A mine taken from the captured German submarine UC 5 (1915) on the dry dock floor after removal.

A German sea mine on the floor of the floating dry dock at Harwich, having been removed from the captured German mine-laying submarine UC 5 (1915). The mine is still attached to the sinker mechanism that would have acted as the anchor on the seabed. The stairs on the right of the picture lead down from the dock side at the stern of the dry dock.

UC 5 grounded on Shipwash Shoal on 27 April 1916. Despite being scuttled, the charges failed to explode fully. UC 5 was salvaged and taken to Harwich, placed in the floating drydock off Shotley and the mines removed. She was made seaworthy and sent round to the Thames to be moored off the Embankment near the Houses of Parliament.

Object Details

ID: N22614
Type: Roll film negative
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Hooper, Lieutenant Geoffroy William Winsmore
Vessels: UC5 (1915)
Date made: May 1916
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 109 mm x 80 mm