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Bomb proves to be a dud
(by Rick Palsgrove, Southeast Editor - June 08, 2009)
The World War II artillery shell was marked "inert" and someone had holes drilled into it, but Warren Motts wasn't taking any chances and called the Columbus Bomb Squad to check it out.
A woman recently donated the 155mm artillery shell, which was given to her late husband as a gift honoring his service during World War II, to the Motts Military Museum.
"It's a hefty projectile," said Motts, director of Motts Miltary Museum, who added the shell had no powder and looked safe, but he wanted to be certain.
"I don't like to take chances," said Motts.
On June 4, Motts called the fire department to check out the shell, but he didn't expect the flurry of activity that happened next. Fire and police officials quickly shut down Old Hamilton Road and evacuated a wide area around the museum. Television news crews swept in and people in the village of Groveport could hear the "thump-thump" sound of television news helicopters circling overhead.
Madison Township Fire Department Captain Drew Pruden said the Columbus Bomb Squad X-rayed the shell and determined it was not explosive.
"Everything turned out good and that's the way we like it," said Pruden.
Motts said people should always be cautious with old military shells and explosives because the ordnance may still be lethal. He said old hand grenades are commonly found and, though they are usually diffused, one can't tell just by looking at them.
"You should always call the fire department when you find something like this. Don't move or touch it until it's checked out. The older this stuff gets, the more unstable it is," said Motts.
As for the shell that caused all the ruckus, Motts said it will be put on display in the museum.
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