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USAMines

UnitedStatesofAmerica
Mines
Updated18September2014

Information
.
EarlyHistory
Possiblythefirstwatermineintheworldwithatargetfiredtrigger(asopposedtoearlieroneswhichhadsimple,slow
burningfuzes)wasinventedbyDavidBushnell,themanwhoismostfamousforinventingaonemansubmersible,the
Turtle.LiketheTurtle,theseseamineswereunsuccessfulwhentheywereusedagainsttheBritishfleetin
PhiladelphiaduringJanuary1778,althoughtheresulting"BattleoftheKegs"didcauseafewcasualtiesandinspireda
wellknownRevolutionaryWarpoem.
Formostofthe19thcenturytheUSArmywasresponsibleforthedevelopmentanduseofmines,asmineswere
consideredtobedefensiveweaponsthatwereusefulforprotectingharborsandcoastalwaters.TheConfederateNavy
usedmines,ortorpedoes,astheywerethencalled,quiteextensivelyduringtheAmericanCivilWar,andsank
approximately27Federalvesselsanddamagedmanymore.Bycomparison,onlynineFederalvesselsweresunkby
gunfire.ManydifferentkindsofmineswereusedbytheConfederates,withoneofthemosteffectivebeingtheframe
torpedo,whichwasalargenosefuzedartilleryshellthatwasmountedonawoodenframeandlocatedwhereaship
mightstrikeit.
Notuntillateinthe19thcenturydidtheNavystarttotakeanyinterestintheseweapons,butnonewereusedduring
theSpanishAmericanWarof1898anditwasnotuntiltheRussoJapaneseWarof1905thatthisinterestbecame
serious.Duringthatwar,bothImperialRussiaandJapanhadsomesuccesswiththeirnavalmines,whichprompted
theUSNavytoaskCongressforfundsforaminedepotship.TheoldcruiserUSSSanFrancisco(C5)wasconverted
in1912andshebecamethefirstminewarfareshipintheUSNavy.
ThefirstminesprocuredbytheNavywereoriginallycalled"NavalDefenseMines"andwereeitherpurchasedfrom
EuropeanpowersorwerecopiesofEuropeandesigns.Progressonmineswasconsideredsatisfactorypriortothe
startofWorldWarI,butwiththeUSentryintothewaritwasdiscoveredthatBritishminesofthesamegeneraltypes
hadprovedunreliable.BureauofOrdnancereportsof1917declaredthatthestatusofminingintheUSNwiththese
NavalDefenseMineswas"veryunsatisfactory"andrecommendeddevelopmentofnewtypes,whichledtotheMark5
contactmineandtheMark6antennamine.
TheseNavalDefenseMineswerealldeclaredobsoletein1930andremovedfrominventory.Noneofthesedesigns
wereverysuccessful,soperhapsitissurprisingthatittooksolongtotakethemoutofservice.

TriggeringandFuzes
ThefirstUSAdesignedmine,theMark5,wasofthe"Horned"type.Hornsweremadeofsoftmetalsuchasleadand
heldaglassampoulecontainingbatteryacid,usuallypotassiumbichromate.Thelowerendofthehorncontainedan
electricbatteryminustheelectrolyte.Contactwiththehornbrokeopentheacidcontainer,energizingthebatterywhich
thenheatedaplatinumwireinamercuryfulminatedetonator,thusexplodingthemine.Bydefinition,thiswasa
weaponwithlimitedrangeandfieldsneededtobedenselypackedinorderforittobeeffectiveagainstshipping.
However,suchcloselaidfieldsrantheriskofoneminesettingoffadjacentminesasfraternalkills.

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The"Kpistol"oftheMark6usedacopperantennawhichextendedupwardstojustbelowthesurface.Thiswas
connectedbyarelaytoacopperplateontheoutsideofthemine.Seawateractedastheelectrolyteofabatterywhich
wouldbeformedwhenashipwithasteelhullapproachedandtouchedtheantenna.Thecurrentrunningdownthe
antennaoperatedtherelayandexplodedthemine.Thismethodallowedeachminetocoverawiderarea,meaning
thatfewerminescouldbeusedtocoveragivenareathanwiththehorntype.Inmodernterms,the"K"device
exploitedtheUnderwaterElectricPotential(UEP)effect.

