Norwich bulletin., 1921-11-11
oDD INCIDENTS IN AMERICAN
 HISTORY
The Explosion of the "Peacemaker"

The Explosion of the "Peacemaker"
 It is not possible to find on the pages of a hundred years history the record of a more awful catastrophe than that which occurred on board the ship Princeton. Commodore Stockton, on the afternoon of February 2S, 1S44, whilst under way on the River Poto- mac, some fifteen miles below Wash ington.
 The war steamer had just been con- structed in the city of Philadelphia according to improved plans enthusi- asticalIy advocated by Capt. Stockton, who had also superintended the cast ing of the guns constituting the steam ships armament. It was principally to exhibit the superiority of these new and formidable weapons of war that Stockton issued cards Of invitation to l a large and brilliant company of both sexes to visit the magnificent ship and l go on an excursion down the river. ] The day was remarkably fine and at II o'clock large party of distin- 1 guished personages assembled at the wharf, including President John Tyler, officers in glittering uniforms, all of 1 well as a number of foreign ministers. 1 who were to take the trip of inspec- ton. < A boat was taken to convey the dis tinguisl.ed guests to the Princeton and The Star Spangled Banner was play ted as they went aboard. Shortly after i the start was made there were a num- 1 Der of naval manoeuvres and evolu- tions,
 Capt. stockton's great gun, called 1 ironically ''The Peacemaker, was loaded with shot, with the intention of making a triral of it's strength and
 efficiency. The gun was pointed to lee l ward and behind it stood Capt. Stock ton. About it were crowded a number
 Of dignitaries.
 On firing the gun a nlurderous blast succeeded-the whole ship shook an6
 reGled-and dense cloud of smoke l enve4oped the whole SIDup on the
 forecastle, but when this blew away
 an awful and heartrending scene pre- scented itself to the view of the husheC
 and agonized spectators. The gun ha(
 burst to a point three or four feet iron the breech and scattered death anC
 destruction all around.
 Secretary of State A. P. Upshur wa
 found to be badly cut over the eye | anu III Ills legs, HIS clOIHeS DGiuS 1t
 erally torn from his body. He expired in very few minutes. Secretary o the Navy Thomas w. Gilmer, unde whose direction the power of thi great gun was tested, was found equal : ly badly injured, and died before an.
 medical assistance could be secure MT. MaXey, who had recently returne 1 from his position as charge d'affaire
 to Belgium, had his arms and one 0
 his legs cut off, and died khortl after the explosion, as did also Nil i Gardiner, of New York, one of who's daughters subsequently, became tn
 wife of President Tyler, and Com | modore Kennon. The flags of the Unio T were placed> over the dead bodies a
 their winding sheets.
 Behind the gun the scene was les l alarming. Capt. Stockton, who wa knocked down and somewhat injure
 and had the hair of his head and fac
 burnt off, was able to arise withou
 assistance. Shreiks of woe were hear 1 from every quarter. In addition t = the deaths g. number of sailors Wer r badly wounded and one dead. Presi ? dent Tyler himself was saved only b
 the merest accident. having been tem