Bomb disposal team to examine beach find
ROYAL Navy bomb disposal experts were this morning set to investigate a mystery metal object found on an Essex beach which sparked safety fears. The item, which measured about 18inches in length, was found partially buried in the sand yesterday near to Clacton Pier by two youngsters who feared it could be an unexploded wartime bomb.
ROYAL Navy bomb disposal experts were this morning set to investigate a mystery metal object found on an Essex beach which sparked safety fears.
The item, which measured about 18inches in length, was found partially buried in the sand yesterday near to Clacton Pier by two youngsters who feared it could be an unexploded wartime bomb.
Coastguards sealed off the area near to the busy pier where the object, which had been leaking black fluid, had been found but the afternoon tide prevented further investigation.
After the sea level dropped last night, detailed descriptions of the item were sent to a Royal Navy specialist unit, based in Portsmouth. However, the object was not recognised and a team was dispatched to investigate any possible danger.
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Thames Coastguard constructed a cordon around the object, and watch manager, Bruce Lack, said: "There is not an ID on it and there are no classification markings. We do not think it is suspicious, but it is worth investigation.
"We passed the description of the item, which is well exposed in the sand, onto the Royal Navy bomb disposal squad and they are moving up here either tonight or tomorrow morning."
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The tide was to cover the mysterious find again at about 2am and then, if not disturbed by the sea water, it was due to reappear at about 8am today.
Tim Sutton, senior sea front officer for Tendring District Council, said there had been a number of potentially dangerous military items found on the beach previously.
"When the sea defences were being done, three or four items were washed up. A hand grenade was found on the beach.
"Two lads came up to the beach patrol unit and said they were not sure what the thing was and thought it might be worth checking out," he said.
Clacton fisherman, Terry Stimpson, said he thought he had driven over it when he set out in the morning and said it was mainly covered up when he saw it.
He added the item looked brown and encrusted and said he was not too fearful of it being able to detonate.
