Naval mine

The Aquila and a merchant ship approaching naval mines

A naval mine is an explosive device placed in water to damage or destroy ships or submarines.

History

During the Golden Age of Piracy in the early 18th century, the pirate and eventual Assassin Edward Kenway equipped fire barrels on his ship, the Jackdaw. These barrels could be dropped into the water from the ship's stern and then detonated using the Jackdaw's swivel guns, causing considerable damage to any vessel within close proximity.

During Edward's later travels in Southeast Asia, the Joseon engineer Yun Pyeong-Gyu created a special type of fire barrels which detonated on impact, removing the need for swivel guns. These barrels were equipped on the Zhang Wei Union's flagship, the Fenghuang, and were used by Edward and his allies to repel Admiral Zheng's fleet, which ambushed them near the Philippines.

The Aquila detonating naval mines

During the American Revolutionary War, naval mines were set up in harbor regions to act as deterrents and to impede land invasions by sea. They were designed to sink ships or other seaborne craft, or as a threat to prevent the usage of an area of water. Moored mines were tethered to sinkers and floated at predetermined depths. The firing mechanisms of the mines were either traditional pressure points, which detonated the explosive on contact, or controlled by a pressure plate at its top, which could be turned off to allow the transit of friendly ships.

In 1773, while investigating a series of naval raids near Martha's Vineyard, the Aquila, captained by the Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton, came across a minefield that protected the Templar-occupied Fort Phoenix, forcing the crew to either destroy or avoid the mines. Later, when Ratonhnhaké:ton was trapped in an alternate reality created by an Apple of Eden, the New York Bay was also protected by a minefield, but Ratonhnhaké:ton successfully managed to navigate the Aquila through it.

Gallery

• 
  Concept art of the Aquila steering through naval mines
• 
  The Aquila steering through a minefield in an alternate New York Bay
• 
  The Fenghuang dropping fire barrels into the water

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed III (first appearance)
  • The Tyranny of King Washington: The Redemption
• Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
• Assassin's Creed: Rogue
• Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple