armament. new and to the COM
mander fayorite piece of ordnance. The
steamer itself had just been constructed
at Philadelphia according TO improved
plans enthusiastically advocated by
Commodore Stockton. who had also su-
perintended the casting of the guns-on
a new principle 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 Commodore
oNbNhtbA Aidh 4iNitcu anu IcCciNcu O0
board large and brilliant company OF
both sexes for an excursion down the
river. In this party were included Pres
ident Tyler. Mrs. Robert Tyler. Miss
Cooper. John Tyler, jr., from the White
House; a large number of officers. in fun
uniform; all the members Of the Cabinet.
except MIR. Spencer; many other persons
of high official rank Senators and Rep
resentauVes. attaches and secretaries Of
legation; Gen. Almonte minister from
Mexico. etc. in all about 400 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 af-
terward, by request. the piece was loaded
for firing a second time. The gun was
now pointed to leeward and behind IL
stood Commodore stockton: little to the
left of him Mr. j. Washington TYSON.
Assistant Postmaster General. BY the
side of the latter, a little behind him
stood Mr.. Strickland. of Philadelphia. and
a little to the right Of but behind. him
Col. Benton. of Missouri. who had lady
at his arm. and Judge 5. s. Phelps. Sen
ator from Vermont. To the Ieeward of
the gun stood Judge Upshur the Secre-
tary OF State and Gov. Gilmer the Sec
retary of the Navy: and a short distance
behind them Mr.. Maxey. the late charge
d'affaires 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 murderOus blast sue
ceeded-the whole ship shook and reeIed
and a dense cloud Of smoke enveloped
the entire group on the fOrecastle: but
when this blew away an awful and heart
rending scene presented itself TO the view
of the hushed and agonized spectators.
l,.,I
-four feet from the breech. and scattered
death and destruction all around.
The lower part of the gun. from the
tTunnions to the breech. was blown off
Secretary CpshuT was badly cut over the
eye and in his legs. and expired i'm a very
few minutes. Mr.. Gilmer. of Virginia
under whose official direction. as Secre-
tary 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
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 him.
Col. Benton. Judge Phelps and Mr.. Strick-
land, if dead. were extended on the
deck. MIR. Tyson. of Philadelphia, near
by. was unhurt, although u piece of the |
gun had passed through his hat about |
two inches from his skull President Ty-
Ter escaped by close margin. he having /
been called back from where he stood /
just a moment before.
Commodore Stockton. knocked down |
and somwhat injured all the hair of his |
head and face burned off. rose at once /!
10 his feet. mounted the wooden car
riage and surveyed the scene. Shrieks of |
woe were heard from every quarter |
death and desOlation. blood and mangled |
remains were all around. Mayor Sea- |
ton, of Washington. had nearly as mar |
row an escape did the President; he |
had started to accompany Mr.. Gilmer 10 |
see the cannon fired. but was delayed by |
a difficulty in finding his cloak and hat. |
The funeral procession few days af- |
terward was one of the most sad and i'm 4
posing ever seen in Washington IL was /
led by Gems. Scott and Jones. with a \
splendid military escort. Among the /
distinguished pallbearers were Messrs. |
Archer Morgan. Bolton, TOtten, Worth. |
Gibson Aulick Shubrick. Crane, Tow |
son. Kennedy Hunt. Barnard. Fish /
andHISendall. All the departments of the /
Government. legislative. executive. judi !
cial. military and naval. were largely |
in the vast and magnificent |
procession. and minute guns and tolling |
bells added their voices to the general re-
QUEEN.
Col. Thomas Hart Benton. author of |
my Thirty Years in the Senate" the |
of Gen. Fremont. and one |
of the most noted men of the old re- /
gime. gives an interesting account of his |
own experience at the time of the explo- |
sion Among other things. he says:
Lieut.. Hunt caused the gun to be |