#OnThisDate February 28, 1844: Tragedy Aboard The USS Princeton

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The USS Princeton, A Pioneering Steam-Powered Warship, Embarked On A Demonstration Cruise Along The Potomac River Near Alexandria, Virginia. Designed By Swedish Engineer John Ericsson And Commanded By Captain Robert F. Stockton, The Princeton Showcased Advanced Naval Engineering, Notably Its Two Massive Cannons: The "Peacemaker" And The "Oregon." The Peacemaker, A 12-Inch Gun Weighing Over 27,000 Pounds, Was Constructed Under Stockton's Supervision In The United States, While The Oregon Was Built In England To Ericsson's Design.

The Cruise Hosted Approximately 400 Dignitaries, Including President John Tyler, Former First Lady Dolley Madison, And Julia Gardiner, A Prominent New York Socialite. As The Ship Sailed Past Mount Vernon, Captain Stockton Ordered The Peacemaker To Fire Salutes, Impressing The Guests With Its Formidable Power. After Several Successful Firings, The Party Moved Below Deck For Lunch. During The Meal, Secretary Of War William Wilkins Requested An Additional Demonstration Of The Peacemaker. Despite Initial Reluctance, Stockton Consented And Prepared For Another Shot.

At Approximately 3 P.M., As Guests Gathered On Deck, Stockton Pulled The Lanyard To Fire The Peacemaker. Tragically, The Cannon Exploded, Its Left Side Failing Catastrophically. The Explosion Killed Secretary Of State Abel P. Upshur, Secretary Of The Navy Thomas W. Gilmer, Captain Beverly Kennon (Chief Of The Bureau Of Construction, Equipment, And Repair), Virgil Maxcy (A Maryland Attorney And Politician), David Gardiner (A New York Lawyer And Politician), And Armistead, President Tyler's Enslaved Valet. President Tyler, Who Was Below Deck At The Time, Escaped Unharmed.

The Disaster Profoundly Impacted The Nation, Marking The Most Significant Loss Of U.S. Government Officials In A Single Day. The Deaths Of Upshur And Gilmer Disrupted President Tyler's Administration, Particularly Derailing Plans For The Annexation Of Texas, A Project Upshur Had Vigorously Supported. The Tragedy Also Cast A Shadow Over Naval Innovation, Leading To Increased Scrutiny Of Military Technology And Safety Protocols.

In The Aftermath, The Victims Were Honored With A State Funeral In The East Room Of The White House, Attended By A Grieving Public. The Explosion's Emotional Toll Extended To Personal Lives; Julia Gardiner, Who Lost Her Father In The Incident, Found Solace In President Tyler's Support. Their Bond Deepened, Culminating In Their Marriage On June 26, 1844.

The USS Princeton Disaster Underscored The Perils Of Technological Advancement Without Adequate Safety Measures. It Prompted A Reevaluation Of Naval Engineering Practices And Highlighted The Necessity For Rigorous Testing And Oversight In Military Innovations. This Tragic Event Remains A Poignant Reminder Of The Human Cost Of Progress And The Enduring Need For Caution In The Pursuit Of Innovation.

References:
"Fatal Cruise Of The Princeton," Naval History Magazine, U.S. Naval Institute, September 2005.
"A 'Terrible Catastrophe': The February 1844 Naval Gun Explosion That Almost Killed A President," Naval History And Heritage Command, February 24, 2023.
"Explosion On The Potomac: The 1844 Calamity Aboard The USS Princeton," By Kerry S. Walters, Gettysburg College.
"Tyler Narrowly Escapes Death On The USS Princeton," History.com.
"Abel P. Upshur," Wikipedia.

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