U.S.S Princeton Explosion -marker for Gilmer County - Arnoldsburg WV
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 38° 50.167 W 081° 00.570
17S E 499175 N 4298590
Gilmore County WV named for Thomas Walker Gilmer, Secretary of the Navy in President Tyler's Cabinet, who wad killed by the explosion of a gun on board the United States battleship, Princeton, February 28, 1844.
Waymark Code: WM17KNY
Location: West Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 03/04/2023
Views: 1
From Wikipedia
"The first USS Princeton was a screw steam warship of the United States Navy. Commanded by Captain Robert F. Stockton, Princeton was launched on September 5, 1843.
On February 28, 1844, during a Potomac River pleasure cruise for dignitaries, one gun exploded, killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur and Secretary of the Navy Thomas Walker Gilmer, and injuring others, including a United States Senator and Captain Stockton. The disaster on board the Princeton killed more top U.S. government officials in one day than any other tragedy in American history. President John Tyler, who was aboard but below decks, was not injured. The ship's reputation in the Navy never recovered."
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