logo
Boat that ferried Danish Jews to safety in WWII takes on water at Seaport

Boat that ferried Danish Jews to safety in WWII takes on water at Seaport

Yahoo04-04-2025

Mystic — Officials at Mystic Seaport Museum are assessing possible damage to a boat that helped save the lives of hundreds of Danish Jews during World War II.
During routine morning rounds Thursday, museum staff members discovered that Gerda III, a 40-foot Danish lighthouse tender and visiting vessel from the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City, had taken on water at its dock.
Because the boat was half submerged, the museum's staff contacted the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which dispatched a team to assess and mitigate any environmental impact, said Sophia Matsas, the museum's vice president of marketing and communications.
Matsas said a barge and crane stabilized and recovered the vessel, which was then towed to the museum's Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard for assessment.
Matsas said the museum is in close communication with the Museum of Jewish Heritage to coordinate the next steps.
Gerda III was among a fleet of workboats used to secretly ferry Danish Jews to Sweden so they could not be persecuted by the Germans who occupied Denmark during World War II.
The boat's Danish crew is credited with rescuing an estimated 300 Jews in groups of 10 and 15 in 1943, part of the overall effort that helped more than 7,000 people flee Denmark for Sweden. This was more than 90% of the Jews in Denmark at the time.
Restored in Denmark, the boat was donated by the Danish government to the Museum of Jewish Heritage in 1989 and later brought for display and safekeeping at Mystic Seaport Museum. The Museum of Jewish Heritage has been raising funds for its restoration. Additionally, Mystic Seaport Museum launched a PayPal fundraising campaign for the boat earlier this year.
'The Museum is committed to the responsible stewardship of maritime heritage and will continue to work diligently with all stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcome for Gerda III,' Matsas said.
The Museum of Jewish Heritage issued a statement Thursday expressing concern about the condition of the boat and called it 'a powerful symbol of the remarkable rescue efforts undertaken by the Danish people during the Holocaust.'
'The Gerda III's story, one of courage, resilience, and solidarity, exemplifies the extraordinary actions of ordinary people who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens,' the statement reads.
The Museum of Jewish Heritage said it will offer support to Mystic Seaport Museum 'to ensure the Gerda III is fully restored and continues to serve as an educational resource for generations to come.'
'We are thankful to the incredible team in Mystic for their quick response. Without organizations like Mystic Seaport Museum, dedicated to preserving our maritime history, treasures like Gerda III would be lost,' the statement reads.
To donate toward the preservation and upkeep of the Gerda II, readers can visit https://mysticseaport.org/gerda-iii-danish-lighthouse-tender/.
g.smith@theday.com

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bear conflicts with humans are rising in CT. One product is a popular choice for keeping them away.
Bear conflicts with humans are rising in CT. One product is a popular choice for keeping them away.

Yahoo

time6 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Bear conflicts with humans are rising in CT. One product is a popular choice for keeping them away.

As bear conflicts with humans are on the rise across Connecticut, bear self-defense products are popular items in outdoor recreation stores, as many residents plan to hike, camp, hunt and fish in the state this summer. The number of bear sightings reached 159 out of the state's 169 towns and cities last year, according to the 2025 'The State of the Bears,' an annual Department of Energy and Environmental Protection publication that tracks their growth. The yearly report, which was released in March, comes amid renewed interest in a black bear hunting season. DEEP officials said the black bear population remains stable, with between 1,000 and 1,200 bears, and has a high potential for growth due to 'an abundance of suitable habitat and excessive human-related food across their range.' 'Reports of entries to garages, screen porches and similar locations are often incorrectly reported as home entries, and totals change as staff investigate incidents,' DEEP said in the report. 'Dozens of attempted entries also took place. Many of these incidents occurred when bears pushed through screen doors and windows.' The number of serious conflicts involving bears is also on the rise, according to officials. Reports of home entries, livestock attacks, apiary and other agricultural damage, damage to vehicles and structures, as well as physical altercations with pets and people, are following a long-term upward trend. In 2024, Connecticut experienced two bear attacks on humans. Officials said bears are becoming less afraid of humans as they enter more urban areas due to habituation, a process through which a bear loses its fear of humans. Bird feeders, trash and food left around a yard can lead a bear to becoming less afraid of humans and more aggressive, according to DEEP Officials said they first recommend scaring away bears with loud noises through yelling or using whistles or air horns. Scaring a black bear can reinforce its natural fear of people and help keep it from lingering in neighborhoods and other areas where conflicts often arise. Effectively scaring a bear also reinforces the person as dominant in an encounter, so the bear learns to avoid people. In some cases, DEEP said loud noises are not effective at scaring away bears, especially ones that have already been habituated. Bears that are in urban areas and less afraid of humans, may not perceive loud noises as a threat. In these situations, DEEP officials say it can be more effective to use an object to make physical contact with the bear to drive it away. Throwing objects such as tennis balls, water balloons and small rocks at the bear can work, but using a paintball marker or slingshot can be more accurate and deliver more contact warnings in a short period of time, according to DEEP. Bear spray continues to be one of the more popular choices for those looking to defend themselves against bears without having to throw a physical object, according to DEEP. In Connecticut, it is illegal to shoot a bear using a firearm. Under Connecticut law, you can kill a bear in self-defense if you reasonably believe it's about to cause serious harm to you or someone else or if it's entering a building with people inside, according to DEEP officials. In addition, a bear may be killed if it is injuring or killing one's pet. But if a bear was shot and killed, it must be reported to DEEP, and law enforcement would investigate each case. If a bear is sprayed with bear spray it does not need to be reported, according to DEEP. Bear spray, while creating a temporary burning experience for the bear, is non-lethal and does not cause any permanent damage to the animal. DEEP said it recommends bear spray as a self-defense tool and does not recommend firearms. 'Using bear spray is an effective way to stop an attack by a black bear,' DEEP said. 'CT DEEP advises that if you decide to carry and use bear spray to defend yourself from a bear that you use it responsibly and according to the directions.' Bear spray contains a potent concentration of oleoresin capsicum, which is a highly concentrated oil extracted from hot peppers, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Bear spray also includes a propellant, typically a compressed gas, to push the mixture out of the canister. Standard pepper sprays have around one million SHUs, while bear sprays pack three million SHUs, so it's about three times as potent as human self-defense sprays. Bear spray typically has a range of 30-40 feet, while pepper spray's range is shorter, around 10-12 feet, according to the EPA. 'It's pretty popular, people are buying bear spray all year long,' said an unnamed employee at a popular outdoor recreation store in Connecticut. 'We definitely encourage folks who are going to be in the woods or on a trail to carry it with them. I can't say we're seeing an increase in sales, but it is frequently bought.' Bear spray is legal in all 50 U.S. states for self-defense against wildlife, including bears. However, misuse against humans can lead to legal consequences. The EPA said that bear spray should only be used in self-defense and as a last resort measure. Bear spray should never be used as a deterrent and sprayed on tents, objects or humans, as it can be dangerous and potentially lethal if inhaled. No one has died from using bear spray, according to the EPA. Several bear spray brands exist including Academy Sports, SABRE, and Counter Assault. Prices range from $30 to over $50 depending on size of the canister. Outdoor recreation stores including Cabela's, REI, and Bass Pro Shops sell bear spray at their Connecticut locations. More information on staying safe around black bears can be found at Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@

