Effects of Canister Shot in the Civil War

[Cannoneer]

An article describing a display at the "National Museum of Health and Medicine" located in Washington D.C., that contains the skull of a soldier of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteers.

http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/exhibits/virtual/canister_shot.html

[Artilleryman]

The story talks about iron fragments found in the skull.  The canister round would have had to be fragmented when it entered the skull, because it would not have fragmented on impact with the skull.

[RocklockI]

YIKES pieces of iron in the skull ! 
 
At least it was quick 

Not that it matters much but the rust may have come from a bit of the canister itself ?

[Cannoneer]

The story talks about iron fragments found in the skull.  The canister round would have had to be fragmented when it entered the skull, because it would not have fragmented on impact with the skull.

The article states that the skull was exposed to the elements for approximately 16 years, but if the skull was dicovered in 1876, and the soldier was killed on July 18, 1863, then the skull could only have been exposed to the elements for 13 years. Nevertheless, that's 13 years exposed to sea water or sea mist, so perhaps the examiners of the skull were describing (as fragments) rusted remnants of the corroded iron ball found on the inside wall of the skull where it failed to exit.

[dan610324]

such a large ball will not rust away that quick

[Cannoneer]

Really; you should have seen a Datsun I once owned.

[dan610324]

yeah I know things can rust
but its a little difference between a 28,5 millimiter cast iron ball and 0,7 millimeter steel in a car body

[Cannoneer]

Yeah, iron rusts at a much faster rate, and isn't protected by that fine quality Japanese rust inhibiting undercoat.

[dan610324]

remember that the brain is mostly fat , so those fragments was very well protected against corrosion 

[mechanic]

I have a box of cannister that I excavated.  Based on what I see, this would last hundreds more years buried......  What I have is about the size of a golf ball.  I found it all clumped together, so it was probably buried or covered still in canister, and the canister rusted away.  One of these things would removed a head when fired from a cannon.  Deadly stuff.

Ben

[Cannoneer]

Yes, but blood is high in salt content.

Why did you quit before, I was just starting to have fun.   Now, just because you're disagreeing with me I hope DD gives you both barrels for getting involved with the off-color remarks on the 'Wrinled Balls' thread. 

[Cannoneer]

Ben, my post is meant for Daniel not you, but it appears that you two may make a good team. Where did you find the iron cannister shot?

[dan610324]

not both barrels , just deleted 
we are lucky that we survived , must agree that it might not was the most suitable words 

[Cannoneer]

Oohhhh, now you see the bad luck that mysteriously happens to befall people who dare challenge my pronouncements. ,     Okay Dan, I'm done. I'm going to quit messing around before I get in trouble.

[Artilleryman]

  One of these things would removed a head when fired from a cannon.  Deadly stuff.

Ben

To not have gone completely through his head, the round either bounced several times or had already passed through other soldiers or both.

[mechanic]

Ben, my post is meant for Daniel not you, but it appears that you two may make a good team. Where did you find the iron cannister shot?

Back in the 1960's, Ft. Tyler in West Point, Ga. was owned by the city and used as a water treatment area or some such.  It was literally packed with old ordnance that had been bull dozed around.  Today the fort has been partly restored and is a heritage site.  I've seen one guy who had about 20 buckets, 5 gal full of grape and cannister.  It also had quite a bit of explosive ordnance, which I left alone at the time.  I kept expecting to hear of someone blowing their head off................

Ben