Canada Issues Warning after WWII UXO Found on US Navy Shipwreck
In a statement the Navy said, "Returning from their operational area, they've (divers) identified over a dozen 227kg bombs and numerous artillery projectiles. The relentless corrosion from decades of saltwater exposure has left these historical artifacts fragmented and weather-beaten."
The wrecked vessels are the USS Pollux and the USS Truxtun, which ran aground on February 18, 1942, during a severe storm in St. Lawrence Harbor. Both ships were part of a WWII convoy. More than 200 people lost their lives in the shipwreck, while 180 survivors managed to reach land safely.
Maritime EOD and the Port Inspection units have surveyed the wreck. The Royal Canadian Navy said, "A comprehensive examination is ongoing to assess the presence and potential risk of explosive materials. Safety is our paramount concern, we spare no effort in our mission to safeguard the public."
Meanwhile, the Canadian government has issued a warning about the prevalence of UXO in the area and beyond, "Unexploded ordnance can also move or be exposed over time. Freeze-thaw cycles, flooding, forest fires, and storms can uncover buried ordnance or move it from place to place. It can also become more unstable and more dangerous over time. It doesn't matter how old a UXO is, whether it's 20 or 100 years old, it can still be very dangerous."
The warning went on the explain, "A simple rule of thumb is to not touch or disturb any rusted metal that you find on the ground or in the water. This is a good idea even if you are not in an area that was previously used for military training, as any unknown rusted metal can be hazardous." They also urged anyone who comes across an UXO to call 911 or the local police as soon as possible.
