ROCKPORT – Police Chief John Horvath reports that the Rockport Police Department, along with the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad and Rockport Fire, responded to the discovery of a possible World War I era ordnance on Cleaves Street.
At approximately 4:33 p.m. on Sat., March 8, an individual cleaning a cottage on Cleaves Street came across what appeared to be a decommissioned 75mm artillery shell. The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad was notified and responded to the scene, where they conducted an X-ray analysis of the object. However, the results were inconclusive.
Out of an abundance of caution, the Bomb Squad made the determination to conduct a controlled detonation at the Rockport Police Department gun range, located off Piggery Crossing. The detonation was successfully completed without incident.
Rockport Fire Department, Rockport Fire Department Ambulance and Beauport Ambulance stood by as a precaution during the detonation.
There is no ongoing threat to the public, and no charges have been filed in connection with this incident. ♦
