FLOATING MINES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLX, Issue 22028, 30 July 1941, Page 4

FLOATING MINES

Ten Sunk In Two Hours Others Washed Ashore (P.A.) AUCKLAND, July 29. Carried into the Hauraki Gulf by heavy northerly weather, numbers Of floating mines were sighted and sunk by the Naval authorities at the Weekend. Others went ashofe oh Great Barrier Island. The master of the Auckland fishing launch. Waipawa, which returned from the fishing grounds to-day stated that he had reported the prfesehee of three mines between Great Barrier Island and Little Barrier on Saturday.

The launch’s master, Captain George Marks, said that when the seine net was being set about 10.30 o’clock on Saturday morning an object which appeared to be a mine Was sighted about a quarter of a mile away. When the Waipawa approached to within about 100 yards it was identified as a floating mine. In view of the posslbihty of sunken mines ih the vicinity the fishing gear Was shipped again, and when a closer examination was being made a second mine was seen about a quarter of a mile distant. As the Waipawa did not have sufficient equipment tb buoy both mines one buoy was Sub between the two and the launch ien proceeded towards Port Fitzroy on Gtfeat Barrier Island. On the journey a third mine was sighted about 200 yards from Wellington Hc&ds foom Port Fitzroy the naval authorities were advised by telephone Of the bearihgs of the three mines and, acting on instructions, the Waipawa put to sea to stand by. Before the mines Were reached, minesweepers Were in the vicinity and, according to Captain Marks, had already slink seven inines in that locality. Tlie remaining three Wfeta ■ suhk by small. ftrifift fife, 10 haVihg bfefen dispOSfej bf ih ateut two hours.