November
3, 1950
1
inch Earwig Sinks 3 Ships
A one-inch long earwig was
the indirect cause of sinking three commercial motor-ships. The tiny insect had
blocked the natural gas supply, extinguishing the light in a lighthouse at
Denmark's Grønsund strait between the island of Falster and the islands of Møn
and Bogø. During the 75 minutes before the light could be restored, four ships
ran aground, and three of them sank after their crews escaped.
Grønsund's maximum depth is
at approx. 20 meters and the width is between 1 - 4 km. Storstrømmen channel is
situated to the west and Stege Bugt lies to the north between Zealand and Møn.
Grønsund has several shallow areas, i.e. near Bogø, and has a strong and
alternating current. Both submersed and riparian vegetation is rich, and the
sound is an important breeding area for wildlife and fish.
Born in 1950?
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