Munition Washes Ashore At State Park

Lewes, Delaware Park rangers at the Henlopen State Park discovered an old rusted military shell just above the high tide line of the Atlantic Ocean . The park rangers called the Delaware State Police who responded with an Air Force EOD team out of Dover Air Force Base. The munition could not be positively identified due to the amount of rust and barnacles on the item but authorities suspect that it is a WWI era mortar shell.

EOD safely relocated the munition from the area for further analysis and proper disposal. The beach was closed for several hours during the incident but was reopened to the public shortly after the munition was transported off-site.

Cape Henlopen has a military history as it was considered a strategic location for the U.S Navy and Army during the War of 1812, Civil War, World War I, and World War II. During WWII, the U.S. Army built Fort Miles at Cape Henlopen. Due to the location of the find, there is a strong possibility that the munition found was a result of sea disposal activities that occurred in the past along the eastern sea board.