Greenham Control Tower mystery object identified as naval mine clearer
The mystery behind a strange object discovered on Greenham Common last month has been partly solved.
The large bomb-shaped object has been identified as a type of paravane, a float towed behind marine vessels to help clear underwater mines.
Although the purpose of the object has now been identified, its origins and how it ended up hidden beneath the Greenham undergrowth still remain a mystery.
Jeremy Willis, ambassador to Greenham Control Tower where the paravane is on display, said: “Since we asked for help to identify this object we have been contacted by many [Newbury Weekly News] readers who have emailed us with their suggestions.
“It has been described as being a rocket, bomb, missile or an underwing fuel tank for a bomber.
“We also had many visitors to the visitors centre to see the object for themselves and those who were in the Navy came up with the correct identification.”
One reader, a retired Navy commander, recognised the object as an Algerine size 0 float and sent the control tower drawings and pictures of an identical object to help with identification.
These types of paravanes were used by the Navy up until the late 1990s.
However, the identification of the object as this specific type of paravane threw up further questions.
Mr Willis said: “What threw us a bit was the addition of a third fin but with close inspection, this has been marked as having been welded by a Newbury firm, no longer in existence.
“Quite why, we do not know.”
An enigma still surrounds the strange naval weapon, but it can still be viewed within the grounds of the control tower supporting the present exhibition on the International Air Tattoo, the Greenham Years, which runs up until March 13.
Mr Willis said: “We are a charity run by volunteers.
“We are actively looking for trustees and any willing volunteers to help out as guides or in the café.”
Details on volunteering for the Greenham Control Tower can be found at www.greenhamtower.org.uk
