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I read all these books about Presidents.
In honorary of President’s Day, I give you the Greatest Presidential Anecdote.
Spoiler: There is a deadly explosion and a marriage proposal.
An unbelievable historical thread.
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In honorary of President’s Day, I give you the Greatest Presidential Anecdote.
Spoiler: There is a deadly explosion and a marriage proposal.
An unbelievable historical thread.
1
In February 1844 President John Tyler cruised the Potomac in a brand new steam frigate, the USS Princeton. President Tyler (“His Accidency” to his opponents) had assumed the Presidency when William Henry Harrison died. He was widowed in 1842 when his wife died from a stroke.
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The Princeton had a brand-new gun, with a massive (for the time) 12 inch, 27,000-pound cannon called the “Peacemaker.”
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President Tyler brought a number of guests and dignitaries on this ceremonial winter cruise, including the former First Lady Dolley Madison, and high-ranking government officials.
Tyler was planning on showing off his big boat and big gun to *impress a girl.*
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Tyler was planning on showing off his big boat and big gun to *impress a girl.*
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Tyler also invited 20-year-old Julia Gardiner and her father. The 54-year-old President had already proposed marriage to the young Gardiner a year prior.
She had NOT said yes.
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She had NOT said yes.
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Steam ships were brand new in the world and the US Navy. The designer of the Princeton, Swedish upstart John Ericsson, did not feel like the gun was ready to show off.
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Nevertheless, they test fired the giant gun.
The first two shots were bellowing and impressive.
Upon firing the third round, the gun exploded.
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The first two shots were bellowing and impressive.
Upon firing the third round, the gun exploded.
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Shrapnel went across the deck. Blood and limbs were scattered. Stunned sailors wandered like zombies. Several people were *killed*, including the
Secretary of State, the
Secretary of Navy, and the
President’s Valet, an enslaved man named Armistead.
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Secretary of State, the
Secretary of Navy, and the
President’s Valet, an enslaved man named Armistead.
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Julia Gardiner, who was safe below the decks, *feinted* and President Tyler carried her off the ship in his arms.
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The loss of her father and her subsequent rescue evidently changed Julia's feelings for John Tyler. She then agreed to marry him.
The two had a small, secret ceremony 4 months later.
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The two had a small, secret ceremony 4 months later.
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The USS Princeton was repaired and served around the world.
Ericsson’s ship designs changed the course of naval history. He later invented ironclad ships and rotating gun turrets, which famously made every navy in the world obsolete.
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Ericsson’s ship designs changed the course of naval history. He later invented ironclad ships and rotating gun turrets, which famously made every navy in the world obsolete.
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Julia Gardiner and John Tyler had 7 children.
John Tyler was expelled by his party and did not run for a new term. He later served in the Confederate House of Representatives.
John died in 1862.
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John Tyler was expelled by his party and did not run for a new term. He later served in the Confederate House of Representatives.
John died in 1862.
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Julia moved to Staten Island but she did not feel welcome up North.
Julia Gardiner Tyler died in Richmond in 1889.
President and Mrs. Tyler's grandchild, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr., died September 2020 (a few months ago!!) at age 95.
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Julia Gardiner Tyler died in Richmond in 1889.
President and Mrs. Tyler's grandchild, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr., died September 2020 (a few months ago!!) at age 95.
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