"D.G." FITTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 59, 9 March 1940, Page 13

"D.G." FITTING

BRITISH VESSELS

ANSWER TO MAGNETIC MINE

SUCCESS CLAIMED

(By Teiegrßpn--Press association —CopyrigbW

(Received March 9, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 8. Mr. Winston Churchill's recent claim that the German magnetic mine had been largely mastered has been explained now that the Queen Elizabeth has arrived safely in New York. Pictures of her arrival show a cable passing round her hull somewhere above waterline. This is to protect her against magnetic mines, and in addition to the Queen Elizabeth, hundreds of other ships have been equipped with similar apparatus.

The fitting is known as "D.G.," and it took scientists and Admiralty experts about three months to develop the apparatus. The cost is comparatively small. Details of the circuit are secret, but its effect is virtually to convert an iron ship into a wooden one, and prevent it from detonating magnetic mines. It is not yet claimed that the new apparatus completely defeats the magnetic mine, but the fact is that none of the ships fitted have been damaged by such mines. The men | working on the invention say theyj are prepared to take "D.G." shipsj over a magnetic minefield. I

(British Official Wireless.) (Received March 9, noon.) RUGBY, March 8. With the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth, in New York details have been disclosed in London of a newly-evolved method of demagnetising any type of vessel and thus rendering it innocuous to magnetic mines. The De-Gaussing apparatus, the answer to magnetic mines, was evolved and perfected in some three months, and the time it takes to fit a ship with it varies according to the ship, between a day and 20 days, although experts consider that any ships, under pressure, could be so treated within four days. Details of how the circuit is energised are being kept secret, but the effect is virtually to turn the vessel Into a wooden ship. Relative to the cost of the ship the De-Gaussihg equipment is very cheap, and it is considered likely that eventually all British ships will be so fitted.