Unexploded wartime shell found at Petit Port

The shell is believed to have been fired from one of the guns that looked out over the area during the war but did not detonate. Stuart Elliott, the Island’s bomb disposal officer, said the 150 mm shell had been detonated in a controlled explosion for safety reasons yesterday lunchtime.

‘A gentleman out walking amongst the rocks found what he thought was a shell and sent us some images,’ he said. ‘It was in very poor condition, very corroded and was about 600 metres out from Petit Port slipway, edging a bit towards Corbière.’

Mr Elliott added that around three or four such shells are found locally each year, although 2016 had been a particularly busy year. Yesterday’s find is understood to be the first this year. Mr Elliott said that the man’s decision to take photos of the find had been particularly helpful.

‘If you find something like this the first thing is to note the position and do not touch it or move it,’ he said. ‘The first opportunity you get inform the police, who will in turn contact me. Images are always helpful because sometimes we can eliminate things as needing our attention.’

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