What is a minesweeper?
Q: What is a minesweeper?
A: A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to sweep the water clear of mines. They are used to keep waterways clear for shipping and are quieter and less magnetic than other ships so that the mines won't explode when being swept.
Q: How were sea mines a threat before World War I?
A: Sea mines were a threat to the nation's shipping in Great Britain before World War I, as they posed a real threat of blockade aided by mines.
Q: When did dedicated, purpose-built minesweepers first appear?
A: Dedicated, purpose-built minesweepers first appeared during World War I.
Q: What advances were made in Minesweeping during World War II?
A: During World War II, fighting nations quickly adapted ships to the task of Minesweeping and both Allied and Axis countries made heavy use of them throughout the war. Underwater mine technology had grown beyond the ability of Minesweepers to detect and remove at this time as well.
Q: What types of new Minesweepers were developed after WWII?
A: After WWII, allied countries worked on new types of Minesweepers such as special landing craft (shallow-water boats) which were used to clear shallow harbors in and around North Korea.
Q: Where are U.S Navy Minesweepers currently located?
A: As of June 2012, U.S Navy had four Minesweepers located in the Persian Gulf.
