Editing John Ericsson (section)

==Propeller design==
He then improved ship design with two screw-[[propeller]]s rotating in opposite directions (as opposed to earlier tests with this technology, which used a single screw). However, the [[British Admiralty]] of the [[Royal Navy]] disapproved of the invention in the late [[1830s]], which led to the fortunate contact with the prominent American naval captain (and later [[commodore (rank)|commodore]]) [[Robert Stockton]] (1795-1866), who had Ericsson design a propeller-driven steamer for him and invited him to bring his invention across the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the United States of America, as it would supposedly be more welcomed in that more free-thinking place. As a result, Ericsson moved to [[New York City]] in 1839. Captain Stockton's plan was for Ericsson to oversee the development of a new class of naval warship of a larger heavier [[frigate]] with Stockton using his considerable political connections to grease the funding authorizations wheels. Finally, after the death of 9th President [[William Henry Harrison]] (1773-1841, served March-April 1841), and succession to the Presidency by his former [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[John Tyler]] in the spring of 1841, funds were then allocated to the Navy under the new administration for a new design. However, they only received funding enough for a 700-ton [[Sloop-of-war]] design instead of a larger [[frigate]]. The sloop eventually became the {{USS|Princeton|1843|6}}, named after Stockton's hometown in [[New Jersey]] and the famous [[Princeton University|university]] located there. 

The ship took about three years to complete and was perhaps the most advanced warship of its time. In addition to steam-powered  twin screw propellers, it was originally designed to mount a 12-inch muzzle-loading gun on a revolving pedestal. The gun had also been designed by Ericsson and used [[hoop gun|hoop construction]] to pre-tension the [[breech-loading weapon|breech]], adding to its strength and allowing safe use of a larger charge. Other innovations on the warship design included a collapsible smoke funnel and an improved recoil system for the artillery.

The relations between Ericsson and Stockton had grown tense over time and, approaching the completion of the ship, Stockton began working to force Ericsson out of the shipbuilding project. Stockton carefully avoided letting outsiders know that Ericsson was the primary inventor.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} Stockton attempted to claim as much credit for himself as possible, even designing a second {{convert|12|in|mm|abbr=on}} gun to be also mounted on the ''Princeton''. Unfortunately, because Stockton did not totally understand the design of the first gun (originally named "The Orator", renamed "The Oregon" by Stockton), the second gun was fatally flawed.

When launched, the ''[[USS Princeton|U.S.S. Princeton]]'' was an enormous success. On October 20, 1843, she won a speed trial against the huge passenger liner, paddle steamer {{SS|Great Western}}, until then considered the fastest steamer afloat. Unfortunately, during a firing demonstration of Capt. Stockton's gun, the [[USS Princeton disaster of 1844|breech ruptured and exploded]], killing visiting onboard observers of [[United States Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State]] [[Abel P. Upshur]] and the [[Secretary of the Navy]], [[Thomas Walker Gilmer]] (of the [[Cabinet of the United States|Presidential Cabinet]] of 10th President [[John Tyler]], 1790-1862, served 1841-1845), as well as six others accompanying them. Stockton attempted to deflect the blame onto Ericsson,{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} with moderate success, despite the fact Ericsson's gun was sound and it was instead Stockton's second gun that had failed. Stockton also refused to pay Ericsson, and by using his political connections, Stockton blocked the U.S. Navy bureaucracy from paying him.