Iéna was a pre-dreadnought battleship built for the French Navy (Marine Nationale). Laid down at Brest in January 1898, the vessel was launched on 1 September and completed on 14 April 1902. The ship was assigned to the Mediterranean Squadron and remained there for the duration of her career. Iéna frequently served as a flagship, participated in the annual fleet manoeuvres and made many visits to French ports in the Mediterranean. On 4 March 1907, while docked for repairs in Toulon, the battleship was badly damaged and 120 people were killed by a magazine explosion that was probably caused by the decomposition of old propellant, known as Poudre B. Multiple investigations were launched and the ensuing scandal forced the naval minister to resign. While repairs were possible, Iéna was not considered worth the expense. The salvaged hulk was used as a gunnery target in 1909 before it was sold for scrap in 1912.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_battleship_I%C3%A9na
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1876:
William "Boss" Tweed, a New York City politician who had been arrested for embezzlement, was handed over to US authorities after having escaped from prison and fled to Spain. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_M._Tweed
1963:
The first episode of Doctor Who, the world's longest-running science fiction television show, was broadcast on BBC One, starring William Hartnell as the first incarnation of the title role. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Unearthly_Child
1980:
An earthquake struck the Irpinia region of Italy, killing at least 2,483 people, injuring more than 7,700 and leaving 250,000 homeless. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_Irpinia_earthquake
2007:
MS Explorer became the first cruise ship to sink in the Southern Ocean. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Explorer_%281969%29
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
intraordinary: (rare, nonstandard) Falling within normal parameters; normal, ordinary. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/intraordinary
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
You have summoned me in my weakness. You must sustain me by your strength. --Franklin Pierce https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Franklin_Pierce
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