HARPSWELL — A suspicious object discovered 12 miles off the coast of Harpswell on Monday turned out to be a military ballistic projectile.

The object, later reported to be a live U.S. Navy ordnance from the World War II era, had been caught in the gear of a fishing vessel and was pulled aboard and placed on the docks of the Bailey Island Lobster Wharf. Deputies from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office responded at 3 p.m. Monday.

The U.S. Navy and Maine State Police Bomb Squad were informed of the discovery. Explosive experts removed the projectile, which was detonated in an area sand pit.