German marine Mines: On the Limestone Coast in the South East of South Australia

South Australia's Limestone Coast has many points of interest to keep visitors amused for days. Surfers are always on the lookout for a decent break, while the holidaymaker can marvel at some of the most spectacular scenery in the State.

But there's another side to this fascinating coastline and one, which harks back to the dim dark days of World War Two.

From the Port MacDonnell Customs House you look out on the jetty and the local fishing fleet. Back in 1943 Clarrie Hammond set off in his crayboat for another days fishing only to come across a little more than he bargained for. He stumbled across a German mine that had been dropped off the coast and had washed ashore during high tide.

It was soon disarmed by a team from Adelaide and now takes pride of place outside the Customs House.

As does another in front of the Customs House at Robe.

“Approximately 9 of them were found along the coast from Kingston through to Port MacDonnell.”

A German Raider operating out of Indonesia had released a series of mines off our coast. Most were disarmed without incident but one wasn't.

In 1941 a fisherman spotted a mine floating off the coast at Beachport. With the aid of his fishing boat he hauled the mine back to the local jetty only to be confronted by locals who were none too pleased at what he'd brought to town. He was told in no uncertain terms to get rid of the thing and hauled it to the far side of the town beach where bomb disposal experts from Adelaide took over. They made several unsuccessful attempts to detonate the mine and at one point felt confident enough to have their photos taken along side the unwanted visitor.

In a cruel twist, a wave picked up the mine, rolled it over onto it's detonators and killed the man in the photo and another mate from the Adelaide bomb disposal unit. Remnants from that German Mine and photos of the incident are still on display at the Old Wool and Grain Store Museum in Railway Terrace, Beachport. If you have any further questions please email
info@postcards-sa.com.au