The Charleston Museum presents Blasted: Assorted Projectiles and Explosives of the Civil War an exhibition on view January 13 through September 10, 2012.
This original exhibition explores the varied and sometimes revolutionary artillery shells and small arms projectiles that were used during this country’s defining conflict. Artifacts on exhibit include a rare Quinlivan shot designed to penetrate Federal ironclads and a two-chambered incendiary shell likely intended for use in Charleston’s defense.
As the newly formed Confederacy rushed to arm itself in the wake of Fort Sumter’s surrender, state and local authorities imported, commandeered, or otherwise cobbled together the ordnance and ammunition necessary to defend the South. Besides the arms confiscated after secession, South Carolina manufacturers, such as Alexander John & Co., the Congaree Foundry, Palmetto Iron Works, the Palmetto Armory, and the State Gun Works, labored to produce weapons and ammunition that at the time were called “…extremely high quality, innovative, and effective.” The war also brought innovation and new technologies emerged including river torpedoes, rifled shells with timed fuses, and state-of-the-art metallic cartridges for small arms. All proved themselves deadly effective.
For more information, visit www.charlestonmuseum.org/exhibits- upcoming or call (843) 722-2996.