On 2 March 1940, U 29 laid a field of twelve TMB mines off Nash Point (German grid reference AM9948). The TMB was a ground mine, which meant it settled at the bottom of the seabed. It was detonated by the magnetic or acoustic signature of a passing ship and delivered a warhead 580kg. The mines possibly caused the loss to the SLAVA (NPRN 274684) on 16 March 1940 and the BELLEROCK (NPRN 274685) in July 1940. The U-29 was a type VIIA attack submarine built at AG Wesser, Bremen (werk 910). Technical specifications 626 displacement ton surface; 745 displacement ton surface; 64.51m length x 5.85 beam x 4.37m draught (9.5m height). Armament 11 torpedo, 22 TMA mines, deck gun 88/55 220 rounds. The submarine undertook 7 patrols. On its fourth patrol, 11 February 1940 from Helgoland - 12 March 1940 returning to Wilhemshaven, it was under the command of Kap Lt Otto Schuhart. The positions available for the voyage note that on 2 March the U-boat was at AM9948, Newport, Bristol Channel laying 12 TMB mines. By the 4 March, the submarine was off the Cornish coast and sinking the 3072 ton British steamship THURSTON and the 6717 ton British steamship PACIFIC RELIANCE.
Sources include:
Armstrong, P and Young, R, 2010, Silent Warriors: Submarine Wrecks of the United Kingdom, Volume 3, pg15-16
