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Subject: Re: Möwe's Mines Author: Michael Lowrey [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 16:48:28 03/31/02 Sun In reply to: kpp 's message, "Re: Möwe's Mines" on 10:54:36 03/31/02 Sun Klaus-Peter, Thanks for the map. Here's my analysis: The commonly reported information of ships sunk by mine is inadequate. I have several books on German raiders and they don't do a good job with vessels sunk by mines. In the case of Möwe, she must certainly also be credited with sinking by mine the Norwegian steamer Bonheur on January 7, 1916 60 miles west of Strathy (Scotland). This is the vessel referred to but not mentioned by name in John Koenig's "The Kaiser's Pirates." Also, I would think that the Duckbridge (1491 grt), which was mined Feb, 22, 1916 6 miles north from Strathie point could be another of Möwe's victims. As for the Bay of Biscay losses, in most cases the locations in Lloyd's War Losses just aren't precise enough by themselves to be sure the vessel sank on a mine laid by Möwe (but see below). Specifically: • Chemin de Fer (trawler of 35 grt) mined on Feb 2, 1916 in the "Bay of Biscay." • Dupleix (trawler of 58 grt) mined on Feb 7., 1916 near "La Coubre." Möwe laid mines maybe 30 miles west of La Coubre. • L'Angelus (Sailing vessel of 37 grt), mined on Feb. 11, 1916 in the "Bay of Biscay." • Lakme (3,117 grt), mined on Feb 29, 1916 "6 miles NW of Ile d'Yeu" - Möwe'a mines were SW of Ile d'Yeu, not NW. • Le Redempteur (sailing vessel of 36 grt) mined on March 31, 1916 in the "Bay of Biscay." • Eretria (3464 grt) mined on May 12, 1916 "16 miles S 34 deg West (true) of Ile d'Yeu." - this matches up with the position of one of Möwe's minefields. • Prosper III (4297) mined on June 1, 1916 in the "Bay of Biscay." Realistically, given that Möwe laid a total of 238 mines in nine separate fields, the contention that you read that all the mines were found and swept soon after the loss of Bayo and Belgica, is to my mind highly questionable. Also, given the technology of the day, I'd expect at least a few mine hits on sweepers sent out to clear that many mines... Does anybody know if the French laid defenisve mine fields in the Bay of Biscay in the first half of 1916 in response to the Möwe's success? If not, then I would say all the losses must be assigned to Möwe... Comments? best wishes, Michael [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

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Subject Author Date Re: Möwe's Mines kpp 23:00:44 03/31/02 Sun