Shortly after 6 p.m., a cannon onboard Old Ironsides misfired and seemed to have lobbed a projectile at a building on the grounds of the Charlestown Navy Yard.
Boston Police were requested to help find the projectile, in an unusual call that a BPD dispatcher had to relay to an officer twice, because the world's oldest commissioned warship is not in the habit of firing towards land and BPD isn't usually called on to help find errant projectiles.
In the end, no injuries were reported, no British frigates or Redcoats needed to be repelled, and the US Navy took control of the investigation into how one of the cannons - which technically consist of modern mortars inside replica cannons - misfired.
And then BPD had to respond to a more usual call - that somebody might be trying to break into an abandoned building nearby on Constitution Road.
Via Stanley Staco.
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Comments
Mortars?
By perruptor
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 5:10am
I assume that would be like the mortars used in fireworks displays, not the kind the Army uses to lob explosives at an enemy. I'm wondering what the projectile was.
Howitzers
By lbb
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 9:27am
Others may be different, but the Esplanade fireworks on 4th of July uses 105mm howitzers.
A 105mm howitzer is used for
By Bob Leponge
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 10:23pm
A 105mm howitzer is used for the "cannon fire" sound in the 1812 overture played by the Boston Pops on July 4th on the Esplanande. Are you saying that the barge from which the fireworks are launched also has a bunch of 105mm howitzers on it to launch the aerial fireworks?
Oh, no
By lbb
Tue, 10/22/2024 - 9:22am
I was just thinking of the "cannon" sound effects (unclear writing, that's on me). Firing fireworks out of a howitzer would be a BAD idea.
I wonder what the gripe…
By Lee
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 7:21am
… between the boat and the building is all about? Will there be retaliation? Grudges die hard in Charlestown.
I am so confused by this
By anon
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 7:27am
I am so confused by this cause 2nd Ave is far away from the ship and the cannon that they use for colors at sunset is on the starboard side generally since it faces the water and is away from the people in the apartments who complain about the noise
Yeah, that's why I didn't put the specific address
By adamg
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 9:27am
Because the address that police got (21 Second Ave.) is basically the main gate for the National Park Service part of the Navy Yard.
"Modern mortars inside replica cannons?"
By necturus
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 7:47am
Well, that's disappointing. I always imagined they were the ship's original 18- and 24-pounders.
Does HMS Victory also have fake cannons?
The originals are long gone
By Saddlebrook7
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 10:27am
My recollection from taking the tour of the ship is that all the original guns were removed long ago. When the ship was turned into a museum some similar guns were scrounged from other ships and shore displays. The forward most on each side have been bored out to allow them to fire modern, breach-loaded saluting charges. Damn loud if you are on board at morning or evening colors.
I don't condone
By Section77
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 8:17am
But I understand.
A bad day for Patriots
By anon
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 8:53am
The Patriots misfired yesterday morning in London and later that evening in Charlestown
Pretty serious mishap, it'll
By anon
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 9:03am
Pretty serious mishap, it'll be interesting to see if big Navy relieves the Captain.
Allegedly
By steve_ce
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 9:09am
Allegedly
Was it picked up
By g
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 10:48am
by ShotSpotters?
If it cannot ID a simple incoming mortar what good is it?
War Games
By Username Unknown
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 11:08am
This was probably just a training exercise to get ready for its deployment to the West Bank.
of course they have real guns
By Vicki
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 11:27am
The navy boasts that the Constitution isn't just their oldest ship, it's the oldest commissioned warship still afloat, and that implies that it's carrying weapons, even though it would make no sense to send a wooden sailing ship into a modern battle.
It is the oldest commissioned warship afloat
By necturus
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 12:01pm
...but only because HMS Victory, which is some 40 years older, is dry-docked. Victory, Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar, is technically still in commission, but hasn't been afloat for decades, presumably because it deteriorates more slowly in dry-dock than it would if it were in the water.
FO4
By Brent Jeffries
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 11:31am
Probably just the Sole Survivor completing the Constitution side quest.
I started to look up the
By Frelmont
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 11:56am
I started to look up the mortar used, how many cycles the original guns were rated for and if the projectile was wading, or a cover and threw up my hands in resignation and cried “frigate!”
Am I wrong for laughing at this?
By scollaysq
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 11:59am
Maybe I just need more coffee.
We want you...
By Friartuck
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 1:30pm
As a new recruit ...
I think I've got a lead to follow!
By tachometer
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 1:54pm
The cannon was obviously a diversionary tactic to the real crime!
I've watched lots of heist movies and there's no doubt in my mind about it.
/s
Maybe they saw that "mortar &
By Rob
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 2:00pm
Maybe they saw that "mortar & RPG training follies" video that's been making the rounds on social media and wanted to get some views.
Used to work in the old Laundry/Infirmary Building
By SwirlyGrrl
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 9:42pm
Those cannons were wicked loud - I was usually wrapping my day when they went off.
We would have these meetings with out of town committee members several times a year. People didn't expect a cannon firing event. One time the meeting was running late enough for the evening firing. Freaked a bunch of folks out. My boss was like "that means it is time to go to dinner".