Depth charges

Depth carges are used against submersibles. The mince case of depth charges consists of a ton-shaped metal cylinder. This case is equipped with an explosive charge between 10 and 140 kg and a trigger device. A depth charge can either be triggered at a certain water depth using pressure sensors or due to changes in the magnetic field strength by passing submersibles. Sometimes, also time-delayed depth charges, using timers or pyrotechnical or chemical delays were deployed especially during the Second World War.

 

(see: Böttcher et al., (2011): Munitionsbelastung der deutschen Meeresgewässer – Bestandsaufnahme und Empfehlungen; Bund/Länder-Messprogramm für die Meeresumwelt von Nord- und Ostsee (BLMP) im Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH) (Hrsg.); Hamburg; www.munition-im-meer.de)