Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 20:18-23:09

The mine that sank Petropavlovsk

The likely Japanese mine triggered catastrophic secondary explosions in a battleship whose underwater protection left magazines vulnerable.

BattleshipsImperial Japanese NavyImperial Russian NavyNaval MinesPetropavlovskPort ArthurRusso Japanese WarStepan Makarov
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Question

What is known about the mine that sank Admiral Makarov's flagship at Port Arthur?

Short answer

It was probably a Japanese mine; the hit caused secondary magazine explosions that rapidly destroyed Petropavlovsk.

Notes

The mine was probably a standard Japanese weapon derived from contemporary British practice. Russian defensive fields in the same crowded waters leave a smaller possibility that a friendly mine had drifted, so the identification is not absolute. Admiral Makarov's pursuit and return toward Port Arthur brought Petropavlovsk through the dangerous area. The hit location and the ship's limited underwater protection exposed her magazines to catastrophic secondary explosions. Petropavlovsk then sank with Makarov and most of those aboard.