PORT TOWNSEND — An unfired World War II artillery shell discovered on a Port Townsend beach had no fuse and was inert, Navy personnel said.
The 21-inch-long, 70-pound shell found Monday at Land’s End Park was in no danger of exploding, Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians told Port Townsend police before they took it to dispose of it.
They said it most likely originated from the bunker located above the beach at the end of Elmira Street, which once was part of the Fort Worden military base complex.
The shell was seen by a person on the beach and reported in an email message sent at 9:20 a.m. to East Jefferson Fire-Rescue Chief Gordon Pomeroy, who did not discover the message until 11:49 a.m., said Luke Bogues, Port Townsend Police Department spokesman, on Tuesday.
Pomeroy alerted the Port Townsend Police Department. Police arrived at North Beach Park along with an off-road vehicle.
With help from the reporting party, police found the ordnance about 1.5 miles west of North Beach County Park and called the Navy technicians.
The Navy investigators also determined that it was not a chemical weapon.
It is not known how long the shell was on the beach, Bogues said.
Response was slowed because the shell was reported by email, Bogues said.
The email was sent from a residence rather than from a smartphone, Bogues said.
‘”It worked out this time, but email isn’t the best way to report this kind of thing,” Bogues said.
“If anyone sees something that resembles an explosive, do not approach it and call 9-1-1 immediately.”
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
