Post by Administrator on Oct 11, 2021 16:08:36 GMT
VIA: Neutral Shores, Ireland and the Battle of the Atlantic.
After the German occupation of France merchant ships were denied the use of the Southwest Approaches and entrance into the Irish Sea from St. George's Channel. All merchant shipping would transit to the west of Ireland and enter the Irish Sea through the North Channel.
As a defensive measure the Royal Navy laid a minefield as an anti-invasion measure and to deter U-Boat activity. The minefield extended between Cornwall and the coast of Ireland and suitable gaps were made to allow use by allied and neutral coastal shipping.
Two operations were carried out by minelayers in July and early August with reinforcement at the end of the year bringing the total number of mines laid in Southwest Approaches to over 6,000.
In the winter and during bad weather it was not uncommon for mines to break loose from their moorings and sightings of drifting mooring along the Irish coast were not uncommon. Shipping casualties were inevitable despite the efforts of the diminutive Irish coast watching service ships searching for and destroying the rogue mines.
After the German occupation of France merchant ships were denied the use of the Southwest Approaches and entrance into the Irish Sea from St. George's Channel. All merchant shipping would transit to the west of Ireland and enter the Irish Sea through the North Channel.
As a defensive measure the Royal Navy laid a minefield as an anti-invasion measure and to deter U-Boat activity. The minefield extended between Cornwall and the coast of Ireland and suitable gaps were made to allow use by allied and neutral coastal shipping.
Two operations were carried out by minelayers in July and early August with reinforcement at the end of the year bringing the total number of mines laid in Southwest Approaches to over 6,000.
In the winter and during bad weather it was not uncommon for mines to break loose from their moorings and sightings of drifting mooring along the Irish coast were not uncommon. Shipping casualties were inevitable despite the efforts of the diminutive Irish coast watching service ships searching for and destroying the rogue mines.