PERIL PROM DRIFTING MINES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 58, 1 December 1917, Page 10

PERIL PROM DRIFTING MINES

500 WASHED ASHORE ON JUTLAND. Some idea of the extent to which mines break loose is given by figures published by the Dutch and Danish Governments. In two years more than 500 mines drifted ashore on the shores of Jutland. Up to March 1, 1915, according to the Dutch figures, 487 had been washed up on ffie shores of Holland, and by the end of the following twelve months 'the total had risen to 918.' Those wero officially classified as follows:—4B4 British, 58 French, 175 German, 201 unknown.

All British and 'French mines' says Mr, H. C. Fcrrabv, in the "Windsor Magazine," are clearly marked with' tho country of their 'origin, bo flint tho inference is that the "unknown" 201 wcro Gorman. The Dutch Governmenii, being neutral, carefully, avoided indicating in any way which^ l ' the mines were harmless and which were still "alive," but it was known in diplomatic circles that, Very few oT the German mines were dead. ■ 'Again, the Norwegian Government has drawn the attention to the fact that many minos break away from tho waters round Heligoland and drift as far. as the Norwegian coast, and since the British -Navy has not laid any mines in /the bight, it is obvious that those wandering* assassins must all be of German origin. It is not onlv (single mines that break loose. In March of last year the 'Swedish Government issued _ a warning that several hundred mines had become detached from thoir anchorage near Karlscrona, in the Bnltic, and were drifting about, to the constant peril nf shipping. Again, in the past winter Sweden had tn issue a warning that a whole, minefield had broken loose in tho Baltic, _ and to warn ships' not to proceed until an effort had- been mado to sweep the waters into which ithc mines were drifting. The Arctic has been strewn with loose ■ mines rnoro than once by German submarines, and anvbody who knows tho ■ currents of tho sea will realise how far those engines of destruction may bo carried.