1964.58

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Details

ID Number

1964.58

Category

T&E For Science & Technology

Sub-category

armament T&E - ammunition

Item Name

cannonball

Materials

METAL, IRON

Description

plug; 8 lbs.; broad arrow

History

Found in Callam Bay, south of Amherstburg. A 24 lbs ball could penetrate 4.5 feet of solid oak at a range of 100 yards. It was often used for knocking out enemy gun batteries, and breaching enemy fortifiications. When heated to a cherry red, round shot became hot shot. This was done in hopes of setting fire to whatever it hit. During the bombardment of Detroit in August of 1812 "a ball came bounding over the fort wall dealing death in its passage. A group standing at the door of one of the officer's quarters were almost annihilated… Many women and children were in the house where the officers were slain… Several of [the women] were bespattered with blood…" (Lossing 1868).

Collection Name

Museum Windsor

Subject (Fre)

Y

Subjects

Amherstburg (Ont.) place

Callam Bay place

Detroit (Mich.) subject

War / Guerre subject

Weapon subject