Rare WW2 Paravane/Minesweeper found in UK

[Australia]

A paravene was washed up on Lake Shammer over the weekend

The discovery of a paravane, an underwater minesweping device used in World World 2 by the British Army, came about after it was washed ashore due to the recent storms.






The weapon had been in Shammer lake, just outside Kilkelly village in County Mayo, for a number of years and remained untouched.

Local resident Anthony Freeman found the device a couple of yards from the lake after it became dislodged from the water. He decided to bring it to his home for further investigation. After his daughter Annette Freeman looked up the markings online, they became concerned that it could still be viable.

A photo of the paravane was posted on Twitter by Annette, when the Irish Times security analyst Tom Clonan commented, "It’s really important that you contact emergency services and refer them to the Defence Forces Ordnance Disposal. If in doubt-999". The family immediately contacted the relevant authorities.

This morning Mr. Freeman visited Swinford Gardai station, they then informed the Defence Forces and later today members of the Army will visit Mayo to investigate the device.

The paravane was developed in 1914 by Commander Usborne and Lieutenant Burney, financed by Sir George White, founder of the Bristol Aeroplane Company.

Mr. Freeman is hoping that he’ll be able to keep his discovery, as it has been on the family’s lake since he and his wife can remember. He is also curious to find out more about the type of weapon it is and how it ended up in Shammer lake.

It was attached to a wire so maybe there is more to be revealed about its origin underwater.

[Scout]

How very interesting!
From what I understand, he who found it had seen it attached to a wire and had been aware of it for years thus making it have nostalgic value to him.
Please keep us updated.

[harryamb2]

looks like a ww1 item,in ww2 they were more torpedo shaped,probably a test one.

[Australia]

Does look older then ww2 but who knows

[crites1234]

how exactly does it work?

[Australia]

how exactly does it work?

I think they tow it behind a boat and hope it hits a sea mine making the mine explode ?

[MilitariaOne]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paravane_(weapon)

Regards,

Lance