Quizology.Online

Tag: transport

  • All at Sea—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions from my earlier post.

    Today’s questions focus on abandoned boats and ships. The first question centres on the Mary Celeste, discovered abandoned on December 4th, 1872.

    Mary Celeste.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    When the Mary Celeste was found drifting and abandoned on 4 December 1872, which everyday object—left untouched—helped show the ship had not been ransacked by pirates?
    A. The ship’s telegraph terminal
    B. A basketball
    C. A sewing machine

    Answer: A. The ship’s sewing machine

    Its presence in perfect condition suggested the crew left suddenly rather than under attack, since pirates would never have ignored valuable portable items.

    Two

    After HMS Resolute was abandoned in Arctic ice in 1854, how did the United States symbolically return the vessel to Britain after it was recovered?
    A. By selling it back to Britain at auction
    B. By sailing it back and gifting it to Queen Victoria
    C. By towing it to Canada and scuttling it ceremonially

    Answer: B. By sailing it back and gifting it to Queen Victoria

    Timbers from the ship were later made into the Resolute desk, used by many U.S. Presidents—an enduring symbol of Anglo-American friendship.

    Three

    What key items were missing when the abandoned Carroll A. Deering was found aground on Diamond Shoals in 1921?
    A. The ship’s logbook and navigation equipment
    B. All cargo and provisions
    C. The entire foremast

    Answer: A. The ship’s logbook and navigation equipment

    The loss of these items intensified the mystery, especially because the vessel was otherwise intact in the dangerous waters of the ‘Graveyard of the Atlantic’.

    Four

    Which country was the ghost yacht Kaz II navigating around when it departed from Airlie Beach before its three-man crew mysteriously disappeared in 2007?
    A. Australia
    B. Belize
    C. Canada

    Answer: A. Australia

    The yacht which was travelling from Queensland to Perth, Western Australia via the north of Australia was found with food set out and the engine running, sparking comparisons to the Mary Celeste because no sign of struggle or storm damage was present.

    Five

    SS Baychimo became a ‘wandering ghost’ of the Arctic, remaining adrift and being seen numerous times after being abandoned in 1931. For how many years did sightings continue?
    A. 18 years
    B. 28 years
    C. 38 years

    Answer: C. 38 years

    Sighted intermittently for almost four decades, the Baychimo was finally lost to history—its last confirmed appearance occurring in 1969 when frozen in ice.

  • All at Sea

    Today’s questions focus on abandoned boats and ships. The first question centres on the Mary Celeste, discovered abandoned on December 4th, 1872.

    Mary Celeste.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    When the Mary Celeste was found drifting and abandoned on 4 December 1872, which everyday object—left untouched—helped show the ship had not been ransacked by pirates?
    A. The ship’s telegraph terminal
    B. A basketball
    C. A sewing machine

    Two

    After HMS Resolute was abandoned in Arctic ice in 1854, how did the United States symbolically return the vessel to Britain after it was recovered?
    A. By selling it back to Britain at auction
    B. By sailing it back and gifting it to Queen Victoria
    C. By towing it to Canada and scuttling it ceremonially

    Three

    What key items were missing when the abandoned Carroll A. Deering was found aground on Diamond Shoals in 1921?
    A. The ship’s logbook and navigation equipment
    B. All cargo and provisions
    C. The entire foremast

    Four

    Which country was the ghost yacht Kaz II navigating around when it departed from Airlie Beach before its three-man crew mysteriously disappeared in 2007?
    A. Australia
    B. Belize
    C. Canada

    Five

    SS Baychimo became a ‘wandering ghost’ of the Arctic, remaining adrift and being seen numerous times after being abandoned in 1931. For how many years did sightings continue?
    A. 18 years
    B. 28 years
    C. 38 years

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today.

  • Walking on the Moon—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions posted earlier.

    The questions all relate to today, November 14th.

    Alan L Bean prepares to step onto the lunar surface.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Apollo 12, launched on 14 November 1969, became the second mission to land on the Moon. Among the three-man crew, who landed and walked on the lunar surface, was which of these: Mr Bean, Mr Hyde or Mr Spock?

    Answer: Mr. Bean

    Alan L Bean. Apollo 12’s crew consisted of Charles Conrad Jr., Richard F Gordon Jr and Alan L Bean. Alan Bean, an American astronaut, piloted the lunar module during the mission. He made two walks on the lunar surface, totalling eight hours, and later commanded the Skylab 3 mission. After retiring from NASA, Bean became a painter specialising in spaceflight themes.

    Two

    Is it true or false that Hannibal the Great was crowned pharaoh of Egypt today in 332 BCE?

