CHAPTER FOUR
The Supply of Mines
In the same past six months other preparations, too, had been pushing ahead, both at home and abroad. Providing the mines—the task of our Naval Bureau of Ordnance—would alone make a story of great interest. Considering how long it had taken to develop previous types of mines, to have made a success of an invention that was new since our entering the war was indeed remarkable, the more so from inability to test a single mine complete before ordering 100,000.
A Mine in Mid-Air, Being Hoisted in.
The Plummet is at the Lower Left Corner.
Mines for the open sea in great numbers, moored “flying”—that is, by ships steaming at considerable speed—need anchors with automatic depth regulation. Such mechanism had undergone important changes during the war, and the new American mines needed all the improvements, to make them sure to plant at the intended level. They were to be much deeper than ever attempted before, and also in deeper water.
Launching a Mine Through the Stern Port.
There is a Nine-Foot Drop, from Rails to Water.
Three British officers of considerable mine experience assisted here, Lieut. Commander H. O. Mock, R.N.R., Lieutenant R. H. DeSalis, R.N., and Lieut. Commander Harold Isherwood, R.N.V.R. The last was an expert designer, and had an important part in planning our new mine anchor, which was similar to a late model British mine anchor.