WW2 mines in NZ

[kaskowiski]

4 WW2 mines found off the coast of Auckland NZ this week - The following article from the NZ Herald



Four World War II mines have been discovered on the seabed during a Navy exercise in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf this week.
Two were discovered during a routine Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) operation conducted by the US Navy as part of the international Mine Countermeasures Exercise hosted by the Royal New Zealand Navy.
The discovery was confirmed by a New Zealand navy dive team.
Two more mines were discovered by a Royal Australian Navy AUV team and later confirmed by Japan's dive team.
The four mines were originally laid as part of a controlled defensive minefield in September 1942.
Seven loops totalling 16 mines were laid as part of a larger defensive manoeuvre which saw 1391 friendly mines laid in 10 harbours across New Zealand.
At the end of the war most mines were disposed of using mine sweepers, however some 50 sank to the bottom, irrecoverable until new technology was available.
The Navy advises that due to their age and condition any remaining World War II mines are unlikely to be dangerous.
However, they recommend caution if divers find one. It is recommended that any discovery be reported to the Harbourmaster or Royal New Zealand Navy.
- [URL="http://www.apnz.co.nz/"]APNZ


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[kahu1]

Also,

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/world-war-2-mines-found-off-auckland-video-5860374

 

[kaskowiski]

I was kinda hoping they were EC Mines from Aucklands 1880s minefield but alas.

 

[kahu1]

I was kinda hoping they were EC Mines from Aucklands 1880s minefield but alas.

Like the ones in those days ,when they went to renew or replace them, they would have a public detonation, people would picnic on the beaches and watch the show!

 

[kaskowiski]

yep those are the ones -Loaded with wet gun cotton
I have been researching them for the past five years and have found a few survivors in the process.

 

[AMMOTECHXT]

I remember a newspaper article from the early / mid 1970s saying that 17 WW2 sea mines were found in a cave on the island of Jersey. The article said they had drifted inside due to water currents.!!!!