Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:34:07-4:35:01

How old are sea mines that still cause trouble?

An unconfirmed Crimean War mine report opens a survey of old mines that can remain dangerous after drifting away or failing to detonate.

American Civil WarCrimean WarNaval Mine WarfareNaval MinesRusso Japanese WarWorld War I
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Question

What are the oldest sea mines still causing problems at sea?

Short answer

An unconfirmed Crimean War mine in the Black Sea is the oldest report mentioned, with later wars also leaving persistent hazards.

Notes

A reported Crimean War mine in the Black Sea is offered as a possible oldest surviving hazard, with its identification explicitly unconfirmed. American Civil War examples have also been reported. Mines from the Russo-Japanese War and both world wars are mentioned as lingering dangers. Laying hundreds or thousands makes complete accounting difficult: some drift away or otherwise escape the expected fate. A mine that fails to detonate can remain a hazard long after the operation that placed it.