    Answer: False

    It was Alexander the Great who was crowned pharaoh of Egypt today in 332 BCE. In Egypt, Alexander was portrayed as the son of Nectanebo II, the final pharaoh before Persian conquest. His victory over Darius was celebrated as Egypt’s salvation, demonstrating that Egypt remained under Egyptian rule.

    Three

    In Moby-Dick—which was published in the US today in 1851—Captain Ahab offers a gold coin as a reward for spotting the white whale. What real-world coin does he nail to the mast — and from which country does it come?

    Answer: A Spanish gold doubloon from Ecuador.

    The coin is a gold Spanish doubloon, specifically a sixteen-dollar piece from Ecuador. Its design includes symbols of the sun, zodiac signs, and the Andean mountains, which the crew interprets differently—each seeing their own meaning in it. The coin thus mirrors Ahab’s monomania and the novel’s larger theme of how individuals project their own beliefs and destinies onto the same object or event.

    Eugene B. Ely flies his Curtiss pusher airplane from USS Birmingham (Scout Cruiser # 2), in Hampton Roads, Virginia, during the afternoon of Nov. 14 1910.
    Image General Aviation News

    Four

    On this date, Eugene Burton Ely achieved the first aircraft takeoff from a ship. In which decade did this happen?

    Answer: 1910s

    In 1910, Ely took off from a makeshift deck on the USS Birmingham in a Curtiss Pusher aircraft and safely made landfall. A year later he made the first shipboard landing, complete with hooks attached to his Pusher to catch sandbagged ropes to abbreviate the landing roll.

    Five

    In the television series MASH*, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake, played by McLean Stevenson, was discharged and sent home in the final episode of Season 3. What shocking event was revealed at the end of that episode?

    Answer: His plane was shot down over the Sea of Japan, with no survivors.

    McLean Stevenson was born on this day in 1927. The twist ending of the episode ‘Abyssinia, Henry’ (1975) was kept secret from most of the cast until filming; their shocked reactions during Radar’s announcement were genuine. It marked one of the most memorable and emotional moments in television history.

  • Walking on the Moon

    The questions all relate to today, November 14th.

    Apollo 12 launch, November 14, 1969.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Apollo 12, launched on 14 November 1969, became the second mission to land on the Moon. Among the three-man crew, who landed and walked on the lunar surface, was which of these: Mr Bean, Mr Hyde or Mr Spock?

    Two

    Is it true or false that Hannibal the Great was crowned pharaoh of Egypt today in 332 BCE?

    Three

    In Moby-Dick—which was published in the US today in 1851—Captain Ahab offers a gold coin as a reward for spotting the white whale. What real-world coin does he nail to the mast — and from which country does it come?

    Four

    On this date, Eugene Burton Ely achieved the first aircraft takeoff from a ship. In which decade did this happen?

    Five

    In the television series MASH*, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake, played by McLean Stevenson, was discharged and sent home in the final episode of Season 3. What shocking event was revealed at the end of that episode?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Our House—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier post.

    Four of today’s questions concern November 7th and Canada or Canadians.  Question two is included because the house mentioned was owned by a Canadian at the time (she is the answer to question one).

    Déjà Vu, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
    Image

    One

    Roberta Joan Anderson, who was born at Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada on 7 November 1943, wrote Ladies of the Canyon (released 1970), her third studio album while living at 8217 Lookout Mountain Avenue, Laurel Canyon. Who is Roberta Joan Anderson better known as?

    Answer: Joni Mitchell

    Joni Mitchell’s third studio album, Ladies of the Canyon, was released in 1970 and includes Big Yellow Taxi, Woodstock and The Circle Game.

    Two

    A follow-on from the previous question regarding 8217 Lookout Mountain Avenue, Laurel Canyon where singer-songwriter Graham Nash lived with lady referred to in question one. The house is the subject of Our House written by Nash and released in 1970. What group, described by Wikipedia as a ‘folk rock supergroup’, released the song on and album and as a single in 1970.

    Answer: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

    Joni Mitchell bought the house in the Laurel Canyon district of Los Angeles in 1968 and met Graham Nash shortly after. Their house became a popular hangout for musicians. Our House featured on Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s Déjà Vu album in 1970 and was released as a single the same year.

    Three

    The ‘Last Spike’ ceremony at Craigellachie on 7 November, marked the completion of Canada’s transcontinental railway. In what decade did the ‘Last Spike’ ceremony take place, and in what Canadian province or territory is Craigellachie?

    Answer: 1880s (1885) and British Columbia

    At 9:22 a.m. on November 7, 1885, the ceremonial final spike was driven into the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) at Craigellachie, British Columbia. The honor fell to CPR financier Donald Smith, Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal. This historic moment marked the completion of Canada’s first transcontinental railway, bringing to a close years of struggle marked by natural disasters, financial crises, and even rebellion.

