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CHESTER, Va. (AP) -- Like many boys in the South, Sam White got hooked on the Civil War early, digging up rusting bullets and military buttons in the battle-scarred earth of his hometown.
As an adult, he crisscrossed the Virginia countryside in search of wartime relics -- weapons, battle flags, even artillery shells buried in the red clay. He sometimes put on diving gear to feel for treasures hidden in the black muck of river bottoms.
But in February, White's hobby cost him his life: A cannonball he was restoring exploded, killing him in his driveway.
Civil War cannonball explodes and kills Virginia relic collector
Seeded on Sat May 3, 2008 12:52 AM EDT
Article Source: The New York Times- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (33)
Unexploded ordinance can be incredibly dangerous even though it is a century and a half old. Obviously even experts can be fooled.
- 4 votes
#1 - Sat May 3, 2008 12:54 AM EDTDangerous indeed.
I have friends that work with WWII equipment. Would be devastating for something such as this to happen there.
- 4 votes
You should try SCUBA diving around an old wreak and see what happens when something blows, even something like a single .50 caliber machine gun shell can easily rupture an eardrum and knock a person unconscious in seconds. The Force of a water shock wave is not very forgiving and that can be a very real hazard if your not very careful on wreak diving.
- 5 votes
That's just (snicker) terrible! Ahem! I mean (snicker), the poor man's family.... AWWW HELL! Who am I kidding? THIS IS COMEDY GOLD!!! BWAH HA HA HA!!
- 1 vote
#2 - Sat May 3, 2008 1:46 AM EDTThere is definitely some kind of weird karmic element to it...not that I'm a believer, but it does give me pause.
- 3 votes
We make this news when hundreds of unexploded cluster bomb still exist in Lebanon?
Let us get our priorities straight.
This does not take in to account the thousands of mines in the world.
If a Civil War bomb can kill someone then these other unexploded devices can kill many more.
- 4 votes
#3 - Sat May 3, 2008 4:28 AM EDTRiiiiight. So, it's not news because there's other news in the world? Unexploded Civil War ordinance and unexploded cluster bombs are not mutually exclusive.
This does not take in to account the thousands of mines in the world.
No, because it's a story about a CIVIL WAR RELIC.
I read a story this morning about heart disease, and it didn't take into account malaria or cluster bombs. Should I complain to the editor?
- 8 votes
Yeah.....Big difference I would agree. Exploding Civil War Relic's are not exactly a everyday occurrence....
- 6 votes
What makes this story interesting for me as we think of civil war cannons as ancient technology therefore somewhat somewhat suspect in it's efficiency. Here is an example of a deadly piece of that technology reaching out from almost 150 years ago to wreck havoc and kill someone. What will someone who finds our technology hundreds or thousands of years from now (I am thinking atomic weapons here) think of the relics we leave behind.
- 6 votes
That would be interesting, we could leave a nuclear bomb in a time capsule to be opened a 100 years from now....
- 2 votes
It is awful to consider and very good reasons to adopt a minimalist attitude. ESPECIALLY with regard to our military. To be honest, cluster bombs seem like a no-brainer to me, but it is clear that is the problem with the current administration.
- 2 votes
After White's death, about two dozen homes were evacuated for two days while explosives experts collected pieces from his collection and detonated them.
Great seed. Condolences to the family.
- 4 votes
It is a good one. When I lived in Germany, they still would find old un-exploded bombs in Berlin. Scary stuff.
- 4 votes
It is a great story and written very well. I love artifacts and the stories behind them. I'm a Roadshow junkie.
- 3 votes
Yeah me too, I also used to go all over those Civil War battlefields with my metal detector when I was young and collected tons of old bullets and goodies..
- 5 votes
When did you live in Germany? My dad was stationed there, and it looks like a fascinating place.
- 3 votes
I was born there and then from 1989 until 1996. Just outside of Dusseldorf. First time because my Dad was stationed in Stuttgart and the second was for work.
- 3 votes
I forgot, you told me that! brother, I need to work on my memory!
- 3 votes
If you figure out a way to fix it, let me know....mine is horrible...
- 3 votes
Drink a tablespoon of Chlorophyll in your water every day. Makes a really green colored drink, but it tastes good if you get mint flavored. OBVIOUSLY I haven't been drinking it lately.
:p
- 3 votes
Good idea, Monica, but how will I remember to drink..eh...whatever? Chernobyl...
- 3 votes
We still love ya Tedd. You always have good ideas and anybody that knows as much stuff as you can't be all bad.
- 4 votes
Thanks lucky, guess anyone that has a avatar of my favorite dog cannot be all bad either ☺
- 4 votes
luckydog Have you looked around recently ?
I get the feeling that person might be somewhat dead...Yikes four articles on the same subject....
Oh well, you are killing the rest of them on votes ☺
Civil War cannonball explodes and kills Virginia relic collector
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Civil War cannonball kills Virginia relic collector
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- 3 votes
Odd Tedd but I didn't get a doppelganger so I will assume I was first or at least early. The title is somewhat interesting I think. According to analytics it is one of my most popular articles in the last 30 days. Thanks for the info.
- 3 votes
Doppelganger is basically worthless most of the time, no it did not show up, you had it first, I am surprised it did not match the first 3 since the titles where so close. Of course I knew exactly who made the title (Killf) for number 4, just by the style. I am sure you are getting tons of hits on this one, I have emailed a few friends on it that are collector nuts, I was hoping they would comment.
- 3 votes
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