contact mine

noun

1. a naval mine designed to explode on contact with the hull of a ship.

Word History and Origins

Origin of contact mine¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Returning from a convoy on April 14, the frigate struck an Iranian contact mine, which blew a massive hole in the hull.

From Washington Post

The mine appeared to be a pill-shaped contact mine, Ryan said she was told by personnel from the Navy’s Explosives Ordinance Disposal, who called the museum to see if they had anything similar in their collection.

From Seattle Times

BBC Wales has tried to contact mine management but nobody was available for comment.

From BBC

The device was believed to be a moored contact mine from either World War I or World War II and could have been exposed by Hurricane Sandy last year, base officials said.

From Washington Post

A contact mine had been fired, and the bottom of the ship had been practically blown out, for a few minutes later she went down with nearly every soul on board.

From Project Gutenberg