Benjamin Morrell (1795 – c. 1839) was an American sealing captain and explorer who made a series of voyages, mainly to the Atlantic, the Southern Ocean and the Pacific Islands, between 1823 and 1831. Many of the claims in his ghost-written memoir, A Narrative of Four Voyages, especially those relating to his Antarctic experiences, have been disputed by geographers and historians. In 1823 he took the sealer Wasp for an extended voyage into subantarctic waters, and it was from this time that much of the controversy surrounding his reputation developed. Many of his claims—the first landing on Bouvet Island, a Weddell Sea penetration to 70° S, an extremely rapid passage of 3,500 miles (5,600 km) at improbably high latitudes and the discovery of a coastline he named New South Greenland—have been doubted or proved false. He ended his career as a fugitive, having wrecked his ship and misappropriated parts of the salvaged cargo.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Morrell

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1598:

Anglo-Spanish War: After a 15-day siege Spanish troops in San Juan, modern-day Puerto-Rico, surrendered to an English force under Sir George Clifford. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_San_Juan_%281598%29

1859:

French acrobat Charles Blondin crossed Niagara Gorge, making him one of the world's most famous tightrope walkers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Blondin

1963:

The coronation of Pope Paul VI took place, the last such ceremony before its abandonment by later popes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation_of_Pope_Paul_VI

2009:

Yemenia Flight 626 crashed into the Indian Ocean near the Comoros, killing 152 people, with French schoolgirl Bahia Bakari the sole survivor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemenia_Flight_626

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

in fine fettle: In good condition; energetic, fit. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/in_fine_fettle

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The purpose of poetry is to remind us how difficult it is to remain just one person, for our house is open, there are no keys in the doors, and invisible guests come in and out at will.   --Czesław Miłosz https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Czes%C5%82aw_Mi%C5%82osz