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December 14, 1942 CONFIDENTIAL PACIFIC FLEET CONFIDENTIAL LETTER 43CL-42.
1.Reference (a) is quoted for information: "1. The following information and recommendations relative to the use of paravanes are promulgated herewith for such distribution and use as is desired by the addressees. Commandants of all Naval Districts are included as addressees in order that this information may reach merchant ships fitted with paravanes. "2. Various types of anti-sweep devices which may be encountered in a moored minefield fall into two general classes as follows: "3. Mines fitted with anti-sweep devices, when encountered by the paravane tow rope, are likely to damage either or both the ship and paravane. The use of a rubber covered tow rope reduces the likelihood of damage to the ship by explosion of a cut mine by delaying the severing of the mine mooring until the mine is deflected a greater distance from the ship, perhaps to the paravane cutter. This type of tow rope prevents detonation of the antenna type mine by the galvanic action of the tow rope though it may also, deflect the antenna to the paravane where it will be fired. The insulated tow rope thus affords increased protection to the ship against mines arranged to fire when swept but results in decreased spread of the paravane through increased drag. The endurance of this type tow rope as compared with the standard three strand tow rope has not been determined. "4. No effective countermeasure has as yet been developed for use with paravanes against obstructors. "5. The following arguments for and against the streaming of paravanes are listed.
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"6. In weighing the advantages and disadvantages of paravanes, it appears the arguments for are greater than those against; therefore it is recommended that as a general rule paravanes should be used in waters likely to be mined. It is pointed out, however, that the general protection afforded by paravanes has been materially reduced by the new dangers to which paravanes and towing wires are exposed. "7. Unless rubber covered towing wires are used, it is not considered desirable that paravanes be run in the known vicinity of antenna mine fields except in areas where there is a strong probability of encountering other types of moored mines as well. "8. If paravanes are used, it is possible that a mine mooring may become caught in a paravane. At low speeds of ship the paravane loses much of its outward thrust and may bring the mine dangerously close to the ship. In such instances to prevent the mine being brought closer to the ship, effort should be made to slip or cut the paravane adrift without slowing. "9. In regard to moored mines, the following facts should be kept in mind:
R. A. SPRUANCE, DISTRIBUTION: (35CM-42) P. V. Mercer,
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Transcribed by RESEARCHER @ LARGE. Formatting & Comments Copyright R@L.