Unexploded ordnance

[ballbuster]

I imagine this may seem to be a dumb question. There appears to be many WWII wrecks that are either restricted or off limits due to unexploded ordnance. My question is two fold. Is this ordnance prone to spontaneous firing or would it require an external force such as handling.

The second part is: has anyone experienced either an explosion or have knowledge of this ever occurring?

I'm by no means suggesting anyone handle these things; just curious. I live my life vicariously through this site. Age and health has restricted me to snorkeling. Not much threat to the seas there. How I long for the days in Hawaii in the 60's when all was well.

Thanks in advance


Jim

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Treasure of Victoria Peak - Grab it through Amazon!

[Narked1]

Jim,
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) is always a hazard when encountered underwater. Reason being, the various types of explosive materials used in ordnance manufacture during WWII (and before) becomes unstable over a period of time. In the underwater environment, salt and chlorides contribute to this instability by the introduction of corrosive by-products as a result of ordnance casing corrosion. Although spontaneous detonation of UXO is not unheard of, it appears to be a rare occurrance according to the US Navy EOD reports that I have read over the years while I was in the military years ago. However, with that being said, it's kind of like if a tree falls down in the woods and nobody's around....does it make a sound? There hasn't been enough study of this to actually be sure how often underwater UXO detonates spontaneously.

Most recorded cases of the detonation of underwater UXO has occurred as a result of the ordnance being handled, bumped, or dropped. I dive in an area that has UXO (WWII era Italian torpedoes for the most part) and the standing rule is that no one touches anything.

Mike

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

[=Narked1 ]
Jim,
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) is always a hazard when encountered underwater. Reason being, the various types of explosive materials used in ordnance manufacture during WWII (and before) becomes unstable over a period of time. In the underwater environment, salt and chlorides contribute to this instability by the introduction of corrosive by-products as a result of ordnance casing corrosion. Although spontaneous detonation of UXO is not unheard of, it appears to be a rare occurrance according to the US Navy EOD reports that I have read over the years while I was in the military years ago. However, with that being said, it's kind of like if a tree falls down in the woods and nobody's around....does it make a sound? There hasn't been enough study of this to actually be sure how often underwater UXO detonates spontaneously.
***********

Correct, I might add that the type of explosive/initiating / or propellent compound is very important, as well as if it is unfired ordnance or has been fired or dropped.. Unfired ord is fairly safe even after long submersion or exposure to the elements. They are specifically designed this way.

However, fired or dropped ordnance is another thing since the safety devices have been removed by the action of firring or by being dropped, IE. vanes.rotating , centrifugal force of the projectile 's rotation or simply inertia.

Any of these could leave firring pin / rod in the initiating compound which is extremely sensitive to heat, friction, or motion of the firring pin / rod. Many times just picking up a UXO say horizontally, then tilting it vertically could set off the detonating train by the loose pin/rod moving in contact with the extremely sensitive initiating compound..

As for aerial bombs forget it, many have fuses which are specifically designed to prevent removing by bomb disposal personal.

I have never heard of unfired UXO self detonating, however it is theoretically possible.

Don Jose de La Mancha Tropical Tramp

 

[ballbuster]

Thanks for the replys guys. Your explainations go beyond my expections.


Jim