Table of Contents
How did Ships detect U boats?
The introduction of seaborne radar which could enable the detection of surfaced U-boats. Airborne radar. The Leigh light airborne searchlight, in conjunction with airborne radar to surprise and attack enemy submarines on the surface at night.
How does a minesweeper clear mines?
They were usually small wooden-hulled vessels, often converted trawlers, specially equipped to ”sweep” anchored mines by cutting their mooring ropes or chains, permitting the mines to float to the surface where they could be destroyed by gunfire.
What are underwater mines used for?
Naval mines can be used offensively—to hamper enemy shipping movements or lock vessels into a harbour; or defensively—to protect friendly vessels and create “safe” zones.
When were sea mines used?
From the mid-19th century, sea mines were used by the Russians in the Baltic, the Americans in their Civil War 1861-1865, and during the Crimean 1853-1856 and Russo-Turkish Wars 1877-1878. Development continued into the 20th century during the Boxer Rebellion 1899-1901 and the Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905.
How did they sweep mines in ww2?
How did mines get on a submarine?
There were basically two types of mine-laying submarines. Some, like the British “Porpoise” class carried the mines in longitudinal tubes between the deck and the pressure hull, running either side of the conning tower (sail). A chain drive was used to pull the mines to hatch at the rear of the tube, from where the mine dropped to the seabed.
How were mines laid in WW2?
At the start of World War 2 mine-laying was only done by specialist submarines, who deployed the same types of mines as surface ships. There were basically two types of mine-laying submarines.
Which country had the best submarines in WW2?
It is widely regarded that during World War 2 that the Germans had the best submarines, with one of their best regarded as the Type XXI submarine. These submarines are regarded as the first real modern submarines to be used in combat. Unfortunately for the Germans, these subs were produced too late in the war to have any real effect.
In the interwar years the United States Navy developed a prototype minelayer called USS Argonaut, SS-161. It was the largest submarine ever built for the USN before the advent of nuclear propulsion. Argonaut had two mine deployment tubes in the stern and stowage for 60 mines.