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| GERMAN UNDERWATERS ORDNANCE MINES |
| Chapter 13 - MISCELLANEOUS MINES |
| RK MINE |
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General. The RK (Russisch Kugel) mine is another in the Improvisieren series. It was captured during the invasion of Russia, improvised locally and used mostly in the Baltic. It is a moored, contact, chemical-horn mine, laid by surface craft for use in maximum depth of water of 300 feet. |
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Description of Case |
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Shape |
Spherical |
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Material |
Steel |
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Diameter |
34 in. |
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Charge |
250-lb. cast TNT or hexanite |
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Total weight in air |
375-lb. approx. |
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Description of External Fittings |
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Horns |
Five, equally spaced, around upper hemisphere, 15 in. from center |
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Hydrostatic switch |
7.5 in diam., in pocket in center of upper hemisphere secured by locking ring with four set screws |
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Lifting eyes |
Two, 180° apart, 19 in. from center of upper hemisphere; fitted with lifting rings |
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Mooring eyes |
In center of lower hemisphere |
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Operation. The mine takes depth by plummet. Dissolution of a soluble plug allows wa-ter pressure to depress the spindle of the hydrostatic switch, closing the firing circuit; and the mine is thus armed. |
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Standard chemical-horn firing is employed. |
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The only self-disarming device is the hydrostatic switch, which is designed to disarm the mine by opening the firing circuit upon release of hydrostatic pressure. |
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Figure 310 – RK Mine Afloat |
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