PORT TOWNSEND — A brick-shaped package that was found at North Beach on Monday morning does not contain an explosive material, the Navy said Wednesday.
The State Patrol picked up a package of what was thought to be C-4 plastic explosive marked with a serial number that indicated it belonged to the military and gave it to the Navy to examine.
“[The Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit] did an examination of the package and determined it was not an explosive of any type,” said Sheila Murray, Navy public affairs spokeswoman.
“The markings were not authentic, and the package is not, I repeat, not explosive material.”
Murray said she was unsure what the substance inside the package was.
Given to Navy
The State Patrol gave the package to the Navy on Monday afternoon, said Trooper Krista Hedstrom, State Patrol spokeswoman.
The State Patrol’s bomb squad took the mystery brick from the shoreline off North Beach on Monday morning.
“We got the call at 7:09 a.m.,” Hedstrom said. “Someone spotted it on the shore during low tide and called the Port Townsend police, who evacuated the beach.
“From there, our bomb squad came in and took it away.”
Hedstrom said the package appeared to be from the military when it was briefly examined by the bomb squad.
“It had all the indications that it was an explosive,” she said. “It’s news to us here [that it is not an explosive], but that is up to the Navy to determine.”
Hedstrom said that even though the package wasn’t an explosive, the reporting parties took the correct action.
“Whoever called it in absolutely did the right thing,” Hedstrom said.
“What if it was C-4, and something had happened? If you see something suspicious, call 9-1-1.”
C-4 is one variety of plastic explosive. A plastic explosive can’t be set off without a detonator.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
