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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Alabama's Pivoting Blakely Gun
Press Release
Paris, France
28 March 1995
The Alabama's Blakely gun recovered from the wreck on 29 June1994, was found to be loaded. On 10 March 1995, the shell was defused byFrench explosives experts delegated by the Ministry of the Interior's "ProtectionCivile." The operation took place on the grounds of "Electricitede France" (EDF) in Cannes (France) where the cannon is undergoingconservation treatment in the EDF laboratories of "ArchÇolyseInternational". City, regional and national authorities were present,as well as Dr. Ulane Bonnel, President of the Association CSS Alabamaand the Association's archaeologist, Captain Max GuÇrout, FrenchNavy (retired).
Strict security measures were taken in case the shell, after 130 yearsin sea water, should still be live. The percussion-type fuse was in factunscrewed and removed without difficulty, thanks to a tool made by the explosivesexperts for that purpose. The black powder was found to be perfectly dry,was recovered and will be analyzed. In two or three months an attempt willbe made to extract the shell itself, hopefully intact.
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21 September 1996