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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/16/unexploded-wwii-german-bomb-found-portsmouth-harbour
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| Unexploded WWII German bomb found in Portsmouth harbour | Unexploded WWII German bomb found in Portsmouth harbour |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Cross-channel ferries have been blocked from entering or leaving Portsmouth harbour after engineers dredged up an unexploded German bomb hidden for more than 70 years in the mud. | Cross-channel ferries have been blocked from entering or leaving Portsmouth harbour after engineers dredged up an unexploded German bomb hidden for more than 70 years in the mud. |
| A cordon is in place around the harbour until the bomb, the third explosive found there since September, can be towed out to sea to be detonated. It was discovered by a dredging barge that was deepening the harbour ahead of the arrival of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy’s new 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier. | A cordon is in place around the harbour until the bomb, the third explosive found there since September, can be towed out to sea to be detonated. It was discovered by a dredging barge that was deepening the harbour ahead of the arrival of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy’s new 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier. |
| A navy spokesman said: “Another German unexploded bomb has been found in Portsmouth harbour. A 500-metre cordon is in place around the device, which is preventing cross-channel ferries from entering and leaving the ferry port. | A navy spokesman said: “Another German unexploded bomb has been found in Portsmouth harbour. A 500-metre cordon is in place around the device, which is preventing cross-channel ferries from entering and leaving the ferry port. |
| “A plan is in place to tow the bomb out of the harbour, where it will be destroyed in open waters by RN bomb disposal experts.” | “A plan is in place to tow the bomb out of the harbour, where it will be destroyed in open waters by RN bomb disposal experts.” |
| We are currently experiencing delays due to discovery of unexploded WW2 bomb in Portsmouth Harbour. Will update asap. | We are currently experiencing delays due to discovery of unexploded WW2 bomb in Portsmouth Harbour. Will update asap. |
| A spokesperson for Hampshire constabulary said: “We can confirm we are supporting the Royal Navy this morning following the discovery of a piece of historic ordnance in Portsmouth harbour. EOD [Explosive Ordnance Disposal] are currently on the scene assessing the device. As a precaution, a cordon has been set up around the immediate area.” | |
| Passengers waiting to disembark at the port have been left stuck out at sea as ferries queue to get into the harbour. | Passengers waiting to disembark at the port have been left stuck out at sea as ferries queue to get into the harbour. |
| Ferry operator Condor Ferries said in a statement: “Due to a possible unexploded ordinance found in Portsmouth harbour, the harbour is currently closed. Commodore Clipper is currently holding outside the harbour and we will send out an update once further information is received.” | Ferry operator Condor Ferries said in a statement: “Due to a possible unexploded ordinance found in Portsmouth harbour, the harbour is currently closed. Commodore Clipper is currently holding outside the harbour and we will send out an update once further information is received.” |
| A spokeswoman for Portsmouth International Port estimated it would take “several hours” to dispose of the bomb. | A spokeswoman for Portsmouth International Port estimated it would take “several hours” to dispose of the bomb. |
| Two ferries – the Brittany Ferries Normandy, from France, and the Condor Clipper, from the Channel Islands – were waiting to dock. | Two ferries – the Brittany Ferries Normandy, from France, and the Condor Clipper, from the Channel Islands – were waiting to dock. |
| Portsmouth, on the Hampshire coast, is home to the navy’s largest dockyard and was a major target of German bombers during the second world war. A 1,100lb (500kg) German bomb was found at the end of September by the dredging barge, which led to the evacuation of the nearby Gunwharf Quays retail and leisure centre. | Portsmouth, on the Hampshire coast, is home to the navy’s largest dockyard and was a major target of German bombers during the second world war. A 1,100lb (500kg) German bomb was found at the end of September by the dredging barge, which led to the evacuation of the nearby Gunwharf Quays retail and leisure centre. |
| A torpedo was also found earlier that month. | A torpedo was also found earlier that month. |