Sea mine

Russian Infernal Machine which is a type of early sea mine. It consists of an iron cone filled with gunpowder that was designed to explode when struck by a ship. This example is painted with the Russian Imperial Eagle and INFERNAL MACHINE BALTIC 1855. Infernal machines were used by the Russians during the Crimean War 1854-56 and were sometimes treated in a somewhat cavalier fashion by British naval officers. The 'Illustrated London News' in 1855 reported that one was examined by Admiral Seymour on HMS EXMOUTH who 'incautiously tapping a little bit of iron projecting from its side said "This must be the way they are exploded" when bang! the thing went off.' The Admiral was temporarily blinded and several of his officers had their whiskers burnt off.

Object Details

ID: KTP1307
Collection: Weapons
Type: Sea mine
Display location: Display - Sea Things Gallery
Creator: Unknown
Date made: circa 1855
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Diameter: 420 mm x 4.1 kg;Overall: 580 mm