Bomb Squad Detonates 1800s-Era Cannonball In Hull

HULL, MA — A live, 1800s-era cannonball found in a box of antiques was detonated safely by the state police bomb squad Wednesday morning, authorities said. No one was injured in the incident. (Subscribe to Plymouth Patch news alerts for breaking news and updates. iPhone/iPad users: download the new Patch app.)

Hull police Chief John Dunn said at about 9 a.m., a man on Nantasket Avenue called police and said he found the cannonball while doing some spring cleaning.

"He had purchased a box of antiques approximately one year ago," Dunn said in a statement. "He was going through the contents of the box, and found the cannonball, which appeared to have an in tact fuse attached."

The homeowner placed the cannonball on the lawn before calling police, Dunn said. The bomb squad then removed the cannonball and detonated it at the town landfill.

"It is believed that the cannonball was live ordinance and contained explosives," Dunn said.

Photo: A live cannonball found in Hull Wednesday can be seen on the grass of a residence before it was detonated. (Credit: Hull Police Department)