500lb wartime bomb found in Portsmouth Harbour

Homeland February 22, 2017

Royal Navy bomb disposal experts have been called to Portsmouth Harbour this morning, where a Second World War bomb has been found.

The device was found in the early hours of this morning in the excavator head of one of the barges dredging the harbour.

The harbour is currently being dredged as part of infrastructure upgrades to make it ready for the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Navy’s’ new 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier and her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales.

Numerous works are being undertaken in the multi-million pound infrastructure works, including new power facilities, navigational aids, and upgrades to jetties. The dredging operations are designed to deepen the main channel by metre

With the harbour closed temporarily, Royal Navy divers are on the scene and working alongside the MOD Police, Portsmouth City Council, Hampshire Constabulary, the Queen’s Harbour Master and other organisations, ensuring public safety and minimising disruption.

The German SC250 bomb weighs 500lb and contains 290lb of high explosives. New power facilities are also being built, navigational aids installed and jetties upgraded to take the carriers alongside.

“At this stage it is too early to tell when normality will be restored to Portsmouth Harbour,” said Lieutenant Mike St Pierre, the officer leading the bomb disposal team on the scene.

“But my team of Royal Navy divers are assessing the situation to work out how we can remove the bomb swiftly and safely with the help of the contractors, the Queen’s Harbour Master, Hampshire Constabulary and our operations centre.

“As always the Royal Navy stands ready to respond to these call-outs and keep people safe. Despite being old, these devices can pose a very serious threat.”

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bomb bomb disposal HMS Prince of Wales Portsmouth Harbour Queen Elizabeth II Royal Navy