MystQuhist Trivia

Question #1

Question:

Has the Panama Canal ever been closed?

Return To Trivia

Answer

  • Yes but infrequently

The Panama Canal has an excellent history of service. It was closed for 17 hours in 2010 due to flooding (the first time the canal has been closed due to weather). It was also closed in 1989 during the US invasion of Panama.

Question #2

Question:

Has the Suez Canal ever been closed?

Return to Trivia

Answer

  • Once, for 8 years

In fact the Suez Canal was closed for 8 years following the 6 days war in 1967, opening in 1975. 14 ships, referred to as the Yellow Fleet (due to sand accumulations) were trapped in the canal when the war started and were not able to leave for those 8 years!

Question #3

Question:

Which was the first ship to pass through the Suez Canal?

Return to Trivia

Answer

  • HMS Newport

Officially, the first ship to navigate through the canal was to be the imperial yacht of French Empress Eugenie, the L’Aigle, followed by the British ocean liner Delta. However, the HMS Newport, a British navy ship, was actually the first to enter the waterway, with its captain having navigated it to the front of the line under the cover of darkness the night before the ceremonial opening.
This image HMS Newport, Previous image L'Aigle