How the USS Princeton explosion changed U.S. history. Updated episode.

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The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered

Күн бұрын

The History Guy remembers a nearly forgotten pivotal event in U.S. history, the 1844 USS Princeton Explosion. This History Guy episode is updated in HD.
Skip Intro: 00:10
The History Guy uses images that are in the Public Domain. As photos of actual events are sometimes not available, I will often use photographs of similar events and objects for illustration.
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The History Guy: Five Minutes of History is the place to find short snippets of forgotten history from five to fifteen minutes long. If you like history too, this is the channel for you.
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The episode is intended for educational purposes. All events are presented in historical context.
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Пікірлер: 591

@KarlBunker 6 жыл бұрын

Another consequence of this explosion that I've heard about is that Ericson's Monitor would have been able to shoot holes through the Merrimack (AKA CSS Virginia) in their famous battle, but for the fact that the Monitor's cannon wasn't given it's full load of powder because of lingering (and false) suspicions that Ericson's cannons tended to explode.

@TheHistoryGuyChannel 6 жыл бұрын

KarlBunker I had heard that as well.

@DJ-Sellout 5 жыл бұрын

The reason for the half-charges was due to the friction-screw recoil device used to keep the guns from slamming into the back of the turret when fired. The guns on the Monitor were one of the few things not invented by Ericson on the ship and were Dahlgrens. The navy brass was worried the guns would jump off their rails mainly because they were so large. Their fears were unfounded.

@Zarastro54 5 жыл бұрын

Technically they weren't "half charges." The Monitor was firing exactly the recommended charges set at the time, but that recommendation was indeed a precaution in part to avoid another barrel burst like on the Princeton. Only later was it found that the guns could indeed handle higher charges.

@panzerabwerkanone 5 жыл бұрын

The Monitor used the 15lb charge that was recommended at the time for the 11 inch Dahlgren guns that was used on the Monitor and every other US Navy ship with these guns. No order was found to use half charges on these guns for the Monitor. The guns were found later to be much stronger than originally thought and tested to handle 30lb charges. The Monitor did have one incident where the guns ran into the back of the turret but this was found to be caused by lack of crew familiarity with the new recoil system used on the Monitor and not the charge weight.

@melperry3576 4 жыл бұрын

@PhiloYT1 6 жыл бұрын

Many have commented on the excellence of your content, HG. But I don't think anyone has complimented you on how good your speaking and narration skills are. You are a pleasure to listen to. Thanks for *both* of these things!

@bigblue6917 6 жыл бұрын

You can tell he has a passion for history, PhiloYT1

@lawrencet83 6 жыл бұрын

Ditto!

@walterdennisclark 6 жыл бұрын

Anybody know what he does for a living. It can't be teaching history. Isn't there a union rule about being interested in the subject you teach. It's supposed to be about doing well in a test. Isn't it?

@garryrainey6300 6 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@REM1956 5 жыл бұрын

@@walterdennisclark Posted in his "ABOUT" info on his site I believe he mentions having sold insurance, but now makes his living as The History Guy. And I'm glad he does.

@tncorgi92 6 жыл бұрын

I used to watch & enjoy James Burke's "Connections" - this video is right in that same vein and was fun to watch.

@ai4px 6 жыл бұрын

Love "Connections", great stuff. Wish they'd do the same sort of programming in present day, but alas reality TV is it. This youtube channel is wonderful though.

@fogogin 6 жыл бұрын

Yeah that show was great. A lot of what I know I leaned from watching tv in the 90’s. You know, when the discovery channel and the LEARNING channel had something beneficial to offer.

@5roundsrapid263 6 жыл бұрын

The ending instantly made me remember “Connections”. I’m glad I’m not the only one.

@NoahSpurrier 6 жыл бұрын

I was going to say the same thing! And it turned out the top comment was just that. Connections and Cosmos were two of the most influential TV series during my formative years.

@PelenTan 5 жыл бұрын

Wow! I was thinking the exact same thing!

@bigblue6917 6 жыл бұрын

I am always fascinated by stories like these. How hugely important events can be triggered by such tiny events. "for want of a nail" as the saying goes.

@GeorgeSemel 6 жыл бұрын

That crappy cannon sure did cast a very long shadow.! Till just now I have never heard of this one, for me that saying something, nor have I ever read anything about it, and I am very well read. History is like that it turns on things that at the time nobody pays much mind to at the time. This is one of the reasons, your channel is by far one of the best on the Tube!

@robertrichard6107 4 жыл бұрын

I'd heard of it browsing through the Naval Proceedings pubs, but the date 1844 didn't make me think it was that relevant! I'm glad I clicked on this though, he gets right down to brass tacs doesn't he?

@larrydavis3645 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for bringing this bit of history to life. I would have loved you as my history instructor when I was in school.

