“Mine Dismantling” Part 1 of 3
Heroes Remember
“Mine Dismantling” Part 1 of 3
It was alright to start with. There would be weeks on end
when I had, when I had nothing to do and, and in times like that
I would be corralled by the admiral's flag lieutenant to help do
jobs in the office with him. But then a gale would blow and all
hell would break loose. There'd be reports of mines all over
and you would work like mad for a few days and I guess,
I guess, well this, this is where I got my mention in dispatches.
What happened was, that a mine got into Scapa Flow and into
the fleet anchorage and a floating mine, according to the
Geneva Convention, it's supposed to be disarmed, to disarm itself
by a safety lever on the bottom. But, of course, barnacles
and marine growth are apt to get in there and, and prevent this
safety lever from functioning properly. So one always had to
assume that every, every floating mine was a dangerous mine.
Related Videos
The Home Front
Mr. Sutherland talks about working with the Bank of Commerce in a small town in a two-man branch in Newcastle.
Assignment on HMS Prosperine
Mr. Sutherland became an officer in the navy and volunteers for mine disposal duties.
“Mine Dismantling” Part 2 of 3
Risking his life, Mr. Sutherland secures a mine which is adrift in the Scapa Flow close to some battleships. Because of this action he was nominated for the George Medal.
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