Magnetictriggerswereoriginallyonlyusedonground(bottom)mines.Thisisbecause,iftheyweremoored,the
changingofthemagneticfieldastheyroseandfellwiththetidewouldsetthemoff.NeartheendofWorldWarII,a
triggerthatmeasuredthetotalfieldaroundtheminewasdeveloped.Thisdeviceaddedupthefieldsinsuchawaythat
thetidesdidnotaffectit.
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Acousticminesmeasuresoundofcertainfrequencies,usuallythoseofpropeller,engineandsonarnoises.
Pressuredetectorfuzesmeasurethepressurewavecreatedbyashipmovingthroughthewater.Thesewere
simultaneouslydevelopedbybothGermanyandtheUSAduringWorldWarII,butbothheldoffdeployingthemforfear
thatthetechnologywouldbecapturedbytheotherside.TheywerefirstusedincombatofftheNormandybeaches
andwereheavilyusedagainsttheJapanesehomeislandsneartheendofthewar.

MinelayersofWorldWarII
Mineoutfitsasgivenin"USWarshipsofWorldWarII"byPaulSilverman.Othersourcesdiffer,butIbelievethatthese
arethe"official"numbers.
USSTerrorCM5carried800mines
USSGambleDM15class(exflushdeckers)carried80mines
USSRobertH.SmithDM23class(exAllenSumners)carried100mines
USSArgonautSS166carried80mines
TherewerealsosomeexmercantilesandformerArmy"mineplanters"listed,butnomineoutfitnumbersaregivenfor
theseships.However,USSSalemCM11isrecordedashavinglaid202minesoffCasablancaon27and28
December1942.USSArgonautSS166wasconvertedtoatransportsubmarineimmediatelyfollowingtheattackon
PearlHarborandapparentlyneverlaidamineundercombatconditions.
Thewidelyusedandlonglived(1917toca.1985)Mark6"Kpistol"minewasrelativelyeasytodeployanddidnot
requirespecializedminelayers.SeethepicturebelowofUSSUteATF6(atug)beingusedtolaunchoneofthese
mines.Thiseaseofusebynonspecializedmineshipsisoneofthereasonsthatthereweresofewdedicatedmine
layersintheUSNandwhymanyofthesmallercoastalminelayerswereconvertedforotherduties.
Conventionalsubmarineswerealsousedasminelayers.In1943,theycouldcarryelevenMark10orMark12minesin
placeofthreetorpedoesandmanyminiminefieldswerelaidasaresult,somequiteeffectively.Butthemostcommon
minelayersduringWorldWarIIwereaircraft.
AfterWorldWarII,aircrafthavebeenthepredominantUSminelayers,asshowninthetablesbelow.Thereareafew
submarinelaunchedminesintheinventory,withatleastonenewone,ISLMM(seebelow)currentlyunder
development.
.

MiningduringWorldWarIandWorldWarII
.

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USMinelayersintheNorthSeain1918
U.S.NavalHistoricalCenterPhotograph#NH41736

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MapoftheNorthSeaMineBarrage
From"TheVictoryatSea"byW.S.Sims

MiningduringWorldWarI
UnitedStatesshipsplanted56,611minesandtheBritishlaidanadditional16,300aspartoftheNorthSeaMine
Barrage.ThesesankatleastsixUboatsanddamagedanotherhalfdozenseriouslyenoughthattheywereforcedto
returntobase.Ithasbeensuggestedthatthecost/benefitratiooftheBarragewasgrosslyinfavoroftheGermans.

