FOR US
Each of us here in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and of the nation for that matter, owe a great deal to a man who, at the age of forty-two, stood on the deck of one of the nations newest warships performing what would prove to be one of his first and his last act of serving as the nation's fifteenth Secretary of the Navy.
It must have been a proud moment of achievement for Thomas Walker Gilmer, born in Albemarle Country, Virginia . He was a well known lawyer and newspaper owner and editor there in Thomas Jefferson country. The events of that day are said to have awakened the American people to the dangers of allowing their leaders to be placed at hazard through the simple act of being at the same site in times of danger.
Tom Gilmer had been nominated by President Taylor in John Tyler and on the date in question- February 28, 1844 - he was standing on the deck of the nation's first, screw-propelled steam warship. The two vibrating lever engines heated three tubular iron boilers, burning hard coal to drive a six-bladed, fourteen-foot diameter screw type propeller. She made her trial run on the Delaware River October 12, 1843 . She engaged in speed tests and competitions and was fitted out for active sea duty. In New York the vessel - called the “Princeton”- was fitted with her two large guns - big enough, impressive enough in design to have individuals names - the “Oregon” and “The Peacemaker”. That gun was a spoken of as an improved version of the “Oregon”. And it was, naturally, a piece of ordnance the Secretary of the Navy wished to demonstrate to his guests.
Let's look at that guest list, for a moment.
President John Tyler and his entire cabinet and about two hundred distinguished guests formed the main party aboard. All were on-board at the same time to witness an ordnance trial.
It is recorded historically that “The Pacemaker” was, indeed, fired over the stated objections of Captain Robert F. Stockton, Commander of the craft, and moments later Thomas Gilmer, after only nine days in office, was among the dead. The cannon exploded. The Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur was also killed; two members of the Congress- Rep. Virgil Maxey , Maryland and Rep David Gardiner, New York. Captain Beverley Kennon, Chief of the Federal Bureau of Construction, Equipment and a personal servant of the President of the United States were dead. A score suffered serious injuries.
There was, naturally, an official investigation of the tragedy and a Court of Inquiry exonerated Captain Stockton, his officers and crew of all blame in the matter. It was concluded the gun exploded due to the fact that it had been overheated from use the previous day.
The story of the “Princeton” explosion is said to have awakened many people to the need for better care of our government officials. Today, faced with Terrorist puzzles such as we have never confronted before, it is obviously imperative that we do all we can to keep governmental leaders apart from each other and less subject to group attack. I hear people complain from time-to-time that our Presidents and Vice-Presidents are not always together at vital historical times. It is remarkable how many people still do not see the wisdom of separation against attack. The potential loss of official life on the “Princeton” that day should be remembered as a warning signal to all of us ...then ...and now.
A.L.M. Aug 10, 2004 [c598wds]
