MAGNETIC MINES
NAZI SEA WEAPON PARTS SHOW 1938 DATE LAYING AND CONTROL BRITISH INVESTIGATIONS (Elec. Tol. Copyright—-United Pri/ss Assn.) (Reed. March 2, noon.) LONDON, March. 1. A highly-placed official has revealed that parts of German magnetic mines which the navy has taken to pieces' bear the date 1938. The mines are entirely constructed' of non-magnetic aluminium and are fitted with an impact detonator outside enabling the mine to be used like a bomb, thus ensuring an explosion if it hits the deck of a ship. The impact detonator is not very sensitive and for this reason the mine does not explode when it strikes the water. A parachute attached also arrests its speed. There is another detonator inside where springs hold a pivoted magnet horizontal. When a magnetic body such as a ship passes sufficiently close the magnet’s ends are drawn up, making contact and firing. 7001 b. of explosive. The magnetic mines have mostly been dropped from seaplanes. It is not considered they are effective beyond 50 fathoms. In contrast to moored mines they will lie on the bottom, their effectiveness depending on the degree of sensitivity at which they are set and also the size of the ships which must pass directly overhead.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20186, 2 March 1940, Page 5
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205MAGNETIC MINES Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20186, 2 March 1940, Page 5
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