Posted on 07/05/2016 8:18:46 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Neighbors tell WOOD-TV the cannon, which was made specifically to celebrate Independence Day, was being fired all day before the explosion.
“I kept hearing the cannon go off,” Larry Jachim told the news station. “‘Fire in the hole!’ to alert everybody because it shakes the windows, and I’m about five houses down.”
“They were just blowing the cannon off all through the day,” added neighbor Dan Fitzgerald, “and I don’t know if he packed it too full or something.”
The explosion, which happened in front of several bystanders, sent shrapnel flying more than 150 yards toward neighboring homes, according to the report. Fitzgerald said a chunk of shrapnel gouged his yard and snapped the clothesline.
(Excerpt) Read more at detroit.cbslocal.com ...
Pyrotechnics are part of Rocket Science. The perp here is likely not.
“Here, hold my beer and watch this!”
metals weaken from the shock and awe...
this happens with all cannons, inspections are recommended and use only the recommended charge.
There, but for the grace of God ...
Some friends of mine had a cannon that blew up on us on the 4th. One of the rocket scientists decided since we were out of black powder to use smokeless. The largest chunk weighed about 5 lbs and we found it lodged in the dirt hill after it passed through a VW bus. There was a lot of damage to property, but it was absolutely a miricle that nobody was killed or injured.
I remember years ago reading how to make one out of plastic pipe and fired off with carbide. Never tried it.
Police identified the victim as Anthony Herman, 46. They said he was lighting a homemade cannon about 10:45 p.m. when it exploded. They believe a piece of metal shrapnel hit him in the chest. A neighbor said it appeared he had moved away from the cannon after lighting it.Sounds like a chunk of shrapnel got him in the heart.“We heard a loud explosion and then we heard sirens and stuff,” neighbor Dan Fitzgerald said.
Somebody else started CPR, believing Herman was suffering a cardiac arrest, before rescuers arrived. But Michigan State Police said he died at the scene.
Neighbors said Herman had been firing from steel cannons about a foot tall.
At least he died doing something he loved.
“At least he died doing something he loved.”
Good one !
.
Unless confined in fixed ammo, smokeless usually just burns & fizzles. Howja manage to make it go boom?
Alcohol and commercial grade explosives, what could possibly go wrong?.......
CC
The world is a sadder place since we lost John Candy.
ACME
Sometimes the 2nd Amendment bites you in the butt.
cumulative fatigue damage...I suspect he never studied Miner’s rule...
Home Made,,?
It sure is!
even your basic minecraft players know about that...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.