MiningduringWorldWarII
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On7December1941thetotalsupplyofminesinstockwasapproximatelyasfollows:
ArmyControlledMineforHarborDefenseMoored:5,000
NavyMark5MooredHertzHorn:2,000
NavyMark6MooredAntenna:59,000
NavyMark10MooredHertzHorn(plantedfrom21inchtorpedotube):1,200
NavyMark11MooredAntenna(plantedfrom40inchtubeUSSArgonaut):200
NavyMark12GroundMagnetic(plantedfrom21inchtube):600
NavyMark12GroundMagnetic(plantedbyaircraft):200
Asfarasisknown,noenemyshipwassunkbytheapproximately20,000minesusedindefensiveminefieldsplacedin
USwaters.
USsubmarinesplantedatotalof576Mark12minesand82Mark10minesin36fields.Ofthese,421minesplanted
in21ofthefieldssank27shipsofabout63,000tonsanddamaged27moreofapproximately120,000tons.SeeUS
SubmarineMiningSuccessforotherinformation.
AvengerandVenturaaircraftcouldcarryasinglemineandin1944AvengersclosedPalauharborbyminingthe
entrances.Theythensankall32shipsintheharborwithconventionalbombsandtorpedoes.Atotalofapproximately
100shipsweresunkorbadlydamagedinthePacificduringthewarbymineslaidbyNavyaircraft.
By1945,theArmyAirForcewasdevotingconsiderableresourcestotheminingrole,with80to100B29sbasedat
TinianbeingusedtominethehomewatersaroundJapan.TheseB29scouldcarryseven2,000lbs.(907kg).or
twelve1,000lbs.(454kg)mines.StartinginMarch1945andcontinuinguntilearlyAugust,4,900magnetic,3,500
acoustic,2,900pressureand700lowfrequencymineswerelaid.Theseminessank294shipsoutright,damaged
another137beyondrepairanddamagedafurther239thatcouldberepaired.Incargotonnage,thetotalwas1.4
milliontonswhichwasabout75%oftheshippingavailableinMarch1945.
BetweenJanuaryandMarch1945,B29salsoclosedtheapproachestoSingapore,SaigonandCamranhBayharbors
bymagneticmining.
ThefollowingtableshowsthequantitiesofminesplantedunderUSCommandduringWorldWarII.

PlantingCraft

MakeofMine
UnitedStates

Army,US

TypeofMine

British

Contact

Magnetic

Pressure
Magnetic

7,320

18,884

7,320

3,569

USNavy,Defensive

18,884

18,884

USNavy,Offensive

2,871

2,859

662

USNavy,Aircraft

12

2,871

575

54
182

1,847

2,129

369

2,498

1,007

3,235

3,235

AAF,InnerZone

12,135

4,921

4,255

2,959

12,135

Total

47,712

1,743

25,580

16,011

4,872

2,992

49,455

1,665

182

RAAF

1,944

554

RAF

2,228

RNAAF

268

33

Total

1,397

USArmy,OuterZone

3,751

Acoustic

662

PreWorldWarI
.

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ThesemaybeNavalBlockadeMinesonanunidentifiedUSwarshipabout1909
Captionreads"MinesReadyforDrill"
U.S.NavalHistoricalCenterPhotograph#NHNH101471

NavalBlockadeMine(NoMarkNumber)
Designationassigned1905.Sphericalmooredmine43inches(109cm)indiameter.Usedaninertialexploderofthe
pendulumtype.Totalweight1,265lbs.(574kg)withachargeof250lbs.(113kg)ofwetguncotton.

Mark1
Sphericalmine34inches(86cm)indiameter.Usedaninertialpistol.

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Mark2Mine

Mark2
DesignedbytheFrenchfirmSauterHarle.Sphericalminewithachargeofabout175lbs.(79kg)ofwetguncotton.
Usedcontactinertialexploder.Inserviceabout1909.

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Mark3Mine

Mark3
BritishVickersdesign.Sphericalmineabout30inches(76cm)indiameterwitha120lbs.(54kg)TNTburster.Used
aprotrudingfloatmadeofcork,3feet(0.91m)long,forinertiaignitioncontactwithashipmadetheminerotate
relativetothefloat.Launchedfromtrolleyrails.Productionstartedaround1915andby1917thePortsmouthNavy
Yardwasmanufacturing140oftheseperweekwithplanstorampupproductionto500perweek.

Mark4
SimilartotheMark3butlarger,33inches(84cm)indiameterwitha250lbs.(113kg)TNTburster.
.

WorldWarI
.
Mark5
FirstUSAdesignedmine.MooredtypewithHertzhorns.StillinuseduringWorldWarII.1,700lbs.(771kg)total
weight,chargeof500lbs.(227kg)TNT.

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Mark6Mine

Mark6mineaboardUSSBaltimoreCM1about1920
U.S.NavalHistoricalCenterPhotograph#NH56330

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Mark6mine
ShownbeinglaunchedfromUSSUteATF76inPhilippinewatersin1978

Mark6
SphericalantennatypeusingaKtypepistol,34inches(87cm)indiameter.Thisminewasdesignedspecificallyfor
theNorthSeaMineBarrageofWorldWarI.However,asshownabove,itwasstillbeingusedoperationallyaslateas
1978.On17October1917,theSecretaryoftheNavyauthorizedtheconstructionof100,000minesofthistypeata
costof$40,000,000(40milliondollars).Bytheearlysummer,thesewerebeingproducedatarateof1,000adaywith
apeakof1,500beingproducedinone24hourperiod.Inordertosupportthisrateofmanufacture,theNavybuiltits
ownTNTfactoryatSt.Julien'sCreek,Virginia,capableofproducing300,000lbs.(136,000kg)ofTNTperday.
TheMark6wasverysuccessfulandremainedinUSinventoriesuntilabout1985,makingittheUSA'slongestlived
mine.1,400lbs.(635kg)total,chargeof300lbs.(136kg)TNT.Couldbemooredinwatersupto3,000feet(914m)
deep.Threesafetydeviceswereemployed,oneatimedelay,oneahydrostaticwhichheldaswitchopenuntilthe
minehadsunkseveralfeetunderwaterandthethirdtokeeptheexplosivestepsopenuntiltheminehadreacheda
considerabledepth.Mod2wasarisingtype,Mod3hadaMark9casewitha100foot(30m)lowerantenna.Mod4
hadaMark6casewitha50foot(15m)lowerantenna.AllofthesehadafewHertz(acid)hornsasabackupfiring
mechanism.EarlyunitsusedintheNorthSeaBarragehadreliabilityproblems,with4to8percentfiringshortlyafter
beingplanted.

Mark7
Originally,thisdesignationwasassignedtoamooredmagneticminewhichwasnotdeveloped.Later,itwasassigned
toDriftingMineMark7,whichwasbasedontheKtypepistoloftheMark6.943lbs.(427kg)total,chargeof525lbs.
(238kg)TNT.Mod1wasanoscillatingmine.

Mark8
Surfaceshiplaunchedacousticmine,notinservice.

Mark9
SimilartoMark6withaverysensitivedetonator.Notinservice.
.

BetweentheWars
.
Mark10
Mooredcontactmineforfiringfrom21inch(53.3cm)torpedotubes.Thisprojectwasstartedin1921,haltedforatime,
andthenresumed.1,760lbs.(798kg)total,chargeof300lbs.(136kg).Mod1wascontactfired,Mod2was
cancelled,Mod3wasmagneticandweighed1,800lbs.(816kg)withachargeof420lbs.(190kg)ofTNT.Mod5was
anaircraftdroppedversionofMod2,cancelled.Mod6and8wereparachuteversionsofMod3andwerereplacedby
Mod9,alloftheseweighed1,850lbs.(839kg)withachargeof420lbs.(190kg)ofTNT.Mod7wasMod3modified
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forPTboatlaunch.Mod11wasamooredcontactminespecificallydevelopedfortheUSSArgonautSS475and
weighed1,900lbs.(862kg)withachargeof500lbs.(227kg)TNT.

Mark11Mine

Mark11
KtypepistolminespecificallydevelopedfortheUSSArgonautSS475andweighed1,875lbs.(850kg)withacharge
of500lbs.(227kg)TNT.Argonauthadspecial40inch(102cm)tubesforlaunchingtheseminesandcouldcarry65to
70.However,sheneverlaidanyoftheseduringthewar,asshewasredesignedearlyin1942asacargocarrierand
wassunkin1943bytheJapanese.

Mark12
Submarinelaunchedmine.Cylindricalwithanaluminumcase,thisminewasdevelopedinthe1920sfromGermanS
typemines.Dimensionswere20.8Dx94.25Linches(52.8x239.4cm).Weighed1,445lbs.(655kg)witha1,100lbs.
(499kg)TNTchargeor1,595lbs.(723kg)witha1,250lbs.(567kg)Torpexcharge.Mod1wasparachutemine,Mod
3wasasubmarinetypeandMod4wasareplacementforMod1.SomeoftheseminesweredeliveredtoManilajust
beforethestartofWorldWarII.Theyweredroppedintodeepwatertopreventcapture.
.

WorldWarII
.

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AircraftMinesMark13andMark19
Mark13
Airdroppedminewithmagneticpistol.Didnotuseaparachuteandcouldbeusedasabomb.1,048lbs.(475kg)total
withachargeof640lbs.(290kg)TNTor1,118lbs.(507kg)totalwithachargeof710lbs.(322kg)Torpex.
Mark14
AirdroppedminewithKpistol.Notinservice.

Mark15
Airdroppedgroundminewithacousticpistol.900lbs.(408kg)totalwithachargeof500lbs.(227kg)TNT.19x80
inches(48x203cm).Productionstoppedin1944.

Mark16
NewantennamineintendedtoreplacetheMark6.Total2,040lbs.(925kg)withachargeof600lbs.(272kg)Torpex.
Mod2wasanacousticmine.

Mark17
Submarinelaidgroundminewithmagnetictriggering.Notclearifthiswasactuallyinserviceduringthewar.Total
1,825lbs.(828kg)withachargeof1,375lbs.(624kg)Torpex.Mod1becametheMark25.

Mark18
Asensitivemagneticfuzedgroundminelaidbysurfaceships.Total2,040lbs.(925kg)withachargeof1,350lbs.
(612kg)Torpex.

Mark19
Drifting,oscillatingminelaidbyArmyaircraftwithaC4mechanism.Mod2wasforNavyuse.Total550lbs.(249kg)
withachargeof190lbs.(86kg)Torpex.

Mark20
Controlledmine(triggeredfromshore,coastaldefensetype).Total435lbs.(197kg)withachargeof300lbs.(136kg)
TNT(?).

Mark21
Anassemblyofsealedmechanismsforusewithvariousexplosivecharges.Magneticfuzed,totalweightof27lbs.(12
kg).

Mark22
DefensivegroundmagneticminerequestedbytheMarinesforislanddefense.Abandonedduetochanging
circumstancesandstoppedbytheCNOin1944.UsedanM8mechanism.Total425lbs.(193kg)withachargeof
160lbs.(73kg)TNT.
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Mark23
Antisweepmine.Anchoredwithamooredfloatandasmallexplosivecharge.Total1,125lbs.(510kg)witha2lbs.
(0.9kg)charge(notamisprint).Inservice1944.
Note:Antisweepminesareusuallyscatteredinaminefieldalongwithnormalmooredmines.Antisweepminesare
designedtohaveaverysmallpositivebuoyancy.Whenthewireofaminesweeperhitsthemooringwireoftheanti
sweepmine,theantisweepminewillsinkdownuntilithitsthesweepwire.Theantisweepminewillthendetonate
andcutthesweepingwire,thusendingthesweepingoperation.

Mark24
HomingASWtorpedoalsoknownas"Fido."SeetheMark24underUSAWorldWarIITorpedoesfordetails.

Mark25Mod2mines
AD2SkyraideratPatuxentRiverin1949

Mark25
Aircraftlaidmagneticmine.Mod1hadA5acoustictrigger,Mod2hadA6pressuretriggerandMod3alsohadan
acoustictrigger.Dependingupontheflightgear,thesewere22.4Dx87.293Linches(56.9Dx221.5236Lcm)and
weighed1,9502,000lbs.(885907kg)withachargeof1,274lbs.(578kg)Torpex,HBXorTNT.

Mark26
Aircraftlaidmagneticmine.Itisnotclearhowmuchthesewereusedduringthewar.Total1,0001,072lbs.(454486
kg)withachargeof465lbs.(211kg)TNTor520lbs.(236kg)Torpex.

Mark27
Submarinelaunchedmobilegroundmine.21Dx246Linches(53Dx625cm).Range4,500yards(4,100m)at10.5
knots.Chargeof877lbs.(398kg)Torpex.

Mark28
Sabotagemine.Designnotfinished.Total10lbs.(4.5kg)withachargeof5lbs.(2.2kg).

Mark29
Anexplosivefilledtowedhoseintendedformerchantvessels.About400feet(122m)long.

Mark30
SimilartoMark24butlaunchedbysurfaceships.Projectcancelled.

Mark31
Mooredminecontainingatorpedo.SimilartotheMark28Torpedo(seedetailsintheUSAPostWorldWarIITorpedo
section).
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Mark32
BecameMark32Torpedo.SeedetailsintheUSAPostWorldWarIITorpedosection.

Mark33
BecameMark33Torpedo.SeedetailsintheUSAPostWorldWarIITorpedosection.

Mark34
AnavalizedversionoftheUSArmyBangaloreTorpedo.Wasamooredminelaunchedbysmallcraft.Usedacontact
exploder.Total22lbs.(10kg)witha9lbs.(4kg)amatolcharge.Failedacceptancetestingandwasnotadoptedfor
serviceuse.

Mark35
Landmineforrailroadsabotage.Apparentlydevelopedforspecialoperationsusein1945thesubmarineUSSBarb
SS220landedsaboteurswhoblewupaJapanesetrain.

Mark36Mine
MountedonanA7in1966

Mark36
AnimprovedMark26Mod1withalargerexplosivechargeandaslantednoseforimprovedunderwatertrajectories.
Total1,024lbs.(464.5kg)withTNTchargeof570lbs.(258.5kg)or1,082lbs.(490.8kg)withTorpexchargeof638
lbs.(289.4kg).MagneticfuzedusingaMM2exploder.Basicversionwasacoustic,Mods2wasalowfrequency
acousticandMod3waspressureactivated.

Mark37
SimilartotheMark20butusedaMark7Mod0depthchargecasing.Shorecontrolleddefensivemine.Total738lbs.
(335kg)witha600lbs.(272kg)TNTcharge.InserviceSeptember1944.

Mark38
UniversalASWtorpedo.Nodetailsavailable.

Mark39
Anaircraftlaunchedmagneticmine.Couldbedroppedfromahighaltitudewithoutaparachute.Totalweightof2,000
lbs.(907kg)witha800lbs.(363kg)TNTcharge.Maynothavebeeninserviceuntilafterthewar.

Mark40
PracticemineforMark25.Constructedfromempty100lbs.(45kg)practicebombs.

Mark41
Practicemineforairlaunch.Simulatinga1,000lbs.(454kg)minewithparachutesuchastheMark26.

Marks42and43
Cancelled,nodataavailable.

Mark44
BecametheMark34Torpedo.SeedetailsintheUSAPostWorldWarIITorpedosection.

Mark45
Nodataavailable.

Mark46
Oscillatingcontactmine,similartotheMark19.Nodataavailable.

Mark47
Smallmooredordriftingcontactminelaunchedbysmallboats.CancelledApril1945.

Mark48
Mark27typesubmarinelaunchedbottommine.Couldbeusedasatorpedo.
.
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PostWorldWarII
.

VariousPostWorldWarIIMines

Mark49
Submarinelaunched2,000lbs.(907kg)mine.21Dx120Linches(53.3Dx305Lcm).Couldalsobeairlaunched.

Mark50Mine

Mark50
Aircraftlaunchedacousticgroundmine.SizeofMark82500lbs.(227kg)bomb.

Mark51
Controlledmineforharbordefense.

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Mark52Mine

Mark52
1,000lbs.(454kg)groundmineofnewdesignseries.Mod1acousticfuzed,Mod2magnetic,Mod3combinedpressureand
magnetic,Mod4wasnotissued,Mod5combinedacousticandmagnetic,Mod6combinedacoustic,magneticandpressure.
Allvariantsare18.8Dx70.2Linches(48x178cm).Weightsarerespectively1,130lbs.(513kg),1,170lbs.(531kg),1,190
lbs.(540kg),1,200lbs.(544kg)and1,235lbs.(560kg).Chargeforallwas625lbs.(284kg)HBX1.AllModsuseidentical
minecasesandremovableinstrumentrackssothatthefiringassembliescanbestoredapartfromtheexplosives.

Mark53Mine

Mark53
500lbs.(227kg)sweepobstructor.

Mark54
Noinformationavailable.

Mark55Mine

Mark55MinesonanA7aboardtheUSSCoralSeaCVA43
TheseminesweredroppedaspartoftheHaiphongHarborminingof1972

Mark55
Airlaunched2,000lbs.(907kg)classbottommine.23.4Dx89.9Linches(59Dx228Lcm).Mods1through6correspondto
Mark52Mods1through6exceptfortheweight.Mod7isuniquetotheMark55andusedanimproveddualchannel
magneticfiringmechanism.Weightswererespectively2,039lbs.(925kg),2,110lbs.(957kg),2,120lbs.(962kg),2,119lbs.
(961kg),2,128lbs.(965kg)and2,118lbs.(961kg).

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Mark56Mine

AttachingthewarheadtoaMark56MooredMinewhileotherSailorsinprotectivesuitsworkwiththechemicalsintheanchor
sectionofthedevice
U.S.NavyPhotograph040324N7293M104

Mark56
Airlaunched2,000lbs.(907kg)classmooredmine.22.4Dx114.3Linches(56Dx290Lcm).Actualweight2,135lbs.(968
kg)withachargeof360lbs.(163kg)HBX3.Firstdeployedin1966andstillactiveasof2001.Similartothesubmarine
launchedMark57.Usesa"TotalField"magneticexploder.

Mark57
Submarinelaunchedmagneticmooredmine.21Dx121.1Linches(53Dx308Lcm).Weight2,059lbs.(934kg)withacharge
of340lbs.(154kg)ofHBX3.Canbeminedinwaterupto200fathomsdeep.Fiberglasscasewithasteelanchor.

Mark58
Airlaunchedbottommine.Apparentlynotapprovedforserviceuse.Evaluatedin1962.

Mark59
Mooredmine800lbs.(363kg)withachargeof70lbs.(32kg).Mod2was1,500lbs.(680kg)with100lbs.(45kg)charge.

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Mark60CAPTORMinewithMark46Torpedo
PhotographcourtesyofGoodyearCorporation

Mark60CAPTORMinebeingreadiedforloadingontoaB52GinNovember1989
U.S.A.F.PhotographNo.DFST9011649

Mark60
CAPTOR(encapsulatedtorpedomine).UsesMark46Mod4torpedowithaluminumcase.Canbelaunchedbyaircraft,
surfaceshipsorsubmarines.UsesReliableAcousticPath(RAP)soundpropagationmethodtodetecttargetshipsand
designedtobeusedindeepwater.Firstdeployedin1979andstillactiveasof2001.
Dimensions:
Aircraft/Shiplaid:21x145inches(53x368cm)(includeslengthofparachute)
Submarinelaid:21inchesx132inches(53x335cm)
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Weight:Air/Shiplaid:2,370lbs.(1,077kg)Submarinelaid:2,056lbs.(935kg).

EX61
Advancedmodularwarhead500lbs.(227kg).SupersededDestructorEX41.

LoadingMark62minesaboardaP3COrionPatrolAircraftinJuly2004
U.S.NavyPhotograph040705N1050K001

Mark62
ConversionofMark82[500lbs.(227kg)]bomb.SupersededDestructorEX52.Marks62,63and64areknownasthe
"Quickstrike"seriesandhaveavariableinfluencetargetdesignationsystemthatcanbeusedagainsteitherlandorsea
targets.Quickstrikewasconceivedasanewseriesofgroundmines,replacingtheonesthathadbecomecompromisedasa
resultoftheVietnamWar.Thesenewminesusethesamedesignconceptasdo"smart"bombs,thatis,theyaresimplebolt
onadditionstoastandardairdroppedbomb.Quickstrike'sdesignemphasizeseaseofmaintenanceandeaseofmine
preparationforuse.Forexample,theolderminesrequiredrefrigerationoftheirbatteriestoprolonglife,theQuickstrikesdo
not.

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Mark63"Quickstrike"Mine
USSJohnC.Stennis(CVN74)inNovember2003
U.S.NavyPhotograph031104N1573O036

Mark63
ConversionofMark83[1,000lbs.(454kg)]bomb.SupersededDestructorEX53.

Mark64
ConversionofMark84[2,000lbs.(907kg)]bomb.SupersededDestructorEX54.

Mark65QuickStrikeMinepriortofinalassemblyonGuaminMarch2004
U.S.NavyPhotograph040323N7293M143

Mark65
Thelatestinthe"Quickstrike"series,butthisweaponisnotabombconversionandwasfirstdeployedin1983.
Magnetic/seismic/pressuretargetdetectiondevices(TDDs)areusedonvariousmodels.
Dimensions:29inches(acrossthefins)x128inches(74x325cm)
Weight:2,390pounds(1,086kg)

Mark66
PracticeversionofCAPTOR.
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Mark67
SubmarineLaunchedMobileMine(SLMM)withmagnetic/seismicormagnetic/seismic/pressuretriggers.ConvertedfromMark
37torpedo(seedetailsintheUSAPostWorldWarIITorpedosection).Introducedintoservicein1987.
Dimensions:19x161inches(48.5x409cm)
Weight:1,658lbs.(754kg)
Explosives:510lbs.(230kg)ofhighexplosive.

Mark68
Proposedrocketpropelledmooredrisingmine(PRAM).1,765lbs.(801kg)totalweight.ProjectcancelledinSeptember1978.

Mark69
TrainingshapeforCaliforniaseallionsusedforordnancerecovery.

Mark70
ExerciseandtrainingmineusedforMineMark52.

