USS Princeton 1843-1849
Image Credits: Lithograph by N. Currier, New York, 1844
U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command history.navy.mil
wikipedia.org & wikimedia.org
President Tyler hosted a public reception for Stockton in the White House on February 27, 1844. On February 28, [the] USS Princeton departed Alexandria, Virginia, on a demonstration cruise down the Potomac with Tyler, members of his cabinet, former First Lady Dolley Madison, Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri and about 400 guests. Captain Stockton decided to fire the larger of her two long guns, Peacemaker, to impress his guests. Peacemaker was fired three times on the trip downriver and was loaded to fire a salute to George Washington as the ship passed Mount Vernon on the return trip. The guests aboard viewed the first set of firings, [then] retired below decks for lunch and refreshments.
Awful Explosion of the Peacemaker on board the
U.S. steam frigate Princeton on Wednesday, 28 Feb. 1844
Image Credits: Lithograph by N. Currier/Currier & Ives
Gale Research
Library of Congress
wikipedia.org & wikimedia.org
Secretary [of the Navy] [Thomas Walker] Gilmer urged those aboard to view a final shot with the Peacemaker. When Captain Stockton pulled the firing lanyard, the gun burst. Its left side had failed, spraying hot metal across the deck and shrapnel into the crowd. Instantly killed were Gilmer, Secretary of State [Abel P.] Upshur, Captain Beverley Kennon, who was Chief of the Bureau of Construction [Equipment] and Repairs, Virgil Maxcy (a Maryland attorney with decades of experience as a state and federal officeholder), David Gardiner (a New York lawyer and politician) and the President’s valet, a black slave named Armistead. Another 16 to 20 people were injured, including several members of the ship’s crew, Senator Benton and Captain Stockton. The president was below decks and not injured.
The disaster on board the Princeton killed more top U.S. government officials in a single day than any other tragedy in American history.
Actually, steam wasn’t involved. It was an on-the-deck iron, long-gun cannon that exploded. The iron got too hot from too many firings and broke apart.
Cosmic-Observation 
February 29, 2020 at 1:39 AM
A ship of war and peacemaker? Gee what ever could go wrong?
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February 29, 2020 at 3:33 AM
Classic oxymoron. 😉
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February 29, 2020 at 3:06 AM
I really love these little flashbacks that you do. They are all new to me. x
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February 29, 2020 at 3:38 AM
Thanks, sweetie. That means a great deal. ❤
I’m one of those types that loves history…for, without it, how will we learn.
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February 29, 2020 at 5:58 AM
Whoa!
Sad…
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February 29, 2020 at 3:32 AM
I agree.
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March 1, 2020 at 4:49 PM
Ugh, what a way to go. Talk about pushing your luck – never a good idea when messing with steam.
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March 1, 2020 at 6:26 PM
Actually, steam wasn’t involved. It was an on-the-deck iron, long-gun cannon that exploded. The iron got too hot from too many firings and broke apart.
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March 3, 2020 at 12:30 AM
Wow…the name…the irony. I never read or heard of this.
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March 3, 2020 at 2:36 PM
To be so pivotal to history, everyone should know it. I hadn’t a clue, either, until reading.
Another comment not in my panel.
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March 3, 2020 at 7:42 PM
Oh the Tornado post I just made…I had to post the damn thing 3 times before it showed up…and rename it the last time.
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March 3, 2020 at 4:02 PM
Unbelievable.
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March 3, 2020 at 6:24 PM
It’s getting really old
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