An event of fascination and trepidation. More than 100 people evacuated, roads blocked, and the beach condoned off for an orchestrated explosion on the sand.
A round of applause and a sigh of relief after a spectacular site. Hundreds of onlookers watch as Pass-A-Grille goes boom after a World War II ordnance washes up on the beach.
"It's a long metal, metallic cylinder and they usually have a cover."
Ray Arsenault, a professor at the University of South Florida who specializes in war history, says the object was an M122, otherwise known as a flash bomb.
During the 1940s, the military would run maneuvers on Fort DeSoto.
"It was a very isolated area, they could cordon it off and use it as a testing ground. It was submerged. It was in the sand. Something dislodged it. It was full of barnacles," said Arsenault.
Also fascinating is that the flash bomb was still live after 70 years. Arsenault says it's a testament to the quality of construction, and they played a huge roll in U.S. military supremacy.
"These were dangerous pieces of equipment, but they were essential to night reconnaissance. They couldn't have done it without them. That's they way they survived and it's what paved the way for the Marines to make the landing that they did," said Arsenault.
LEARN MORE:Details on the M122 flash bomb
Historians say whether it was the Civil War, World War i or II, there was a lot of military activity off our shores, so don't be surprised if something else weird washes ashore.
More coverage of the device and detonation:
