I thought that once a contact mine, ie a mine with Hertz Horns, was deployed, it had to be destroyed when a minefield was swept clean. However, reading an excellent article which contains Admiralty reports, there is a suggestion that contact mines could be recovered. These reports are remarking on the maintenance of the contact minefields, and dealing with those mines which broke adrift
January 1941, 26th. During the month 12 mines broke adrift from West Lamma Minefield, 3 broke adrift from North Lantau Minefield. Recovered 10, Exploded ashore 2, Lost – Sunk by rifle 2. Total 14 Boom Defence
February 1941, 11thd. 7 mines broke away from West Lamma Minefield 4 mines broke adrift from North Lantau Minefield. Recovered 10, Exploded ashore 1. Total 11
See web page http://indicatorloops.com/hongkong.htm
About a third of the way down.
OK, you know what I’m gonna ask, how did they recover the contact mines?
Recovering a contact mine for reuse
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Re: Recovering a contact mine for reuse
Carefully?
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Re: Recovering a contact mine for reuse
This thread is duplicated at navweaps, where it is stated that moored mines had a safety switch which disarmed the mine when tension on the mooring cable disappeared. It also states that one problem with that was if the mine was in the water a long time this assembly would become corroded and might not work anymore.