Sea mines have been important in naval warfare throughout history and continue to be so today. They have caused major damage to naval forces, slowed or stopped naval actions and commercial shipping, and forced the alteration of strategic and tactical plans. The threat posed by sea mines continues, and is increasing, in today's world of inexpensive advanced electronics, nanotechnology, and multiple potential enemies, some of which are difficult to identify. This report assesses the Department of the Navy's capabilities for conducting naval mining and countermining sea operations.

This book is about modern torpedo technology and naval mine design. It is written by an expert in underwater weapon systems. The author has spent many years designing torpedoes in all their aspects from homing to dynamics and control engineering, as well as torpedo proximity fuzes. He has also designed all types of naval mines. The author initially discusses the nature of underwater explosions and the detailed designing of torpedo electromagnetic (EM) proximity fuzes based on it. The topic of EM proximity fuzes, considered a complex subject, is treated in an easy-to-understand manner. The topic is well explained with examples. Torpedo homing is then discussed in substantial detail as well as wake homing. The author discusses basic sonar theory for the uninitiated. He then discusses the evolution of torpedo homing and concludes with a cursory examination of the homing head of a contemporary torpedo.

A specialist how to book detailing the methods used to protect vital ports and harbours up to the late 1880s by means of the fast-evolving weapons of submarines, mines and torpedoes. The author, a former Royal Engineers officer, goes into great technical detail on the specifics of mine casings, the quantities of explosives used, electrical mines, and even the personnel best employed to operate the weaponry. The text is well-illustrated by diagrams, plans and maps as well as tables of explosive formulae etc. A must have book for all who are interested in the early development of mine and submarine warfare.