13. The shocking and horrific death of her father finally convinced Julia of President Tyler’s love and sincerity
In the end, it was the sudden and tragic death of Julia’s father than led her to see Tyler as a potential husband. It was the last day of February in 1844 and the Gardiner family had been invited to join the President, his closest advisers and many other members of the Washington elite, on a cruise aboard a new steam frigate, the Princeton. What should have been a joyous day turned into a disaster when the captain ordered the ship’s cannon – ironically named ‘The Peacemaker’ – to be fired to honor the President. The malfunctioning cannon backfired, causing a huge explosion.
Julia was below deck at the time and so escaped the worst of the blast. However, her father, David Gardiner was killed immediately. Also killed in the accident were the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Navy. Julia was forced to return with her family and her father’s remains to the family home in East Hampton, where David was buried. Later on, Julia would recall that President Tyler’s strength, stoicism and kind words were of great comfort to her during this tough time – and made her look at him as a potential loving husband.