Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Royal Navy explodes a floating mine by rifle fire

From "The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald" dated 9th April 1965.

A mine sighted off Arran last Saturday during the trials of the 63,000 ton tanker "Orissa" was exploded by rifle fire early on Sunday morning after a nine-hour search by six members of the crew of the Frigate HMS Russell from Greenock.

The "Orissa" had just completed a trial run on the measured mile off Arran when the mine was sighted.
A signal was immediately flashed to an accompanying tender which kept the mine under observation by spotlight, until arrangements could be made to have the Navy deal with it.

Lieut. R. H. Rodgers and other members of the party worked throughout the night to locate and sink the mine, which was lost for several hours in the darkness.

It was finally located and sunk at 6.45 am.

Throughout the search, warnings were issued to shipping to avoid the area.