Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 33:54-34:23

Steel degaussing versus wooden minesweeper hulls

Engineers preferred degaussed steel trawlers for performance, while crews valued wooden hulls that removed the need to manage magnetism.

DegaussingMagnetic MinesMinesweepersNaval Technology
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Question

Was a degaussed steel or wooden hull better for trawlers sweeping magnetic mines?

Short answer

Engineers preferred degaussed steel, but trawlermen liked wooden hulls because they did not depend on degaussing discipline.

Notes

Technical optimization and operating convenience point toward different choices. A degaussed steel hull offers stronger performance and more advanced engineering. Wooden construction avoids dependence on remembering and maintaining the degaussing state. Sailors and designers can therefore rank the same minesweeping solution differently.