Man Reels in WWII-Era Grenade While Magnet Fishing, Prompting Bomb Squad to Evacuate Busy Rhode Island Pier

A routine afternoon of magnet fishing in Rhode Island took an unexpected turn for 35-year-old Gerard Perreault, who inadvertently unearthed a relic from World War II. While exploring Rocky Point State Park in Warwick, Perreault managed to pull a Mk 2 hand grenade—commonly known as a “pineapple grenade”—from the water, an event that prompted a rapid response from local authorities.

Perreault had only begun practicing this hobby a few weeks prior and was primarily accustomed to retrieving scrap metal and bottle caps. However, as he recounted later, the discovery of the grenade was completely unanticipated. “I was pretty surprised when I pulled that up,” he remarked to The Providence Journal.

As the nature of the object dawned on him, Perreault quickly recognised the need for caution. Feeling that the grenade might still pose a risk, he reported his find to the Warwick Police Department. Their response involved alerting the Rhode Island Bomb Squad, which quickly arrived on the scene.

Upon their arrival, authorities proceeded to evacuate the fishing pier, which was crowded with onlookers including families and other fishing enthusiasts. “It was very, very crowded,” Perreault commented, adding that he felt a bit guilty about the sudden disruption caused by his discovery.

Once the area was secured, bomb squad technicians conducted an x-ray of the corroded grenade. Their examination confirmed that the device was inert, posing no immediate danger to the public. Deputy Thomas Groff, commander of the Explosive Operations Division for the Rhode Island Office of the State Fire Marshal, identified the grenade as a model frequently used by U.S. forces during the Second World War.

Instances of historical military explosives being found in unexpected places are not entirely uncommon, with beachgoers and home renovators occasionally stumbling upon such items. However, Deputy Groff noted that the origin of this particular grenade remains a mystery as to how it came to be submerged in the waters near the pier.

While the day took an exhilarating and nerve-wracking turn, Perreault has expressed his continued enthusiasm for magnet fishing. Prior to this incident, his typical finds were generally less thrilling, mostly consisting of trash and small debris. He finds satisfaction in cleaning up the local waterways, stating, “Even if it’s junk, it’s good to get it out of the water.”

Despite the excitement of the day, which was certainly beyond what he could have imagined, Perreault is now seeking new locations for his hobby. In light of the incident, officials have advised him to refrain from fishing in that specific area in the future. “They did ask me not to fish in that area anymore,” he explained with a hint of humour.

As he looks to continue his magnet fishing adventures elsewhere, the story serves as a reminder of the sometimes unexpected history lurking beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary surroundings—and the importance of being cautious when uncovering buried relics of the past.