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USS Princeton (1843)

1843 ships1844 disasters1844 in Virginia1844 in military history1844 in the United States
19th-century explosionsFebruary 1844 eventsHistory of Alexandria, VirginiaIndustrial fires and explosions in the United StatesMaritime incidents in February 1844Non-combat naval accidentsPresidency of John TylerShip firesShips built in PhiladelphiaSloops of the United States NavySteamships of the United States Navy
Princeton, starboard side, underway NARA 513006
Princeton, starboard side, underway NARA 513006

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 a single 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.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article USS Princeton (1843) (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

USS Princeton (1843)
Thirteenth Street, Boston Charlestown

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N 42.3746 ° E -71.048 °
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Charlestown Marina

Thirteenth Street
02113 Boston, Charlestown
Massachusetts, United States
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charlestownmamarina.com

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Princeton, starboard side, underway NARA 513006
Princeton, starboard side, underway NARA 513006
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Charlestown Ropewalk
Charlestown Ropewalk

The Charlestown Ropewalk is a former ropewalk facility located in Charlestown, Massachusetts at the former Boston Navy Yard. At over 1,300 feet (400 m) long, it is the only standing ropewalk facility still existent in the United States. It is currently under study as a pending Boston Landmark by the Boston Landmarks Commission. The ropewalk building was constructed between 1834 and 1838. It was designed by Alexander Parris, who also designed much of the rest of the Charlestown Navy Yard, and other landmarks throughout Massachusetts. From its opening in 1838 until its closing in 1970, it made most of the cordage used by the United States Navy. When the Navy Yard was closed in 1973, the building was acquired by the Boston Redevelopment Authority. Since its closure in the 1970s, the building has mostly sat empty. In recent years, developers have made plans to turn the ropewalk into apartments. As of December 2018, plans have been approved, but no construction has started until 2019. A Philadelphia firm, Vision Properties, has teamed up with the Frontier Enterprises to renovate this historic building into 97 residential apartment units. Of the 97 units, approximately 20 units will be affordable housing units. Renovations has begun and is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. Apartment types will include studios, one and two bedrooms. Leasing activities has begun as well. There is a 3,000 sf commercial unit for lease. The Parks Service will also have a museum of artifacts from the Rope company within the building. .