@stoneyll 5 жыл бұрын

As a youth many years ago, I remember seeing that illustration of the exploding cannon on the deck of ship in one of many history books in the library I browsed through..(spent a lot of time there because of misbehavior in school) I never realized the ramification of that event until today, after watching this video. Thank you sir. Everyday is an education when watching your channel.

@ralphdials4987 6 жыл бұрын

You need to be placed in full control of all history teaching in our public schools. Education would improve immensely!!

@9999plato 5 жыл бұрын

The leftists in charge dont want to teach anything that would help young people to understand our past and put our current state in prospective. They want to teach a narritive that fits their political agenda.

@ronfullerton3162 5 жыл бұрын

And not only history alone, but the cause and effect that the History Guy pointed out in this episode. Our politicians followed closely by a good share of the people just run full speed ahead without much thought about what our actions today will lead to tomorrow. Both subjects are so important and connected.

@susaxsempi665 3 жыл бұрын

I'd vote for that!

@alexanderwickser7279 3 жыл бұрын

I sure do wish he was... He would lead kids to love history with the same passion as this guy. But they would never give him control of public schools, as he is just to smart.

@robertdorsey9631 3 жыл бұрын

One of the best episodes. I didn't detect any liberal rewrite at all. It's always a pleasure to watch your videos.

@lumox7 5 жыл бұрын

The Peacemaker made a lot of pieces.

@bootlegboo 6 жыл бұрын

Wow, sir, you make each moment in history feel so alive and full of emotion. Thank you for another great snippet.

@Tadesan 6 жыл бұрын

People don't give material scientists enough credit! Thanks for sharing!

@oneyedjake4768 5 жыл бұрын

I get home from work, as I am getting ready to make dinner, I log into KZfaq on the kitchen computer and randomly pick some of HG's videos to listen and watch as I am cooking....great way to unwind.

@lamonstra1464 6 жыл бұрын

The spirit of Robert Stockton has a lot to answer for!

@CAMacKenzie 2 жыл бұрын

I had read about the explosion aboard the Princeton long ago, but in the context of the U.S. Navy's modernization efforts. Its effects on the presidential elections were ignored, and thus I had no idea of the Civil War sequela. Good show!

@johnwilliamson2276 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for a wonderful channel. I can't get enough!

@marcgilbert1497 6 жыл бұрын

I love this channel! Your conclusion was insightful, and brought to light many points that most of us never would have known otherwise. Thank you

@cameltrophy3 Жыл бұрын

@TheHistoryGuyChannel I must say... this hits a little differently today... knowing about Stockton Rush and his Titan Submersible.

@ontogeny6474 6 жыл бұрын

Your sewing these points in time together to form a tapestry of understanding is quite brilliant and important.

@araeagle3829 6 жыл бұрын

Holy Cow!!! What a series of events! I have never heard of the Princeton Disaster. Thank you so much for this. Awesome video!

@shanekent5334 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you history dude. This channel is awesome.

@floriotj 6 жыл бұрын

I'm known by my friends as a Trivia/History nut. History Guy you put me to shame. Love your videos. Thanks!!!!

@jerrysullivan6252 3 жыл бұрын

Been following for several months. Love these ‘snippets’ and this may be one of the best!

@limuemu4364 5 жыл бұрын

wow, incredible. one of your best. I watched it twice. twists and turns. degrees of separation. etc

@drewzero1 4 жыл бұрын

"From Nashville came a dark horse riding up, it was James K. Polk, Napoleon of the stump." -They Might Be Giants, "James K. Polk" As soon as you mentioned the 1844 election, I knew what was going on because of this song.

@estern001 4 жыл бұрын

You just blew me away... Thank you sir!

@DoomerONE 6 жыл бұрын

Great parallel example of the butterfly effect through historical events. Thank you great video sir.

@ghostcityshelton9378 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for making History so Interresting!

@kevinbender3992 6 жыл бұрын

How have I not come across this channel before? The content and presentation is fantastic! Keep it up!

@zelphx 6 жыл бұрын

Having grown up, in Stockton, CA (named in honor of Commodore Stockton), I got a charge (no pun intended) out of this tale. I taught high school History, Econ, and Gov't for twenty five years, and I was famous for interesting asides to keep the students' attention, but I dropped the ball on this one. This was news to me, today. Can I get a do-over? I may forward this to some folks that are at the paper there, and see if they bite.

@TheHistoryGuyChannel 6 жыл бұрын

Bradley Greenwood yup- that is the same Stockton.

@zelphx 6 жыл бұрын

Most kids in Stockton are well-aware of R.F. Stockton by elementary school. However, this "juicy" history seems to have been left out of Cmdr Stockton's "portfolio". Considering what Stockton has become, it seems well-fitted to it's namesake. (Of course, Stockton never visited the area, as the city was founded by Chas. Weber. Weber was a "fan" of Stockton's, and named the city in his honor.)

