USS Abel P. Upshur

Abel Parker Upshur, born on 17 June 1791 in Northampton County, Va., was admitted to the Virginia bar in 1810 and practiced law in Richmond. He served in the state House of Delegates from 1812 to 1813 and again from 1825 to 1827. From 1826 until 1841, Upshur was a member of the supreme court of Virginia.

In September 1841, Upshur was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President John Tyler. He held that position until 23 July 1843, when he succeeded Daniel Webster as Secretary of State.

On 28 February 1844, Upshur accompanied a party of distinguished persons down the Potomac River in the steam sloop Princeton to witness some experiments in firing a new iron gun of unusual size. On the return trip, the gun was fired a third time and exploded, killing Secretary Upshur and five other people and wounding several more on board.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Abel P. Upshur (DD-193)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.