Mine Laboratory

The Mine Laboratory was a specialized military unit established by the U.S. Army during World War I to research, develop, and test underwater mines and countermeasures. Organized in 1917 at the U.S. Army Coast Artillery School in Fort Monroe, Virginia, the unit played a crucial role in advancing mine warfare technology to protect harbors and maritime approaches. Its personnel included engineers, scientists, and ordnance experts who designed new types of mines and improved methods for their deployment and detection. Following the war, the unit's work contributed significantly to the evolution of mine warfare tactics and technology used throughout the 20th century.