WW1 American Z Sea Mines

[Dronic69]

Hi All,

Does anyone have a picture or diagram of an American WW1 Z Sea mine?

I have heard and therefore would like to verify if there was a Copper ball float attached to these?

Thanks

Cheers
Drew

 

[HAZORD]

I've seen it described on the internet as having a copper float. because it needed to touch the ship to complete the electrical circuit. Here are a couple of graphics. The Mk. 6 used a"K pistol" with copper float and copper plates as shown here:

http://www.hartshorn.us/Navy/navy-mines-01.htm

Not sure if your "Z" mine is the same as the Mk. 6, but the Mk. 6 was used in WWI up until the 70's or 1985 depending on who you believe. The Mod 14 of the MK. 6 that was released in 1955 didn't have the antenna.

If you search under Mk. 6 mine "K" pistol, you find this description of U.S. mines and basically the same diagram of the circuit:

http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WAMUS_Mines.htm

 

[Dronic69]

Hi Hazord,

Thanks for the information - there's a "float" that's cropped up as shown below - it is all copper and has a plague stating that it was off an American Z mine in 1919.

Perhaps this is an earlier varity to the one shown in the diagram which looks more elongated than spherical.

No markings at all except for the shield with the inscription.

Thoughts?

Thanks

Cheers
Drew

 

[HAZORD]

Drew,

I haven't seen that shape before. The Mk. 5 mine was supposed to have been the first model. The Mk. 6 was started at least as early as 1917, and was produced in large quantities in WWI. There is no mention in any record that I saw of a "Z" mine.

Some of our Navy EOD members might know more.

 

[Dronic69]

Hi Hazord,

The closest I could find relating to a US Sea mine are these:

http://www.hnsa.org/doc/mineid/pg043.htm

or

http://www.hnsa.org/doc/mineid/pg044.htm

I'm now wondering if it is from a US sea mine?

Which other countries also use the copper float mechanism?

Yes hopefully some of the navy EOD members may be able to ID it?

Thanks

Cheers
Drew

 

[HAZORD]

Part of the material I saw said that a number of countries copied the U.S. design. It was fairly simple.

 

[Dronic69]

Here are some better shots of it and the shield with the inscription...
Cheers
Drew