The discovery of a paravane, an underwater minesweping device used in World World 2 by the British Army, came about after it was washed ashore due to the recent storms.
The weapon had been in Shammer lake, just outside Kilkelly village in County Mayo, for a number of years and remained untouched.
Local resident Anthony Freeman found the device a couple of yards from the lake after it became dislodged from the water. He decided to bring it to his home for further investigation. After his daughter Annette Freeman looked up the markings online, they became concerned that it could still be viable.
A photo of the paravane was posted on Twitter by Annette, when the Irish Times security analyst Tom Clonan commented, "It’s really important that you contact emergency services and refer them to the Defence Forces Ordnance Disposal. If in doubt-999". The family immediately contacted the relevant authorities.
Bit of a rare one but, can anyone identify what the hell this is? Theres writing on it - Paravane, D mark L 325. pic.twitter.com/VJj4egbuAw
— Annette Freeman (@Annette_Freeman) February 16, 2014
This morning Mr. Freeman visited Swinford Gardai station, they then informed the Defence Forces and later today members of the Army will visit Mayo to investigate the device.
The paravane was developed in 1914 by Commander Usborne and Lieutenant Burney, financed by Sir George White, founder of the Bristol Aeroplane Company.
Mr. Freeman is hoping that he’ll be able to keep his discovery, as it has been on the family’s lake since he and his wife can remember. He is also curious to find out more about the type of weapon it is and how it ended up in Shammer lake.
It was attached to a wire so maybe there is more to be revealed about its origin underwater.
