World War II Explosive Forces Cape May Canal Shutdown

CAPE MAY, NJ — An explosive from World War II was discovered in the Cape May Canal, forcing an overnight closure of the waterway, officials said.

The unexploded ordnance was found during low tide late Monday, according to the Cape May - Lewes Ferry, which provides daily service across the Delaware Bay.

"As a safety precaution, the United States Coast Guard closed the waterway until daylight," officials said.

It forced the MV Delaware, with 70 passengers aboard, to turn around to the Lewes Terminal for the night.

A bomb squad from Atlantic City neutralized the ordnance, and services resumed at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The Cape May Canal is a man-made waterway connecting Cape May Harbor to the Delaware Bay. It was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. Its goal was to allow coastal shipping to travel along the coast with a reduced risk of attack from German U-boats.