All at Sea — Answers

The questions are all related to today’s date, March 23rd.

One

The Suez Canal was blocked for six days in 2021, when a container ship ran aground, see picture above. What was the name of the container ship?

Answer: Ever Given.

The Ever Given, a 400-metre-long vessel, blocked the Suez Canal on 23 March, disrupting global trade. After six days, the ship was freed, and shipping resumed. The Egyptian government impounded the vessel, seeking compensation, and a settlement was reached in July.

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Two

What animals were retired from the U.S. Army in 1957 when it was decided that they were obsolete? 

Answer: Pigeons.

During World War I, 10,000 messenger pigeon spots were filled, delivering messages where telegraph lines were vulnerable. Despite their service from the Spanish-American War to the Korean War, advances in communication technology made pigeons obsolete, leading to the end of pigeon service in 1956.

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Three

In 1998, James Cameron’s Titanic won eleven Academy Awards. Which of these did it not win: 

1. Best Actress
2. Best Director
3. Best Picture

Answer: 1. Best Actress.

James Cameron and Jon Landau Received the Oscar for the Best Picture, and Cameron was also the recipient for Best Director. Although nominated Kate Winslet did not win the Best Actress award which went to Helen Hunt for her role in As Good as it Gets.

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Four

In 1956, the world’s first Islamic republic came into being. Currently the term is used in the names of three states: name those three countries? 

Answer: Pakistan, Mauritania and Iran.

The term is currently used in the official name of three states – Pakistan, Mauritania, and Iran. Pakistan first adopted the title under the constitution of 1956. Mauritania adopted it on 28 November 1958. Iran adopted it after the 1979 Iranian Revolution that overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty. Despite having similar names, the countries differ greatly in their governments and laws.
— Wikipedia (22/03/2026)

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Five

In 1806, Lewis and Clark began their return journey to St. Louis, Missouri. Their return journey began from a position near to the mouth of what river?

Answer: Columbia River.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition, led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark, explored the newly acquired western US territory after the Louisiana Purchase. The expedition, which began in 1804 and ended in 1806, traversed the continent, reaching the Pacific Ocean near the mouth of the Columbia River, where they built Fort Clatsop. The fort became their winter encampment prior to heading back to St. Louis. The original fort was replaced with a replica, and the area is now the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.

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