North Sea Mine Barrage

The North Sea Mine Barrage, also known as the Northern Barrage, was a large minefield laid easterly from the Orkneys to Norway by the United States Navy (assisted by the Royal Navy) during World War I. The objective was to inhibit the movement of U-boats from bases in Germany to the Atlantic shipping lanes bringing supplies to the British Isles. Rear Admiral Lewis Clinton-Baker, commanding the Royal Navy minelaying force at the time, described the barrage as the "biggest mine planting stunt in the world's history;" but larger fields containing more mines were laid during World War II.

Read more about North Sea Mine Barrage:  Concept, Objectives, Mark 6 Mines, Laying The Minefield, Success of The Barrage, Cleanup, Postwar Consequences

Famous quotes containing the words north, sea and/or barrage:

    “The compulsion to do good is an innate American trait. Only North Americans seem to believe that they always should, may, and actually can choose somebody with whom to share their blessings. Ultimately this attitude leads to bombing people into the acceptance of gifts.”
    —Ivan Illich (b. 1926)

    “All are delectable. Sweet sweet sweet
    But resign this land at the end, resign it
    To its true owner, the tough one, the sea gull.
    The palaver is finished.”
    —T.S. (Thomas Stearns)

    “Are you more likely to tolerate drivel than you were four years ago? I think the answer is yes. Four years of Reagan has deadened the senses against a barrage of uninterrupted nonsense.”
    —Alexander Cockburn (b. 1941)