Woodburner from naval mine - photo

[Frank S]

It was probably purchased from a scrap yard and already disarmed and de milled. Or it was surplus and had never been loaded with HE. Most of the time it's far easier and safer to detonate in place something like that.

I attended a training course on ordnance disposal and handling in the Army But from what I remember the film we watched only briefly touched on marine based mines. And you are right far safer to blow in place which is true of most HE when ever possible.