@themightywookie351c3 5 жыл бұрын

Incredible story! Definitely sharing this with my friends. Thank you for your time and the video.

@UsherLinder 5 жыл бұрын

Brilliant! Thank you! My thinking has substantially shifted because of this episode.

@sski 6 жыл бұрын

Very interesting when summed up. Thank you!

@johnkelley9877 6 жыл бұрын

Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing this.

@TJWatson59 4 жыл бұрын

One of your best presentations!

@buzzyhardwood2949 3 жыл бұрын

This is absolutely one of your best presentations. It is amazing the impact of this one incident has had on our republic. Thank you for sharing such interesting and profound pieces of our history.

@surferdude44444 6 жыл бұрын

WOW! What a story. Thanks HG. It looks like the PRINCETON was trailblazer in Hybrid propulsion. A little bit of steam and a little bit of wind.....huge long range and speed abilities.

@greenwolfx 5 жыл бұрын

In Ken Burn’s “Civil War” documentary, John Erickson is mentioned as “having a grudge” against the U.S. Navy. Today I just learned what caused the grudge. Thanks The History Guy.

@jamesallen8838 5 жыл бұрын

Wow. This was more than fascinating. I have added this channel to my favourites

@user-io9ie5cs8j Жыл бұрын

You always find the most Interesting historical facts. Thank you 😊

@tadeuantoniopassarelli1327 5 жыл бұрын

AMAXING!!! great explanation!!!

@mikldude9376 5 жыл бұрын

Love your work mate , you make history interesting , well done .

@horsepanther 5 жыл бұрын

Fascinating chain of events! I love your videos.

@GFRzeszutek 6 жыл бұрын

I've been telling my Father and all my friends with half a brain about this channel. I learned more this week than I ever learned in High School. This is Great Stuff!!!

@KLawrence31 5 жыл бұрын

Wow, how can I never have heard of this before. Thanks once more "History Guy"!

@hbtrustme7196 3 жыл бұрын

This episode caught my attention because, in 1991, I worked on the repairs of the USS Princeton in the aftermath of a different explosion. That ship detonated a mine in the Persian Gulf.

@iWalkChris 6 жыл бұрын

Good show! Teaching people the implications of historical events is excellent!

@drsolar 5 жыл бұрын

Amazing how unconnected events shaped the destiny of the United States. Thank you for the beautiful trip back into time

@dungeonrat 5 жыл бұрын

You are amazing! I just love this channel!

@Chrisamos412 5 жыл бұрын

I just read about this a couple months ago, great bit of history. Thanks HG for your videos, great stuff. Gotta love history ⚓️

@Annur375 5 жыл бұрын

Magnificent! - Thanks for sharing.

@alicehardy1668 6 жыл бұрын

Another very interesting history snippet! I ESPECIALLY appreciate the historical links you make. Quite incredible that a single fairly innocious cannon misfiring could influence history to such a degree. I'm sure the misfiring would not seem "innocious" to the victims and their families, but to us in the 21st century (or at least me, with very little knowledge of 17th century single military incidents) that pre- Mexican, pre-Civil War single incident seems so small until you show how it changed our history. Thank you very much!

@strongsadventures 6 жыл бұрын

Wow some more history I didn’t learn in school. Thank you for all of your videos. I probably have learned more about history watching your videos than 12 years of schooling.

@grantpringle8950 Жыл бұрын

I love how you connect historical events. I'm really glad your channel has found the following and popularity you very much deserve.

@williamlong8859 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks History Guy, Never thought of the USS Princeton incident as consequential an event beyond lack of naval advancements for as core of years.

@rtelles1127 5 жыл бұрын

As usual an excellent presentation!

@jonathanwilliams4348 6 жыл бұрын

First timer; that was outstanding! I'm hooked.

@MrNx74205d 5 жыл бұрын

Paul Harvey would have been proud. "And now you know the rest of the story, indeed!"

@christian-michaelhansen471 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks History Guy! Once again I learned something new!

@raywheeler 6 жыл бұрын

Your video histories are fabulous! Thank you for making them.

@cuz129 4 жыл бұрын

How serendipitous life is! Wonderful post.

@curtm626 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant! Thank you Professor!

@boobopya6143 2 жыл бұрын

Wow great stuff !!!!! Thank you for creating this program! It’s a history lovers dream, God bless you and happy New Year

@theadventuresofjavier8698 6 жыл бұрын

Incredible piece of history...i thank you sir.

@darwindemartelaere3195 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic presentation. I was not aware of this incident and it's profound affect on the shaping and history of our great country. Thank you.

@skrape99 4 жыл бұрын

History Guy, you rock. I think this may be the most compelling of your myriad stories! How in the world do you find stories like this?! Many thanks.

