The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) discovered a set of stolen Civil War-era cannonballs in a passenger's suitcase during a routine security screening at Gulf Shores International Airport on July 18. A TSA officer noticed an unusually large item on an X-ray scan and, upon opening the luggage, found five cannonballs wrapped in paper towels.
TSA Officer Justin Dupree described the find as unique, noting he had previously encountered inert grenades and training munitions but not historical artifacts. The cannonballs, the largest about the size of grapefruits, were confirmed to be inactive and contained no explosive material. However, the TSA classifies cannonballs as artillery munitions, which are prohibited items on aircraft.
Law enforcement officials determined the cannonballs were stolen from Fort Morgan, an Alabama historic site that played a role in the Civil War. Paint markings applied by fort staff helped identify their origin. According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, a juvenile took the cannonballs from a storage area at the fort and placed them in their grandmother’s checked bag. The grandmother reportedly stated she was unaware the items were stolen.
The sheriff's office confirmed that the institution declined to press charges, and the cannonballs were subsequently returned to Fort Morgan.