What Is a Sloop?

In 1839, Captain Stockton was given the money to build one sloop. The ship took three years to complete and had a 12-inch muzzle loading gun that revolved in a circle. Because of John Erickson's design, the gun was stronger and can use larger chargers than other guns. It could launch a 225-pound shell five miles with great accuracy. When it was launched on October 20th, 1843, all the big wigs came down to check it out - including President Taylor. But during a firing demonstration, there was a rupture and it killed the US Secretary of State.