Derby: Controlled explosion on English civil war cannon ball?

[Falcon]

I came across this article earlier today. It implies that a controlled explosion was carried out on an English civil war cannon ball found by a boy in Derby.

Is this a case of reporters using incorrect information, or was the controlled explosion carried out as a matter of course?

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Sph...ice-say-bomb/story-25993041-detail/story.html

 

[hicky1300]

Interesting
Wasn`t aware of HE cannon balls during civil war period!!
EOD Playing it safe - or just playing??!!

 

[Spaceinvader]

I have heard of explosive cannonballs but I doubt this was one of them. Also "ordnance device" could just mean a normal solid metal cannonball, could it not? And who finds a 100+ year old cannonball in a hedge in a residential neighborhood?... I have a feeling it wasn't a cannonball at all really. I've seen some big ball bearings!

 

[Falcon]

The ball could easily have been moved from elsewhere with soil. The article does imply that it was a solid iron cannon ball, which it would be if it dated from the English Civil War (1642-1651).

I was wondering if it was them simply playing safe. Imagine the hoo-hah if they left an item with a member of the public after declaring it "safe", and it did turn out to be live.

However, if their policy is to simply blow up anything they are called out to, it could be a worrying development where collectors are concerned.

 

[highlandotter]

This unfortunately happens as items which when examined by properly trained staff and found to be safe,will be blown just to avoid the possibilities of law suites or bad press. After the blast, it sure is safe.