Admiralty Mining Establishment
Encyclopedia
The Admiralty Mining Establishment was a technical department of the Royal Navy
responsible for both the design of naval mines
and the development of suitable countermeasures. In keeping with many technical departments it employed both military and highly skilled, civilian personnel. It was partly located near Portsmouth
naval base at West Leigh House, Havant.
During the Second World War
it recruited a number of scientists to its ranks.
Many of them went on to become highly regarded in their respective fields including; David Bates
, Robert Boyd, Francis Crick
,
Tom Gaskell, John Gunn
, Harrie Massey
and Nevill Mott.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
responsible for both the design of naval mines
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
and the development of suitable countermeasures. In keeping with many technical departments it employed both military and highly skilled, civilian personnel. It was partly located near Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
naval base at West Leigh House, Havant.
During the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
it recruited a number of scientists to its ranks.
Many of them went on to become highly regarded in their respective fields including; David Bates
David Bates (physicist)
Sir David Robert Bates, FRS was an Irish mathematician and physicist.Born in Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland, he moved to Belfast with his family in 1925, attending the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. He enrolled with the Queen's University of Belfast in 1934...
, Robert Boyd, Francis Crick
Francis Crick
Francis Harry Compton Crick OM FRS was an English molecular biologist, biophysicist, and neuroscientist, and most noted for being one of two co-discoverers of the structure of the DNA molecule in 1953, together with James D. Watson...
,
Tom Gaskell, John Gunn
John Currie Gunn
Sir John Currie Gunn CBE, FRSE was an influential Scottish scientist.Gunn was born in Glasgow and educated at the University of Glasgow, and St John's College, Cambridge....
, Harrie Massey
Harrie Massey
Sir Harrie Stewart Wilson Massey FRS was an influential Australian mathematical physicist. He worked primarily in the fields of atomic and atmospheric physics.- Life and career :...
and Nevill Mott.