    Leonard Cohen.
    Image Wikipedia

    Four

    Born in Quebec, this songwriter, singer, poet and novelist passed away at 82 on 7 November 2016.  A fifteenth studio album Thanks for the Dance was released three years later. Who is this singer?

    Answer: Leonard Cohen

    Leonard Cohen, a celebrated Canadian songwriter, singer, poet and novelist, explored faith, mortality and love in his work. He received numerous accolades, including induction into several halls of fame and the Prince of Asturias Award for literature.

    Sergeant Edward Holland’s Victoria Cross, for valour at the Battle of Leliefontein, 7 November 1900.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    On this date in 1900, at The Battle of Leliefontein, the Royal Canadian Dragoons won three Victoria Cross. During what war did this battle take place?

    Answer: Second Boer War

    Lieutenant-Colonel François-Louis Lessard led a rearguard action to cover the withdrawal of a larger force. The Royal Canadian Dragoons, supported by artillery and a machine gun, repelled multiple Boer assaults, including a mounted charge. Despite heavy casualties, the Dragoons successfully protected the field guns, earning three of their members—Sergeant Edward Holland, Lieutenant Richard Turner, and Lieutenant Hampden Cockburn—the Victoria Cross for their bravery.

  • Our House

    Four of today’s questions concern November 7th and Canada or Canadians.  Question two is included because the house mentioned was owned by a Canadian at the time (she is the answer to question one).

    Flag of Canada.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    Roberta Joan Anderson, who was born at Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada on 7 November 1943, wrote Ladies of the Canyon (released 1970), her third studio album while living at 8217 Lookout Mountain Avenue, Laurel Canyon. Who is Roberta Joan Anderson better known as?

    Two

    A follow-on from the previous question regarding 8217 Lookout Mountain Avenue, Laurel Canyon where singer-songwriter Graham Nash lived with the lady referred to in question one. The house is the subject of Our House written by Nash and released in 1970. What group, described by Wikipedia as a ‘folk rock supergroup’, released the song on an album and as a single in 1970.

    Three

    The ‘Last Spike’ ceremony at Craigellachie on 7 November, marked the completion of Canada’s transcontinental railway. In what decade did the ‘Last Spike’ ceremony take place, and in what Canadian province or territory is Craigellachie?

    Four

    Born in Quebec, this songwriter, singer, poet and novelist passed away at 82 on 7 November 2016.  A fifteenth studio album Thanks for the Dance was released three years later. Who is this singer?

    Sergeant Edward Holland’s Victoria Cross, for valour at the Battle of Leliefontein, 7 November 1900.
    Image Wikipedia

    Five

    On this date in 1900, at The Battle of Leliefontein, the Royal Canadian Dragoons won three Victoria Cross. During what war did this battle take place?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today

  • Capital Gain—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier post.

    National Mall, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument,
    Washington D.C.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    What decade saw the first time that residents of Washington, D.C. could vote in a U.S. presidential election

    Answer: 1960s (1964)

    Twenty-Third Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1961, granted D.C. three electoral votes—the same number as the least-populous state. Before this, its residents had no say in electing the president or vice-president.

    Two

    Today Henry VIII of England became the first Supreme Head of the Church of England. In which century was this?

    Answer: 16th century (1534)

    The Act of Supremacy officially severed England’s ties with the Roman Catholic Church and papal authority, paving the way for the English Reformation. Henry’s motivations were both political and personal; he desired an annulment from Catherine of Aragon.

    Laika in a mock cockpit.
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    A dog named Laika went into space on this day in 1957. Which of these craft carried her: Soyuz 1, Sputnik 2 or Salyut 3?

    Answer: Sputnik 2

    Laika, a stray from Moscow’s streets, became a global icon of the Space Race. Sadly, she died within hours due to overheating, although the Soviets initially claimed she survived for several days.

    ⸻

    Four

    On this date, the Caribbean island nation of Dominica was first sighted by Europeans. Four hundred and eighty-five years later, it gained independence from a European country. What does the island’s name mean and from which country did it achieve independence?

    Answer: United Kingdom; and Sunday

    On 3 November 1493, Christopher Columbus sighted Dominica and named it Dies Dominica, meaning ‘the Lord’s Day’. Four hundred and eighty-five years later, on 3 November 1978, Dominica achieved independence after being a British colony and briefly a French one.

    ⸻

    Five

    On this day in 1911, a racing driver and engineer, born in 1878, co-founded the American motor car manufacturer Chevrolet, who was he and in what country was he born?

