Mines / Mianaigh

The most intricate drawings and notes in John Burn’s notebooks concern mines. As numerous accidents during the war were to show, mines would prove the most dangerous hazard along the Irish coastline to military and civilians. Burn’s noted the exterior and variations in type due to nationality. He was drilled in how mines were detonated, how some floated free while others were anchored in a fixed position. Mines broke free and drifted away from their intended position and a daily task of Coastwatchers was to report the presence of any mines on their stretch of the coastline to Command Ordnance Officers.   

Is dírithe ar mhianaigh atá cuid de an léaráidí agus nótaí is sonraithe atá i leabhair nótaí John Burns. Mar a léirigh go leor de na timpistí a tharla i rith an chogaidh, ba iad na mianaigh an ghuais ba chontúirtí do shaighdiúirí agus gnáth-dhaoine ar feadh chósta na hÉireann i rith an chogaidh. Rinne an Burnach nóta den chuma sheachtrach a bhí ar na mianaigh maraon leis na cinéalacha difriúla a tháinig ó thíortha éagsúla. Bhí traenáil faighte aige ar an gcaoi le mianaigh a mhaidhm, mar a shnámh cuid acu saor ar an uisce agus mar a bhí cuid eile ar ancaire in áit amháin. Is minic a bhris siad ón áit a bhí siad ar ancaire agus bhí sé mar dhualgas laethúil ar na Fir Faire aon mhian a chonaic siad ar an gcósta a thuairisciú do na hoifigí ordanáis.

Text courtesy of Dr Michael Kennedy.

John Burn’s Notebooks courtesy of Military Archives, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin.

Leabhair Nótaí John Burns, Le caoinchead ó gCartlann Mhíleata, Dún Chathail Bhrugha, Baile Átha Cliath.