Cannonball death raises concerns over relics hunting

[Ben Ruset]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/05/cannonball.death.ap/index.html

Interesting enough because I suppose this makes him the last Civil War death. People are still killed in France from WWI era munitions, and I believe their numbers are tacked on to the WWI death count.

 

[pinelandpaddler]

Wow. I wonder what sets off these cannonballs?

 

[jburd641]

I wonder how big a 75 pounder looks. Seems huge to me but I assume those shells were pretty dense. Luckily his wife and son weren't there helping.

 

[woodjin]

What a tragedy. I can't imagine the horrific mess of remains left by the explosion. I sure hope his family didn't have to see that, but chances are they did.

Jeff

 

[MarkBNJ]

Holy crap. I cannot imagine using a grinder or drill on anything that had even the remotest chance of having powder in it.

I used to work in the oyster business down in Maryland years ago, based out of the Eastern Shore, and it wasn't unusual for us to dredge up old balls and pieces of munitions when working along the western shore, especially in the area of Patuxent. Our skipper had some military time, and he demanded we roll them right back over, no questions asked.

 

[jburd641]

I know it was the prudent thing to do, rolling them back in the water but I would have wanted to take one home. I know, I'm an idiot but that's just the history lover in me.

 

[woodjin]

I know it was the prudent thing to do, rolling them back in the water but I would have wanted to take one home. I know, I'm an idiot but that's just the history lover in me.

You're not alone. I would want to also. Fear of being blown to bits might make me hesitate though.

 

[MarkBNJ]

This guy ran an oyster boat for many years, and so when he said roll it back over, you rolled it back over .

 

[jburd641]

This guy ran an oyster boat for many years, and so when he said roll it back over, you rolled it back over .

I understand you doing as you were told. I imagine the guy would have rolled you over the side if you hadn't listened to him.