Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1899-03-10


More Than . Century Ago Scattered Death
aad Observation-Disclosures Tyier's Mar
row Escape srom = Horrible Fate
The destruction of the warship
Maine recalls a fearful tragedy in
United States naval history. in which
the Secretaries of State and the Navy
and other persons were instantly kill
ed, many were wounded. and the
President and several prominent
statesmen and high officials had ex-
tremely narrow escapes from death.
This catastrophe occurred fifty -four
years ago, on the afternoon of Febru-
AIRY %, 1874. on board the United
States war steamer Princeton, Commo-
dore Stockton on the Potomac River,
about fifteen miles below Washington.
II was the Peacemaker, one OF the
larger guns OF the ships armament,
new and TO the commander a favorite
piece of ordance-
To exhibit the superiority of these
new and formidable cannon Commo-
dore Stockton had invited and re-
ceiyed on board a large and brilliant
company of both sexes for an exeur-
sion down the river. In this party
were included President Tyler. Mrs
Robert Tyler, Miss Cooper. John Ty-l
Ter, Jr., from the White House. q
large number of officers, in full uni-s
form; all the members of the Cabinet.
except Mr.. Spencer, many other per
sons of high official rank, Senators
and Representatives. attaches and
secretaries of legation; Gen. Almonte.
Minister from Mexico, &C., in all
about 400 persons.
When the Princeton had fairly pass
was shotted and fired, the effect of
which proved its remarkable power
and won the admiration of 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 it
stood Commodore Stockton; little
TO the left of him Mr.. j. Washington
Tyson, Assistant Postmaster-Genera
BY the side of the latter, little be-
hind him. stood Mr.. Strickland of
Philadelphia, and little to the right
of but behind him. Col. Benton of
Missouri, who had a 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 Gov. Gilmer, the Secretary
of the Navy; and a short distance be
hind 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
succeeded-the whole ship shook and
reeled-and dense cloud of smoke
enyelOped the entire group on the
forecastle; but when this blew away
an awful and heartrending scene pre-
scented itself to the view of the hushed
and agonized spectators. The gun had
burst at point three or four feet from
the breech, and scattered death and
destruction all around
The lower part OF the gun, from the
trunnions to the breech. was blown
on. Secretary Upsnur was badly cut
over the eye and in mis- legs, and ex-
pired in a very few minutes. Mr..
Gilmer of Virginia,-Gnder whose Off
cial direction, as Secretary of the
tested-was likewise mortally wound
ed 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 dozen sailors were badly
wounded; one was dead, and behind
him, Col Benton, Judge Phelps, and
Mr.. Strickland, as If dead. were ex-
tended on the deck. Mr.. Tyson of
Philadelphia, near by, was unhurt, al
though a piece of the gun had passed
through his hat atcut two inches from
his skull President Tyler escaped by
a close margin, he having been called
back from where ne stood just a mo-
ment before.
Col Thomas Hart Benton, author of
My Thirty Years IL tie Senate the
father-in-law of Cen. Fremont, and
one of the most nctad nen of the old
regime, gives an IL .c-sstirg account
of his own experience at the time OF
the explosion. Among other things,
he says:
Lieut.. Hunt carsed the gun to be
worked, to show the ease and precis- |
ion with which her direction could be |
changed. and Thea pointed down the I
river to make the ire, himself and the /
gunners standing rear the breach ons
the right. | opened my mouth wide
TO receive the conclusion in the insisss /
as we'll as on the outside, so az to !
lessen the force of the external shock. I
[ saw the hammer pulled hack, heard
1 tap. saw flash. felt a blast in the
lace, and knew that my hat was eane;
nd that was the last that | knew OF
he world or of myself for "a time. of
hieh | could give no account
The first that | know of myself or
anything afterward was of rising up
the breach of the gun, seeiHg4he
- itself split open: two seamen the