Minesweeping Collection

American submarine chasers, WW1
Six American submarine chasers during the First World War. They served in minesweeping operations in the North Sea. Date: 1917-1918

La flotte d'avant-garde; le dragage des mines. Batiment auxiliare a la recherche des sous... 1916
La flotte d'avant-garde; le dragage des mines. Batiment auxiliare a la recherche des sous-marins ennemis. Les deux cachets de la Censure de l'Amiraute indiquent que la publication de ce

'La flotte d'avant-garde; le dragage des mines. Le commandant du trawler et son skipper, 1916. Creator: Unknown
La flotte d'avant-garde; le dragage des mines. Le commandant du trawler et son skipper, 1916. From "Collection de la Guerre IV. L'Illustration Tome CXLVIII

La flotte d'avant-garde; le dragage des mines. On descend le "kite" (litteralement; "cerf... 1916)
La flotte d'avant-garde; le dragage des mines. On descend le "kite" (litteralement; "cerf-volent")

La flotte d'avant-garde; le dragage des mines. Une mine remotee a la surface fait explosion...1916 Creator
La flotte d'avant-garde; le dragage des mines. Une mine remotee a la surface fait explosion, atteinte par les coups de fusil et de canon tires deux trawlers qui l'ont rencontree

Reconnoitring at Cronstadt, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Reconnoitring at Cronstadt, 1854. Crimean War. Fort Peter I.; Fort Alexander; Fort Menschikoff; "Bulldog"; "Phlegethon"

A large mine being detonated in French territory during World War One (b / w photo)
STC429799 A large mine being detonated in French territory during World War One (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English

Sappers of the 237 Field Company, Royal Engineers, clearing a minefield in the aftermath
NAM429772 Sappers of the 237 Field Company, Royal Engineers, clearing a minefield in the aftermath of the First Armys attack on Toukabeur and Chaouach, April 1943 (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Minesweepers at work (litho)
3622170 Minesweepers at work (litho) by Lacy, Charles John de (c.1860-1936) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Minesweepers at work)

HMS Zealandia, 1913. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
HMS Zealandia, 1913. HMS Zealandia was a King Edward VII-class battleship of the Royal Navy. She was originally named HMS New Zealand but was renamed HMS Zealandia in 1911

HMS Hindustan, 1911. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
HMS Hindustan, 1911. HMS Hindustan was a King Edward VII-class pre-dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy. Commissioned in mid 1905

Between Sweeps, 1943.The crew of a minesweeper relax on one of the mess decks of HMS Rothesay. From His Majestys Minesweepers. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1943]

Out Sweep 1943. The float with its flag is ready on its chocks. From His Majestys Minesweepers. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1943]

The shark-shaped paravane, 1943. The paravane, invented in 1917 and kept secret from the Germans, gave warships and merchantmen their own protection against mines. From His Majestys Minesweepers

The front page of His Majestys Minesweepers, 1943. From His Majestys Minesweepers. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1943]

HMS Sutton, British minesweeper
HMS Sutton (N78), British Old Hunt class minesweeper. Date: circa 1920

British naval convoy system by G. H. Davis
The method of safeguarding the freedom of the seas: the British naval convoy system at work. Making the high seas safe for Allied

HMS Burslem, British minesweeper
HMS Burslem, British Hunt-class minesweeper. Date: 1922

HMS Cornflower, British minesweeping sloop
HMS Cornflower, British Arabis class minesweeping sloop. Date: circa 1920s

Crew of HMS Cornflower, British minesweeping sloop
Four crew members of HMS Cornflower, British minesweeping sloop. Date: circa 1920s

Mines and torpedoes by G. H. Davis
Navy Notes of the Week: the question of mines and torpedoes. Showing naval minesweepers at work, sweeping a wire across an underwater mine field; a modern high-speed long-range torpedo;

Bow of a Naval minesweeper, WWII
Gun crew on the circular table of a British naval minesweeper going through a practice Date: 1939

U. S. Army Specialist searches for a weapons cache in Kirkuk, Iraq
March 27, 2010 - U.S. Army Specialist searches for a weapons cache in Kirkuk, Iraq

A German Army Minebreaker 2000

Afghan National Security Forces members search for IED s
January 6, 2014 - Afghan National Security Forces members with a Paktika village response unit search for improvised explosive devices

Getting out the paravanes on entering a minefield, WW1
The crew of a ship getting out the paravanes on entering a minefield during the First World War. The paravane is towed underwater in order to detect the presence of mines

Lowering a paravane on entering a minefield, WW1
Lowering a paravane on entering a minefield during the First World War. The paravane is towed underwater in order to detect the presence of mines. Date: 1914-1918

Bottlenose dolphin jumping out of water
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) jumping out of water, Navy Marine Mammal Program (NMMP), San Diego, USA. The NMMP trains dolphins

Dolphin training, Navy Marine Mammal Program, San Diego, USA. A bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) lying on a mat. The dolphin has just beached itself by launching out of the water

US Navy bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) being transported on an inflatable naval boat during operations in the Arabian Gulf

US Navy California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) with animal trainer (top left). This animal has been trained by the Navy Marine Mammal Program (NMMP), San Diego, USA

US Navy Marine Mammal Program, San Diego, USA. This Navy facility researches and trains sea mammals to perform underwater tasks that help the military

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"Minesweeping: Safeguarding the Seas in Times of War" During World War I, American submarine chasers played a crucial role in minesweeping operations. These brave sailors risked their lives to clear dangerous waters and protect naval convoys from devastating mine explosions. Inspired by the British naval convoy system developed by G. H. Davis, these dedicated men worked tirelessly to ensure safe passage for allied forces. In a haunting black and white photograph captured during World War I, we witness the sheer power of a large mine being detonated on French territory. The aftermath was left to be dealt with by the courageous sappers of the 237 Field Company, Royal Engineers who fearlessly cleared treacherous minefields. Lithographs depicting minesweepers at work showcase their relentless efforts as they meticulously scanned vast stretches of water for hidden dangers. Two notable vessels that contributed significantly were HMS Zealandia (1913) and HMS Hindustan (1911), both masterfully crafted by Kirk & Sons of Cowes. As time progressed into World War II, minesweepers continued their vital mission amidst challenging circumstances. Captured moments such as "Between Sweeps" and "Out Sweep" in 1943 reveal the tireless dedication of these brave souls who relentlessly patrolled hazardous waters. The introduction of innovative technology brought hope to this perilous task - enter the shark-shaped paravane invented in 1943. This ingenious device helped detect underwater mines while reducing risks faced by minesweeper crews. The front page of "His Majesty's Minesweepers" publication served as a testament to honor these unsung heroes who safeguarded our seas during wartime. It highlighted their unwavering commitment and sacrifice towards ensuring maritime security. One remarkable vessel that deserves recognition is HMS Sutton, an iconic British minesweeper known for its valiant service throughout history. Minesweeping remains an essential aspect of warfare even today, reminding us of the immense bravery and dedication displayed by those who protect our oceans.