Awful explosion of the 'peace-maker' on board the U.S. Steam Frigate Princeton on Wednesday, Feb 28, 1844 1844

This lithograph, made by Currier and Ives in 1844, depicts the explosion of a cannon called the "Peace-Maker" aboard the USS Princeton. But the image speaks to more than just a tragic accident. It tells us about the public role of technology and power in the 19th-century United States. The event, which killed several high-ranking officials, took place during a demonstration of naval firepower. Consider the title, "Peace-Maker," highlighting the conflation of military strength with diplomacy. This was a period of rapid industrialization and expansion, and technological advancements like the "Peace-Maker" were seen as symbols of American progress and dominance. The print, intended for mass consumption, reflects and reinforces this ideology. It's a reminder of how technological disasters can be spun into a narrative of progress. To understand this image fully, we might look at period newspapers, naval archives, and even political cartoons. Such resources would reveal the complex relationship between technology, power, and public perception in 1840s America.