One and a half cannon balls

[Mr nibbs]

The large round object, which is the complete cannon ball was found stuck to rocks,with kelp growing on it, the second black object with stones stuck to it has been deep under sand and pebbles or many years.This turned out to be the half a cannon ball. We hope to put a short video on youtube of then crud being knocked off the objects.
As I am diving a lot at the moment, I have started a daily blog www.themoreilook.blogspot.com
Didn't what to cram this great board with stuff that not so many people would find interesting.


Out again tomorrow, themoreilook, the luckier I get

 

[cornelis 816]

Mr Nibbs. You are not cramming this forum !!!! At least you are a working diver . Most of what we read on this forum is non diving related put here by some young guys that have nothing more to do than post garbage . So ...... post some more of what you are doing . My interest you have . Cornelius

 

[signumops]

Carumba!!

 

[Hangingfor8]

You are not cramming this forum. It's the things like this that make this forum great. Thos are wonderful finds. How are you preserving them? I have a few cannon balls that we had to soak for over a year. It may sound like a longtime, but it'll insure you have them for years to come. I'd love to see more pictures.

 

[capt dom]

nothin wrong with havin a lot of balls....

Remember what the queen said!

 

[Au_Dreamers]

I will most definitely agree with the above posters. Post those pics you’re not cramming up the board.

Contrary to what some archaeologists believe some of us like artifacts that aren’t silver, gold or gems.

Some of us just like finding stuff and some of us like finding old stuff!

1715 cannon ball about the size of a grapefruit, I believe a 12 pounder

 

[CanadianTrout]

Remember what the queen said!

"Let them eat cake!"? That comment did not work out so well.... I'm assuming that's not the comment you meant..

 

[Mr nibbs]

Thanks for the nice comments, the cannon balls our in fresh water along with the cannon we found one year ago.
I think the balls our 18 or 24 ponders I will weigh one and let you know the weight. The broken ball is completely hollow, wants we remove the small stones you be able to see it, Any info on why the ball would be hollow ??

Here is a photo of one we found last year,its like it was made yesterday.

 

[bikerlawyer]

It was hollow so they could fill it with gunpowder and a fuse, nothing like firing a huge grenade at the enemy!

 

[Mr nibbs]

This fun part and the exciting part

 

[Mr nibbs]

 

[NewsMan]

So what's the (his)story behind the balls?

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Mr. Nibbs, you got yourself a nice set of balls, LOL. On a more serious note, both of those should be treated by electrolysis. One of my buddies found a grenade of a ship from the 1700s and did not treat it and with in days it began to self destruct. Before long there was nothing left but the crumbs. Those hollow ones do not last at all if not treated. Let me know if you need instructions on doing the electrolysis. and I will post the instructions for it. I have treated many cannon balls and they are all still in one piece.
ZDD

 

[CaribbeanDiver]

Zodiac is right.

Even as you break it open, get it soaking in Salt Away (Or West Marines cheaper version) immediately. Iron can stay in a salt away solution for years before you treat it with reverse electrolysis. 1oz per 2 gallon.

There is nothing worse than ruining an artifact!

Great find!

 

[Mr nibbs]

Went out diving again today. Took the old git Ray with me!

Found this piece of crockery and thought some one might like to see it. Has a cool stamp on it

New Zealand Shipping company, bit of luck that the only bit I found had a mark on it.

But there again the more I look the luckier I get.

Is any one else out there looking at the moment ?

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Hi there Mr. Nibbs, we are still wreck diving for now but will soon start our harbour grubbing. When I do I will post our finds, but we should see if we can start a new forum for bottom finds. They aren't really ship wreck items but still cool finds.
I see your dive buddie is still looking spry as ever.
ZDD

 

[Mr nibbs]

Hi ZZD The find came from the same site as the cannon and cannon balls, unfortunately the site is contaminated with other stuff of a different age. Metal detector finds loads of fishing weights etc.
Every thing is logged and reported to the receiver of wrecks which is UK law. Every find is important to try and help us identify the site.
I think we are learning fast that if one ship was wrecked at a certain spot, there is a good chance other ships modern or old have ended up at the same spot.

Keeping the faith

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Hi ZZD The find came from the same site as the cannon and cannon balls, unfortunately the site is contaminated with other stuff of a different age. Metal detector finds loads of fishing weights etc.
Every thing is logged and reported to the receiver of wrecks which is UK law. Every find is important to try and help us identify the site.
I think we are learning fast that if one ship was wrecked at a certain spot, there is a good chance other ships modern or old have ended up at the same spot.

Keeping the faith

When you regester your finds will you be aloud to keep them and can you apply for a salvage permit?
Good luck with you hunting and keep us posted.
ZDD

 

[birdman]

Love these kind of post. Cannon balls = history so post on!!

 

[Mr nibbs]

Here in the UK you have to report to HM Receiver of wrecks any thing you recover from the water within 28days. Yes anything! bike wheels, bottles, diving weights any thing/every thing.

She then has one year and one day to find the owner. If no owner is found your find then belongs to the crown.
She then tries to find any government department/museum that wants your find. If no want wants it, its yours to keep.

If they want it,then they have to pay you for your salvage service.

Wants you have recovered something you have a duty of care to preserve that find.

You can claim salvage rights on site, which means you cant stop people diving on that site but they are not allowed to remove any thing.

How one polices that is another matter.

Hope this helps