‘Really blew my mind’: Diver finds suspected WWII torpedo off Fort Pierce beach
FORT PIERCE, Fla. —
A diver’s search for lobster off Fort Pierce beach last month led to the discovery of a suspected World War II-era torpedo, prompting a controlled detonation by the U.S. Navy.
Luke Neiman, who was diving with his father and a friend just south of the jetty, described where he was when he made the discovery.
“So, I was like right around about right there where that big condo is right there just past that,” Neiman said.
He explained how he realized the object was unusual.
“I couldn’t really make out what it was, but I just knew it wasn’t a reef, and I was kind of inspecting it, looking at it,” Neiman said. “I’m like, this just looks different, you know, and then before I knew it, I’m like, this is a torpedo, because I could make out the end of it and it had a cone nose.”
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Neiman returned to the boat, told his father to mark the spot, and contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The FWC then alerted the U.S. Coast Guard, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad, and the U.S. Navy.
On Tuesday afternoon, Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel conducted a controlled underwater detonation at the site. Officials confirmed the operation in a statement, saying, “Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel conducted a routine underwater ordnance disposal operation Sept. 15, 2026, in the waters off St. Lucie County.”
The Navy identified the object as a suspected World War II-era munition.
Reflecting on the discovery, Neiman said, “Yeah, it just really blew my mind literally that I found a torpedo down here right where I catch a bunch of lobster and stuff!”
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