Originally a Russian contact mine, model 1908, purchased in the mid-1920s by the Polish state from war surpluses. Modernized in the second half of the 1930s, they are therefore referred to in the literature as Polish mines wz. 08/39.
The mine consisted of an actual ball-shaped mine with five pins. The explosion occurred when one of the pins broke - each of them contained a glass vial with electrolyte, which spilled out after the rupture and closed the electrical circuit connected to the detonator. The mines were mounted on anchor trolleys with four wheels, allowing for manipulation on rails. At the rear of the carriage was a drum with a coiled anchor rope. A simple mechanism, consisting of a weighted rope and an arm connected to a brake mechanism, controlled the depth of placement. The operator adjusted the length of the cable according to the desired depth. When the weight reached the bottom, the tension in the rope relaxed, the force holding the arm open was released and the drum with the rope stopped. The anchor trolley then pulled the mine to the desired depth. The mines were protected against premature detonation by a safety device which activated the mine only after the prescribed depth had been reached and the time required to dissolve the sugar cube placed in it had elapsed. "Sugar fuses"
also secured the steel caps of the pins, protecting them from damage during handling and dropping.
TTD:
Type: contact mine
diameter: 975 mm 1)
dimensions when secured: 1290 x 905 x 1040 mm
charge weight: 110 kg TNT
weight of the mine itself: 274 kg
weight of the anchor trolley: 318 kg
total weight: 592 ± 10 kg
length of anchor rope: 110 m
minimum sea depth: 15 m
minimum mine spacing: 35 m
drop preparation time: 5 + 2.5 min.
10 ÷ 20 min.
In armament:
ORP Gryf, minesweepers of the Jaskółka type, alternatively also destroyers of the Wicher and Grom types and gunboats OORP General Haller and Komendant Piłsudski.
Sources:
- Piaskowski, Stanisław M.: Okręty Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej 1920-1946, Lampart, Warsaw 1996, ISBN 83-900217-2-3
- Klatka, Narcyz; Niewęgłowski, Jerzy: Contact mine wz. 08/39. Types of weapons and armament, number 20. Publishing House of the Ministry of National Defence, Warsaw 1973.
- Waśko, Zdisław - Witkowski, Rafał: Wojsko Polskie - krótki informator historyczny o Wojsku Polskich w latach II wojny - Marynarka Wojenna. Publishing House of the Ministry of National Defence, Warsaw 1976.
Notes:
1) some sources indicate a diameter of 930 mm
The mine consisted of an actual ball-shaped mine with five pins. The explosion occurred when one of the pins broke - each of them contained a glass vial with electrolyte, which spilled out after the rupture and closed the electrical circuit connected to the detonator. The mines were mounted on anchor trolleys with four wheels, allowing for manipulation on rails. At the rear of the carriage was a drum with a coiled anchor rope. A simple mechanism, consisting of a weighted rope and an arm connected to a brake mechanism, controlled the depth of placement. The operator adjusted the length of the cable according to the desired depth. When the weight reached the bottom, the tension in the rope relaxed, the force holding the arm open was released and the drum with the rope stopped. The anchor trolley then pulled the mine to the desired depth. The mines were protected against premature detonation by a safety device which activated the mine only after the prescribed depth had been reached and the time required to dissolve the sugar cube placed in it had elapsed. "Sugar fuses"
also secured the steel caps of the pins, protecting them from damage during handling and dropping.
TTD:
Type: contact mine
diameter: 975 mm 1)
dimensions when secured: 1290 x 905 x 1040 mm
charge weight: 110 kg TNT
weight of the mine itself: 274 kg
weight of the anchor trolley: 318 kg
total weight: 592 ± 10 kg
length of anchor rope: 110 m
minimum sea depth: 15 m
minimum mine spacing: 35 m
drop preparation time: 5 + 2.5 min.
10 ÷ 20 min.
In armament:
ORP Gryf, minesweepers of the Jaskółka type, alternatively also destroyers of the Wicher and Grom types and gunboats OORP General Haller and Komendant Piłsudski.
Sources:
- Piaskowski, Stanisław M.: Okręty Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej 1920-1946, Lampart, Warsaw 1996, ISBN 83-900217-2-3
- Klatka, Narcyz; Niewęgłowski, Jerzy: Contact mine wz. 08/39. Types of weapons and armament, number 20. Publishing House of the Ministry of National Defence, Warsaw 1973.
- Waśko, Zdisław - Witkowski, Rafał: Wojsko Polskie - krótki informator historyczny o Wojsku Polskich w latach II wojny - Marynarka Wojenna. Publishing House of the Ministry of National Defence, Warsaw 1976.
Notes:
1) some sources indicate a diameter of 930 mm
