Old military explosive found on Del. beach

An 18-inch-long artillery type shell was found on the beach at Delaware's Henlopen State Park on Monday, police said.

Bomb disposal teams from the State Police and Dover Air Force Base examined the ordnance, but could not determine its specific type, officials said. They removed it for further analysis and destruction.

The beach was closed for several hours until bomb disposal experts removed the rusted and barnacle encrusted shell.

Park rangers found the shell above the high tide line, State Police said.

World War I era military ordnance that was dumped at sea years ago has been appearing around the region, dredged up by clam boats and during beach replenishment projects.

It cost about $17 million to clean up munitions that ended up on a beach in Surf City on Long Beach Island following a replenishment project in 2006 and 2007.