    Answer: Louis Chevrolet; Switzerland

    Louis Chevrolet’s name lives on in one of America’s most famous car brands, but he sold his stake early and never profited from its later success. Ironically, he died while working for a rival carmaker.

  • Capital Gain

    Here are five questions which are all related to today’s date, November 3rd.

    National Mall, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument,
    Washington D.C.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    What decade saw the first time that residents of Washington, D.C. could vote in a U.S. presidential election

    Two

    Today Henry VIII of England became the first Supreme Head of the Church of England. In which century was this?

    Laika in a mock cockpit.
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    A dog named Laika went into space on this day in 1957. Which of these craft carried her: Soyuz 1, Sputnik 2 or Salyut 3?

    ⸻

    Four

    On this date, the Caribbean island nation of Dominica was first sighted by Europeans. Four hundred and eighty-five years later, it gained independence from a European country. What does the island’s name mean and from which country did it achieve independence?

    ⸻

    Five

    On this day in 1911, a racing driver and engineer, born in 1878, co-founded the American motor car manufacturer Chevrolet, who was he and in what country was he born?

  • 2025-10-29 Bridge to Somewhere—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions posed earlier.

    The Öresund Bridge, which features in the Nordic noir television drama series The Bridge, carries European Route E20, see question 1.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    The European Route E20 stretches approximately 1,168 miles (1,880 km) from a river estuary airport in the west to the northernmost city of over a million people in the east. Which airport and city are these?

    Answer: Shannon Airport, Republic of Ireland and Saint Petersburg, Russia.

    The European route E20 is part of the United Nations International E-road network and runs roughly west-east through Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia and finally Russia. The road is not continuous and, at three points, a ferry must be used to continue along its length; although at one of those there is no ferry! The Øresund Bridge, which is known for featuring in the Nordic noir television series The Bridge, carries European Route E20.

    Two

    A television medical drama that ran from October 1982 to May 1988 was set in St Elegius Hospital, Boston. What was its title?

    Answer: St Elsewhere

    St. Elsewhere, a medical drama series, aired on NBC from 1982 to 1988. Although it never ranked higher than 47th in Nielsen ratings, it gained a loyal following and critical acclaim, winning 13 Emmy Awards. Set at the fictional St. Eligius Hospital in Boston, the show was known for its realistic portrayal of the medical profession and featured a large ensemble cast. It tackled contemporary issues like breast cancer, AIDS, and addiction, while also incorporating humour and inside jokes.

    Three

    In what novel by Charles Dickens does Esther Summerson tell her own story in the past tense?

    Answer: Bleak House

    Bleak House, a Dickens novel, satirises the legal system through the long-running case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. The novel, partly narrated by Esther Summerson, is set in London and is credited with introducing urban fog to Gothic literature.

    Four

    The Chalcolithic period, an archaeological era, was primarily defined by a rise in the use of what specific material?

    Answer: Copper (smelted copper)

    The Chalcolithic, or Copper Age, was a period characterised by the increasing use of smelted copper, following the Neolithic (latter part of the Stone Age) and preceding the Bronze Age. It occurred at different times in different regions, with the earliest evidence of copper smelting dating back to around 5,000 BC in Serbia. In Britain, the Chalcolithic was a short period between 2,500 and 2,200 BC, marked by the arrival of Beaker culture people and the introduction of copper and gold objects.

    Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III in the Sistine Chapel, October 2025.
    Image thedialog.org

    Five

    In October 2025, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England prayed with Robert Francis Prevost on the Apennine Peninsula. Who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and who is Robert Francis Prevost known as?

    Answer: King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV

    The reigning British monarch is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, currently King Charles III. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is the first American pope. King Charles and Pope Leo met at the Vatican to pray together in the Sistine Chapel. It was the first occasion that the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and the Pope had prayed together since the reformation 500 years ago.

  • Bridge to Somewhere

    Today we have five unrelated and unconnected questions.

    The Öresund Bridge, which features in the Nordic noir television drama series The Bridge, carries European Route E20, see question 1.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    The European Route E20 stretches approximately 1,168 miles (1,880 km) from a river estuary airport in the west to the northernmost city of over a million people in the east. Which airport and city are these?

    Two

    A television medical drama that ran from October 1982 to May 1988 was set in St Elegius Hospital, Boston. What was its title?

    Three

    In what novel by Charles Dickens does Esther Summerson tell her own story in the past tense?

    Four

    The Chalcolithic period, an archaeological era, was primarily defined by a rise in the use of what specific material?

    Five

    In October 2025, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England prayed with Robert Francis Prevost on the Apennine Peninsula. Who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and who is Robert Francis Prevost known as?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.