A TEAM of Royal Navy bomb disposal experts are moving into position today to neutralise the unexploded 250lb American WWII bomb that was found in Falmouth Bay earlier this month.

The device was discovered in the bay on Monday, September 21. A large-scale evacuation of more than 336 households was executed while the device was being moved on Wednesday, September 23.

A ship moving away from Pendennis Point with smoke rising from it
A ship moving away from Pendennis Point suspected to be carrying the unexploded WWII bomb (Phoebe Mitchell)

A crowd watched on as the bomb disposal team moved the device accompanied by guard boats.

To ensure the ordnance was safe the device was left to settle for six days.

Cornwall Council stated the device would be disposed of in deep water and “well out at sea, so there will be nothing to see or hear from the shore.”

Commanding Officer of the Bravo Squadron, LT Cdr Ben Brown, said: “Following detailed assessment last week, the duty crew from Bravo Squadron successfully lifted the ordnance from the seabed and towed it to a pre-designated area at sea which had been cleared as a suitable site for disposal.

“A small team of Royal Navy bomb disposal experts will dive down to inspect the unexploded WWII bomb on Tuesday, September 29, attach a small charge, and conduct a small, controlled explosion to neutralise the device.

“Whilst this type of historic ordnance was unusual in that it was American, my team trains to deal with different unexploded devices every day, tackling each on a case-by-case basis.”

The team are expected to be on the scene setting up for this shortly.