Mark71
TrainingdeviceusedtoduplicatethetrajectoryofDestructorMark40(seebelow).

Mark72
TrainingdeviceforMineMark56.

Mark73
TrainingdeviceforMineMark53.

Mark74
USNdesignationforBritishVEMS(VersatileExerciseMineSystem).

USNImage
ISLMM(ImprovedSubmarineLaunchedMobileMine)
ThisisajointeffortbetweentheUnitedStatesNavyandtheRoyalAustralianNavyintendedtoreplacetheobsolescentMark
67SLMM(seeabove).TheprogramwouldconvertMark48torpedoesintodualwarheadmobilemines.Eachdualwarhead
wouldbeequippedwiththeTargetDetectionDevice(TDD)Mark71.TheTDDMark71providesadvancedminealgorithmsfor
shipdetection,classificationandlocalizationagainstsomeoftheemergingthreats(i.e.,quietdieselelectricsubmarines,mini
subs,fastpatrolboats,aircushionedvehicles)thatarelikelytobeencounteredinfutureconflicts.TheISLMMwouldretainthe
propulsionandwireguidanceoftheMark48,thusallowingthistorpedo/minetobelaunchedfromaremotelocationandthen
guidedtoitsdestination.Eachwarheadmaybedroppedinaseparatelocation,allowingISLMMtoattacktwoseparate
targets.ISLMMfitsintoanystandard21inch(53.3cm)torpedotubeandmaybelaunchedfromanysubmarinesoequipped.
.

DriftingMines
.
Note
DriftingMineswereintendedtobelaunchedbysurfaceshipsorsubmarinesagainstapursuingenemyship.Mark1
throughMark6weredesignedbetween1915and1925.Mark7wasdesignedin1942.
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Mark1
Totalweightof232lbs.(105kg).16x30.5inches(41x77cm).Couldfloatforonehourusingbuoysuspension.Two
minescouldridethesamebridle.

Mark2
UsedKpistolandM1magneticdevice.UsedMark6casing.

Mark3
Mark6minesuspended35feet(10.7m)belowthesurface.Inservice1923.

Mark4
Firedfrom21inch(53.3cm)torpedotube.UsedK2pistol.About100weremade.

Mark5
Designedspecificallyforthe40inch(102cm)minetubesontheUSSArgonautSS475.UsedamodifiedMark5mine
case.Inservice1924.

Mark6
Shapedlikeadepthchargeandcouldbelaunchedfromthoseracks.700lbs.(318kg)totalweightand362lbs.(164
kg)TNTcharge.

Mark7
SimilartodriftingMark3.523lbs.(237kg)TNTcharge.Mod1oscillatedandwasreplacedbyMineMark19.
Designationassignedin1942.
.

VietnamWar"Destructor"Mines
.

DestructorMines
Destructormines(DST)weredevelopedduringtheVietnamWar.ThesewereMark80seriesGPbombsconvertedto
minesbytheadditionofminetypearming,detectionandfillingsystems.Theydifferfromconventionalseaminesin
thattheycanbeusedagainstlandtargetsaswellasseatargets.TheMark36,40and41Destructorswere
respectivelytheMark82[500lbs.(227kg)],Mark83[1,000lbs.(454kg)]andMark84[2,000lbs.(907kg)]bombs.
Arming,detectionandfiringwerecommontoallthreetypes.
OtherDestructorMarknumberswereassignedtoselfdestructioncharges.TheDestructordesignationforthesebomb
conversionswereprobablyintendedasasecuritycoverforwhatwasasecretprogramduringthewar.
.
Datafrom
"NavalWeaponsofWorldWarTwo"byJohnCampbell
"America'sUseofSeaMines"byRobertC.Duncan,Ph.D.
"USNavalWeapons"and"TheNavalInstituteGuidetoWorldNavalWeaponSystems1991/92"bothbyNormanFriedman
"DamntheTorpedoes:AShortHistoryofU.S.NavalMineCountermeasures,17771991"byTamaraMosereMelia
"USWarshipsofWorldWarII"byPaulSilverstone

USNavyFactFile
USNavyMineWarfarePrograms
USNavyMobileMineGroup

OffSiteResources
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CurrentU.S.NavalMineInventory

PageHistory
30November2008Benchmark
13January2013Added"USMineSuccess"pdf
18September2014AddedNorthSeaMap

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