THE YANKEE MINING SQUADRON [Illustration: THE NORTH SEA MINE BARRAGE. Showing also Foul Ground East of Dogger Bank due to Irregular Minefields. The 1st to 13th Minefields were American.] THE YANKEE MINING SQUADRON OR LAYING THE NORTH SEA MINE BARRAGE BY CAPTAIN REGINALD R. BELKNAP, U.S.N. _The Squadron Commander_ [Illustration] ANNAPOLIS, MD. THE UNITED STATES NAVAL INSTITUTE 1920 COPYRIGHT, 1919 COPYRIGHT, 1920 BY J. W. CONROY Trustee for U.S. Naval Institute PREFACE In writing of the “biggest ‘mine planting stunt’ in the world’s history”—to quote a Christmas greeting from Rear Admiral Clinton-Baker, head of the British minelaying force—I have endeavored to make an account that would be readable enough for general interest, largely for the reason that, compared to other operations, our undertaking received scant mention at the time. Its very nature required preparation in quiet and precluded discussion of its progress. Unnecessary technical detail has therefore been suppressed, although much could be written that would be welcomed by those versed in it. The whole account is based on data obtained at first hand. The description of assembling the squadron for a mining excursion fits the third excursion rather than the first, but the difference is a minor one, affecting only the numbers present—six ships on the first excursion, ten on the third. All the rest is correct, in substance and details. Besides influencing an early armistice, this great minelaying operation marks an epoch in the use of submarine mines in warfare. It was an event in military history, as well as a prominent operation, and the credit for it belongs not alone to the officers and men who were actually present but also to those of the old mine force, to whose services in developing, in our navy, the art of handling and laying mines in large numbers, the success of the great operation was so largely due.