RUSSIAN MINES A MENACE

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 August 1948, Page 5

RUSSIAN MINES A MENACE

(N.Z.P.A.—Copyright.) Reed. 8.15 p.m. Vancouver, Aug. 2. Stray Russian mines are menacing shipping off the British Columbia coast. The Pacific current, running in an easterly direction, and coastal tides are said to be responsible for carrying the mines to this side of the ocean. The story was based on reports from fishermen arriving from the west coast of Vancouver Island. The mines are triggered by delicate detonating apparatus. The fishermen contend that the mines do not conform with any known type of Japanese mine, and are "definitely a Russian weapon.’ The detonators are said to be secret and dangerous to handle. , Marine underwriters said an average of 2.3 mines a day had been reported in Pacific coastal waters during the last three months. In United States and British Columbian waters 137 mines had been sighted since April 20. The “News Herald” says Russia is the only country in the world to keep its harbours mined. The Japanese current, starting »in Russian waters, sweeps south through Japanese waters across the South Pacific, up the west coast of the United States, and along the British Columbia coastline.