The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-21
AN OLD-TIME NAVAL TRAGEDY.
Bursting of a Gun on the Princeton
More Than Half u Century Ago.

More Than Half u Century Ago.
The destruction Of the warship Maine
recalls a fearful tragedy In United Stats
naval history. In which the secretaries II
state and the navy and other persons
were instantly killed, many were wound
| ed, and IN, president and several promi-
nsnt statesmen and high officials had ex' :
tremsly narrow escapes from death.
| This catastrophe occurred 1fuy-four
! years ago. on the afternoon Of February
2s ls44. on board the United states war
| steamer Princeton, Comm odors Stockton,
on the Potomac river, about fifteen miles
below Washington. 1t was the Peace
maker, one of the larger guns Of the
| ships armament q new and to the COM
msnder favorite piece CT ordnance.
| lhs steamer itself had just bsen con-
struc,ed at Philadelphia according to im-
proved plans enthusiastically advocated
| by Commodore stockton, VINO had also
superintended the casting of the guns
| on a new principle and of great size and
power
These guns had been thoroughly tested
proved all that was claimed fer them.
10 exhibit ths superiority Of thess new
and formidable cannon Commodore
Stockton mad invited and received on
board large and brilliant company of
both sexes for an excursion down the
river. In this party were included Pres
ident Tyler, Nrs Robert Tyler, Miss
Tnh Unsl lar Ir frnn hn IN "a
House. a lsrgs numter of officers in full
uniform, sll this membMs OF the cabinet
except Mr. spencer. many other persons
of high official rank. senators and repre-
ssntativts attaches and secretaries CT le-
cation. General Almonte. minister from
| Mexico, etc in all about 400 persons.
When The Princeton had fairly passed
shotted and fired, the effect Of which
, proved It's remarkable power, snd won
the admiration of all on board. An hour
after ward, By request the piece was load
ed for firing a second time. The gun
was now pointed leeward, and behind 10
stvod Commodore Stockton. little to
the left OF him Mr.. j. Washington Ty
the side Of the latter. little behind
him, stood mr.. Strickland Of Fhilsdel-
phis, and little tn tie right of but te-
bind him, Colonel Benton OF Missouri
who nad q lsdy at his arm, and Judge 4.
5. Phelps. senator from Vermont TO
the leeward Of tire gun stood Judge
Upshur, tie Secretary of State, and Gov
- q r..
and . short distance behind them Mr..
Maxey, tire late charge d'sffaires to Bel
gium. by the side Of him stood the Hon.
Mr.. Gardner OF New York and Conmo-
dore Kennon, chief Of the navy reau
On firing the gun q murderous blast
suceeeded-the whole ship shook and
reeled---and dense cloud Of smoke envsi.
o, ed the entire group on the forecastle;
but when sSis blew away an awful and
heartrendlng scene resented itself 20 the
view OF the hushei and agoniZed spec
tators. The gun had burst at q point
three or four feet from tho Lreleh, snd
scattered death and destruction all
around
TIE lower part of - gun, from tho
lrunniOfs 10 iit iioeCIt - blOWn OIL.
Secretary Upshur was dly cut over
the eye and in his legs, and expiret In a
few minutes. Mr. Inner OF virsiuia--
under whose Official direction. as secrs-
tsry OF the ravy, the power of this great
gun was tcsted-was likewise mtrtslly
wounded and soon breathed his last Mr
Msxsy had his arms and one of his legs
cut OF. Mr. Gardner OF New Yors--
the future father-in-law q President Ty.
lsr-snd 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 aud MT
Strickland, a. II dead. were extended on
the deck Mr. Tyson a flilsdelphil. a.
near by. wts unhurt although a pi % of
the gun had PASSED through his hot about
two iucbes frlm his skull. prssicc-t 1y.
l'r escaped by olaso mar. in, le having
he1 called task fr,m where he stood
just moment befor7
,rmms dore Stocston. kn, ci cd dow and
! somewhat injured. all We hair Of his head