The freakish tragedy on the USS Princeton in 1844 claimed dozens of deaths and injuries.
The Pride of the Navy
It had become a fact of government: a strong, well trained and well equipped fleet is essential to maintaining peace as well as war.
After the War of 1812, building and equipping and training a mighty fleet had become not only a priority, but a source of pride for the country. By 1843, spurred by Captain Robert Field Stockton, a well regarded naval veteran, the Navy commissioned the USS Princeton, as its first steam powered man-o-war. Designed primarily by Swedish emigre engineer John Ericsson, it was state of the art: a large and technically sophisticated (for that time), and featured serious (for that time) firepower, which included a huge (for that time) cannon, nicknamed the Peacemaker. The massive guns could fire a 12-inch ball a distance of 5 miles. It was considered the most advanced technology in the world. Captain Stockton was instrumental in its design.
After several testing runs, it was decided that a formal 1844-style grand opening should be held on the Potomac River, with a gala afternoon cruise from the Washington Navy Yard to Mount Vernon. February 28 was the day of choice.
Some 400 guests were invited by Captain Stockton for the outing, to include President John Tyler, members of his cabinet, an array of Congressmen and Senators, an assortment of other notables, including the venerable 76-year-old Dolley Madison. (It was said that no Washington event could possibly be “official” with the Divine Mrs. M.) President Tyler also invited a contingent of family members and personal friends.
It was the hottest ticket in town.
The Private Guests of Honor
President Tyler was a widower. Letitia Christian, his wife of more than 25 years, had died nearly 18 months earlier. Still vigorous and attractive at 53, the POTUS had cast his eye on Miss Julia Gardiner, a charming New Yorker, pretty, sophisticated and very wealthy. She was also thirty years his junior.
Tyler had been discreetly and patiently wooing Miss Gardiner for some months but to little avail. She had suitors aplenty – all old enough to be her father. While she was invariably charming and polite to all, she was not encouraging to any of them.
Her father, former New York State Senator David Gardiner, naturally found it hard to deny the very potent benefits as well as the legitimate romantic advances of the President of the United States. He was also 15 years older than Julia’s mother, so age was not that big a concern. President Tyler, a very stubborn man when it came to getting his own way, likely believed that Julia’s father might be an important ally in his affaire de couer.
The Outing … and the Accident
It began as a delightful outing, and the weather was obliging. Spring had come early to Washington. The state-of-the-art Princeton was rigged in formal glory, and the big cannon was indeed fired a few times, to the oohs and ahhs of the guests.
Then it was announced that refreshments for the ladies would be served below deck; the gentlemen would be served later. A contingent of women, dressed in their finest gowns and petticoats went below for the buffet. The President’s son-in-law, William Waller went below as well, and began serenading the ladies with his fine baritone voice. President Tyler, as escort to Miss Gardiner, and in respect to his son-in-law, stayed below as well.
Then there was a loud blast, mingled with shouts and shrieks from those above. And calls for a doctor. At the urging of some of the dignitaries, The Peacemaker had been fired again, in salute to Mount Vernon – but this time, it misfired, exploding in metal and shrapnel everywhere. And body parts. And blood. There was widespread hysterics and panic. There were several casualties, including the Secretary of the Navy Thomas Gilmer, and Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur – both long time personal friends of Tyler.
The President raced up on deck, to be warned by a sailor, “Don’t let Miss Gardiner forward, her father is dead.” When Julia heard the news, she fainted, and Tyler carried her back downstairs and placed her on a bunk. He ordered the ship to go ashore at the nearest dock, and summoned a passing steam vessel for emergency aid.
Tyler personally carried his ladylove down the gangplank to the rescue vessel. Midway, Julia recovered from her swoon and flailed about in disoriented shock, nearly knocking them both off the gangplank. The President had all he could do to to steady himself and the woman in his arms.
The Subdued, but Happy Ending
The immediate upshot of the horrible accident was more horror. In addition to the two cabinet secretaries and Julia’s father, four others were killed immediately, including one of Tyler’s personal servants. Twenty others, including Capt. Stockton, were injured. Some very seriously.
The President ordered a formal lying-in-state at the White House for the deceased victims (minus his servant, who was provided for elsewhere). Flags were lowered to half mast, and the White House was draped in mourning cloth.
Tyler was deeply solicitous of Miss Gardiner, sending bouquets and gracious notes, and paying discreet personal calls. Then there were invitations for Julia and her mother and siblings to small private luncheons or teas at the White House.
Julia had always been a daddy’s girl, and now her daddy was dead. The courtly – and still attractive older man, began to look more appealing. A few months later, they married.
Sources:
Anthony, Carl Sferrazza – First Ladies 1789-1961, William Morrow,1990
Cohen, Jared – Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America – Simon & Schuster, 2019
Seager, Robert III – And Tyler Too, McGraw Hill, 1963
https://www.historicamerica.org/journal/2021/3/3/the-uss-princeton-and-the-disaster-youve-never-heard-of
https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Tyler
