Cannonball Recovered During Renovations

Governors Island, New York Construction workers made a startling discovery when an old cannonball turned up in their backhoe during a renovation project near Soissons Dock. The workers called the police which triggered a massive emergency response from the police and fire departments and the Park Service.

The NY Police Department Bomb Squad was also on hand to provide technical support. The responders determined that the munition, described as a 14 inch Civil War era cannon ball was inert. The cannonball was removed from the construction site.

The 172 acre Governors Island lies within the city limits of New Work about 1/2 mile from the south end of Manhattan. The island has a rich military history that dates back to the Revolutionary War period. The island is owned by the City of New York and the U.S. Government. The Park Service manages a 22 acre portion of the island.