Location
Lat 17° 0′ 2″ S, 146° 4′ 44″ E  Sudbury Reef is a small coral reef that is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park roughly 20 km off the coast of Queensland in Australia. Located roughly 45 nautical miles southeast of Cairns.

British Sea Mine
On January 31, 2002 a tourist snorkeling on Sudbury Reef discovered a World War II era British sea mine. The mine, which had been drifting around the world's oceans for more than 50 years. Department of Defence spokesman Mark Tanzer said a small charge would be attached to the mine and set off by remote control. A navy ordnance diver had identified the mine as an anti-shipping type used by the British during World War II. "They were usually anchored to the sea bed, but rough weather and the effects of corrosion could have let it drift free," Mr Tanzer said. He said the mine could contain up to 230kg of TNT.

Reference
"British Second World War Mine Threatens Barrier Reef" January 31, 2002

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Last Updated
October 23, 2019