Cannon loaded with pwdr and ball found in nyc.

[powderman]

Cannon found loaded with powder, ball in NYC, police say  Published January 12, 2013
Associated Press     

•    Jan 11, 2013: This photo provided by the New York City Police Department shows an 18th century cannon belonging to the Central Park Conservancy in New York. (AP)

  NEW YORK –  New York City police say an 18th century cannon was found loaded with gun powder and a cannon ball during a routine cleaning at the Central Park Conservancy.
Police say residual gun powder was spotted after a piece of rust was removed Friday from the cannon, exposing the cannon ball. Authorities were summoned to remove the gun powder and make the cannon safe for public display. The cannon came from a British Royal Navy Ship, the HMS, circa 1763 to 1780.
Packing material, gun powder and a cannon ball are occasionally found inside cemented cannons when they are X-rayed during routine cleaning. A spokeswoman for the Central Park conservancy had no comment.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/12/nyc-police-cannon-found-loaded-with-powder-ball/?test=latestnews#ixzz2HoAQDEZh

[kennyd]

Was the touch hole clear?    Given the dates of service, maybe it was an over 200 year old load, or was it used for other things before being put in the park.


An opportunity to find out the formulation of 1780's powder, if they would.


Now I REALLY want to clean out the Denver City park stuff (full of dirt, I did my handful when I was a lad).  One 11" bronze Dahlgren, one 6.5" Parrot, and a Mortar.  Put in place in 1895 or so by the GAR.  I think the 11 is aimed close enough that when they put my ashes in a shell, I can come down on the capitol.  Not to mention the 2 Napoleons in front of the Capitol, aimed at the City & County courts &tc.  They have been worked on, so it is pretty sure they are clear.

[kennyd]

I looked this up.  The ball was not rusted in enough to keep it from rolling out, the wool bag still had viable powder in it.  Quote" it was setting there ready to go off at any moment".  SEE, it is true that guns do things without human action.