News Summary
Construction crews at the Port of Long Beach uncovered a World War II-era explosive device, prompting a swift response from local and federal agencies. The old shell, originating from the 1940s, was found at Pier G during routine work and has temporarily halted operations in that area. Emergency responders established a safety perimeter and the U.S. Marine Corps ordnance disposal team successfully deactivated the device. Normal operations resumed shortly after the incident, highlighting the ongoing need for safety measures during construction in historically military-active areas.
Long Beach, California—World War II-Era Explosive Discovered at Port
Construction crews at the Port of Long Beach uncovered a World War II-era explosive device on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a rapid response from local and federal agencies. The discovery occurred at Pier G, one of the port’s six container terminals, and has temporarily disrupted operations at that location.
Details of the Discovery
The explosive device, believed to be originating from the 1940s during World War II, was found during routine construction activities. The object appears to be an old shell, approximately eight decades old, and was likely left at the site from military activities or previous port operations that took place when the port housed a major U.S. Navy base. The port’s history, which includes being home to a significant naval facility from 1919 until 1997, suggests the possibility of other unexploded ordnance lurking from that era, though this particular device was the only one identified during the recent excavation.
Emergency Response and Safety Measures
Upon discovery, authorities responded swiftly. Long Beach Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard evacuated the immediate area around Pier G and established a secure safety perimeter to prevent access by unauthorized personnel. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad was dispatched to assess the device’s condition. Cargo operations at Pier G were halted to ensure safety and to facilitate the investigation.
Investigation and Explosive Disposal
The U.S. Marine Corps ordnance disposal team was called in to assist with the examination and handling of the explosive. After carefully analyzing the device, military experts determined that it was safe to transport. The device was carefully moved off-site, where it was subsequently deactivated by bomb disposal specialists. The process adhered to strict safety procedures to avoid any risk of detonation or unintended consequences.
Resumption of Port Activities and Ongoing Security
Following the successful disposal of the explosive, normal operations resumed at Pier G by Wednesday night. The remaining five container terminals at the port continued their activities without interruption, ensuring that supply chains and cargo deliveries remained unaffected.
Historical Context of the Port
The Port of Long Beach is a vital hub for international trade and commerce on the West Coast. Its history is closely tied to the U.S. Navy, with the port serving as a major military shipyard and naval base for most of the 20th century. The military installations left behind some unexploded ordnance and other remnants of wartime activity, which occasionally surface during construction or dredging projects. Agencies regularly conduct surveys and safety checks to mitigate hazards related to these remnants.
Conclusion
The discovery of a World War II-era explosive device at the Port of Long Beach underscores the importance of safety measures during infrastructure development and the ongoing need to address relics from the country’s military history. Thanks to the coordinated response from multiple agencies, the device was safely deactivated, minimizing risk to personnel and the public. Authorities continue to monitor the area and conduct inspections to ensure no additional unexploded ordnance pose a threat to ongoing port activities.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- NBC Los Angeles
- Wikipedia: World War II
- Los Angeles Times
- Google Search: World War II explosive device
- CBS News Los Angeles
- Google Scholar: World War II explosive devices
- Long Beach Post
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Explosive Devices
- AOL News
- Google News: Long Beach Port explosive device
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VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
