Magnet Fisherman Finds Unexploded Grenade in River

A metal detectorist from Dorchester has found an unexploded grenade in the river Frome while magnet fishing.

Mr Hill realised what the item was as soon as he removed it from the water, following a previous incident where he found a grenade in the same river and took it home before realising it was an item of UXO.

On finding the grenade, Mr Hill said “I was magnet fishing by myself in the river Frome near the road behind Dorchester Prison when I pulled it up out of the water at around 2pm. I called the police straightaway as I realised what it was. When I pulled it up I thought ‘oh no, not another one’. This will be the third one I have found personally, and the fourth on the group [Dorset Magnet Fishing Community]”.

Dorset Police said they received a report at 2.35pm on Monday regarding a rusty unexploded grenade that had been pulled from a river in Dorchester. An explosive ordnance disposal team was informed, and a cordon was put in place.

A clear message from explosives specialists

Those who enjoy magnet fishing have been warned by explosives specialists to exercise extreme caution as WW2 unexploded ordnance (UXO) is dangerous, and despite its age, a detonation is still very much a possibility.

Earlier this year an unexploded WW2 grenade was found by a magnet fisher in Lancashire. Last year a magnet fisher from the West Midlands found 19 grenades in a single outing near Birmingham!

The most frequently found grenades are known as ‘Mills Bombs’. Production of these started before WW1 and they were the standard issue grenade for British forces up until the 1970s. There were four main variants throughout its service life, the No.5, No.23, No.36 and No.36M (which has a protective shellac coating).

Unexploded Ordnance Risk Management Services

Brimstone are the fastest-growing UK company for UXO risk management. Head to our website to explore our many services, including our training course. If you are unsure of how we can best help you, you can use our handy online tool to find the right service for your project.

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