Explosion on the Potomac: The 1844 Calamity Aboard the USS Princeton

by Kerry Walters

In 1844, the USS Princeton" was the most technologically sophisticated warship in the world. Its captain, Robert Stockton, and President John Tyler were both zealous expansionists, and they hoped that it would be the forerunner in a formidable steam-powered fleet. On a Potomac cruise intended to impress power brokers, the ship's main gun--the Peacemaker--exploded as the vessel neared Mount Vernon. Eight died horribly, while twenty others were injured. Two of Tyler's most important cabinet members were instantly lost, and the president himself had a near miss--making it the worst physical disaster to befall a presidential administration. The tragedy set off an unpredictable wave of events that cost Tyler a second term, nearly scuttled plans to add Texas to the Union and stirred up sectional rancor that drove the nation closer to civil war. Author Kerry Walters chronicles this little-known disaster that altered the course of the nation's history."

Genres: History

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2013

Reviews

[Shelly♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of the explosion of the firt USS Princeton, a screw steamer build in 1843, and the ramificaitons that it had on the administration of President John Tyler both personally and professionally.

What I liked: Walters does a great job on providing concise and interesting bios of some of the main figures in this story - most notably President John Tyler and Secretary of State Abel Upshure. He does the biographies separate from the actual narrative, which aids in the flow of the story. His photos and maps add are helpful additions to this book.

What I didn't like: There were several points of opinion interjected and some historical errors.

I'm currently a docent and tour guide at Sherwood Forest, the home of John Tyler, where we tell the story of the Princeton disaster as part of our tours. I was very interested to read a stand alone version of the disaster, and wasn't disappointed in this short book that is rich in informational material on the President and the time period. I would recommend the chapter on Tyler to anyone who wanted a quick rundown on his politics and presidency. The errors discovered do not take away from the events and importance of this tragedy.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read on an American tragedy lost to time that includes a couple of mainly undistinguished US Presidents and the addition of one really big state—Texas—to the Union. Set in 1844, this is a nice story that is worth reading. Jim

[Mitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick, concise telling on an underrated episode in US History.