Carla La Tella
Travel Trouble

"I couldn't believe what it was": Incredible backyard find

Image: Nine News 

A backyard clean up in a quiet coastal Victorian community led to the discovery of a huge sea mine dating back to World War II.

The 250kg explosive was found on a Barwon Heads property earlier this month and has been handed to antique dealer Ian Royce.

Mr Royce claims the bomb’s discovery came as a big surprise.

“I couldn’t believe what it was and how bizarre to find it in a backyard,” he said.

“It’s very unusual to find one now reasonably intact.”

He managed to transfer it to his North Geelong antiques store on the back of his ute.

“I was so determined to get it on.”

Mr Royce Explained sea mines, like the one found were chained to the bottom of the ocean during the war.

“They had little spines. If a ship even touched one of those mines it was full of TNT and would blow a hole in the side of any of those ships,” he said.

After the war, many of those bombs were decommissioned and re-purposed as backyard incinerators.

“In those days, there was no green bin, you’d burn all green rubbish in your backyard.”

Mr Royce has listed the sea mine for sale for $1200, however the last one he sold went for $3000.

Tags:
Antique, vintage, Travel trouble, backyard, world war II