Royal Navy Divers Blow Up 750-Pound WWII Mine
Royal Navy bomb disposal specialists lately detonated a huge WWII-era mine trawled up by anglers in the Firth of Clyde.
The group from Northern Diving Group, based at Faslane, entered into activity after the war time tool– laid by a German submarine off the island of Ailsa Craig– was recuperated.
The trawler’s 7 staff were left by the RNLI Troon Lifeboat and also Rothesay Coastguard Rescue Team, and also the vessel was cruised to Ettrick Bay on the Isle of Bute to consult with EOD scuba divers. They proclaimed the mine, which still included around 750 extra pounds of nitroglycerins, to be in excellent problem and also chose a regulated ignition mixed-up was the very best service.
They collaborated the decreasing of the ordnance to the seabed off Ettrick Beach, prior to a regulated surge sent it– and also mud and also water– high airborne.
The wartime mine – and also fish – on the deck of the trawler (Royal Navy)
“Considering it had been in the water for around 80 years, the mine’s condition was remarkable,” stated Lieutenant Commander Mark Shaw, Commanding Officer ofNorthern Diving Group “From the initial pictures we were able to easily identify the mine type and, importantly, determine that the explosive fill was intact and therefore presented a significant hazard. The vessel was diverted to Ettrick Bay and met by my team, led by Petty Officer (Diver) Robert McCann who safely dealt with the situation.”
“Items of this size are relatively uncommon, however, the group are approaching 100 call-outs this year supporting civil authorities with all types of Explosive Ordnance Disposal, ranging from mines and torpedoes to hand grenades and improvised devices,” Lt. Cmdr. Shaw added. “On average, across the UK, Royal Navy Clearance Divers are tasked once a day for EOD assistance. This highlights the remaining presence of historic ordnance. Even small items can be unstable and present an explosive hazard; carrying-out a controlled explosion is the only safe way of dealing with them and neutralising the hazard.”
The point of views shared here are the writer’s and also not always those of The Maritime Executive.