@MrGallinaro 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent video presentation, information, and narration.

@howardjohnson2138 5 жыл бұрын

Fascinating. Thank you

@jamesbrown4092 5 жыл бұрын

An excellent presentation - as usual.

@ScoutSniper3124 5 жыл бұрын

Anyone who's ever worked with cast iron knows how brittle it can be, and to think of using that on a cannon with high chamber pressures is crazy. Cast iron is so brittle that many munitions from hand grenades to artillery shells have been made from cast iron because it tends to make great shrapnel.

@captchrispike 3 жыл бұрын

This may be the most quintessential of all History Guy episodes. I'd heard of the Princeton explosion, but had no idea of its consequences, nor of the consequences of those consequences. The intricate sequence of events is well explained, step by step, in a way even James Burke would have been jealous of!

@danielhammond3012 4 жыл бұрын

Another "wow, I never even heard of this event" moment! Hat's off to you sir. Pivotal and seminal and, as usual, excellently presented.

@bobnicholas5994 6 жыл бұрын

Paul Harvewy would have been proud. This was great.

@ShesGotALiftedChevy 7 ай бұрын

Fantastic! Well done! Very interesting! Love the domino effect results you gave! I found this page because of a Reddit post stating that Stockton of the Princeton is an ancestor of Stockton Rush from the Titan.. they even look alike! Eery! Egos + maritime disasters, impacting high profile/financial elite .. potentially changing history in the making yet again! Fascinating

@REM1956 5 жыл бұрын

Bravo! Another excellent video on a profound, but little known piece of American history. Both extremely interesting and well told. Thank you.

@electron4784 5 жыл бұрын

Wow that was well presented. Where were you when I took history classes? You are doing a great job keep it up and thanks!

@doonsbury9656 5 жыл бұрын

"For want of a nail the shoe was lost....For want of a shoe the Horse was lost......." Fascinating how that one incident affected so much future history.

@blip1 6 жыл бұрын

This is great information!

@williamgilwood2769 2 жыл бұрын

fantastic piece

@Xandrosi 6 жыл бұрын

New subscriber. You weave an excellent story together, which is how history should be conveyed.

@thomasdarby6084 5 жыл бұрын

I love these videos. I remember my father saying, and later my teachers telling me, "learn something new every day." That idea helped me recover from strokes a few years ago. At 67, I avow to never stop learning. Thanks, History Guy!

@josephstout1461 6 жыл бұрын

Just recently found your channel and have thoroughly enjoyed every post I've had the chance to watch. I am hooked on "This Day in History" on my EchoDot and this is basically a visual version and it's great. Great info and great presentation. I have lots of catching up to do, more than a year's worth of posts it seems. But I'll do so eventually. Democracy is impossible without a well informed electorate. And history gives perspective and a better understanding of events in our own time. I wish everyone who voted understood that basic tenant. It's obvious that you do sir. Thanks much!

@markhughes7927 6 жыл бұрын

Brilliant Thank You

@blnmadisonbm 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent video!

@KingfisherTalkingPictures 4 жыл бұрын

I’ve never heard of this! Thank you.

@josephmouton2816 4 жыл бұрын

Man I know this is old, but I just have to say I love your videos. I was a fan of history in school, and I still am.

@drsonnysell4471 5 жыл бұрын

Respect & Gratitude Professor!!

@quindeman1879 5 жыл бұрын

Wow, what a great story. Thanks for telling it.

@scottsmith4612 4 жыл бұрын

Wow! I love history too, but never heard of this. Thank you!

@brucehearn2621 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, sir! I hated history in el-hi. But as an adult, I've become much more open to learning of the past. This was a masterful snippet of an unknown to me pivotal event in U.S history. Hello from Texas.

@bobg1685 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent!

@dannystaton5386 5 жыл бұрын

Happy New year. History. Dude

@turnstyles7485 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. My family is distantly related to James K. Polk. I had no idea of the scope of his influence on our country. What an amazing story!

@wmrayburn7620 3 жыл бұрын

Outstanding !

@BeachsideHank 6 жыл бұрын

You interest me much the same as James Burke did with his documentary television series Connections (1978), and for its more philosophically oriented companion series, The Day the Universe Changed (1985), which is about the history of science and technology. "Bucky" Fuller also had much the same zeitgeist inclinations that small events precipitate massive change in other arenas of life; his tombstone epitaph "trimtab" was meant to convey that belief.

@marbleman52 6 жыл бұрын

Yes, I loved watching Connections and then The Day The Universe changed. And also yep...this story of the Princeton disaster sure seems to be one of those instances. Thanks, HG. for sharing this with us.

@brendarooks1697 5 жыл бұрын

Connections was a great show. I miss it.