Today in History: James Earl Ray escapes from prison
Today in History: James Earl Ray escapes from prison

Chicago Tribune

time7 hours ago

  • Chicago Tribune

Today in History: James Earl Ray escapes from prison

Today is Tuesday, June 10, the 161st day of 2025. There are 204 days left in the year. Today in history: On June 10, 1977, James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., escaped from Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Tennessee with six others. He was recaptured three days later. Also on this date: In 1692, the first execution resulting from the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts took place as Bridget Bishop was hanged. In 1854, the U.S. Naval Academy held its first graduation ceremony. In 1940, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini declared war on France and Great Britain, formally entering Italy into World War II. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed into law the Equal Pay Act of 1963, aimed at eliminating wage disparities based on gender. In 1967, six days of war in the Mideast involving Israel, Syria, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq ended as Israel and Syria accepted a United Nations-mediated ceasefire. In 1978, racehorse Affirmed, ridden by Steve Cauthen, won the 110th Belmont Stakes to claim the 11th Triple Crown. Alydar, ridden by Jorge Velasquez, finished a close second in each of the Triple Crown races. In 1991, 11-year-old Jaycee Dugard of Meyers, California, was abducted by Phillip and Nancy Garrido; Dugard was held by the couple for 18 years before she was found by authorities. In 2018, the rover Opportunity sent its last message from the surface of Mars. Originally expected to serve a three-month mission, Opportunity functioned for over 14 years, traveling over 28 miles across Mars and unveiling critical discoveries about the planet's geology. In 2009, James von Brunn, an 88-year-old white supremacist, opened fire in the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., killing security guard Stephen T. Johns. (Von Brunn died at a North Carolina hospital in January 2010 while awaiting trial.) In 2020, protesters pulled down a century-old statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in Richmond, Virginia, the former capital of the Confederacy. Today's Birthdays: Political commentator Jeff Greenfield is 82. Actor Frankie Faison is 76. Football Hall of Famer Dan Fouts is 74. Former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., is 72. Actor Gina Gershon is 63. Actor-model Elizabeth Hurley is 60. Comedian Bill Burr is 57. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai is 53. R&B singer Faith Evans is 52. Actor Hugh Dancy is 50. Country musician Lee Brice is 46. Actor Leelee Sobieski is 42. Olympic figure skating gold medalist Tara Lipinski is 43. Model Kate Upton is 33. Former first daughter Sasha Obama is 24.

Today in History: June 10, Opportunity rover sends last message from Mars
Today in History: June 10, Opportunity rover sends last message from Mars

Boston Globe

time8 hours ago

  • Boston Globe

Today in History: June 10, Opportunity rover sends last message from Mars

Advertisement In 1772, rebels in Rhode Island looted and set afire the HMS Gaspee in Narragansett Bay after the ship ran aground chasing smugglers. The defiant act was considered one of the sparks igniting the American Revolution. In 1775, 250 years ago, the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts set down guidelines for daily provisions for each soldier in the 'Massachusetts army.' Those include: 'One pound of bread : 2d. Half a pound of beef and half a pound of pork; and if pork cannot be had, one pound and a quarter of beef; and one day in seven they shall have one pound and one quarter of salt fish, instead of one day's allowance of meat : 3d. One pint of milk, or, if milk cannot be had, one gill of rice : 4th. One quart of good spruce or malt beer : 5th. One gill of peas or beans, or other sauce equivalent : 6th. Six ounces of good butter per week: 7th. One pound of good common soap for six men per week.' Advertisement In 1854, the Naval Academy held its first graduation ceremony. In 1906, the Mother Church of Christian Science was rededicated in Boston after an expansion tripled its seating capacity to 3,000. In 1940, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini declared war on France and Great Britain, formally entering Italy into World War II. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed into law the Equal Pay Act of 1963, aimed at eliminating wage disparities based on gender. In 1967, six days of war in the Mideast involving Israel, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq ended as Israel and Syria accepted a United Nations-mediated cease-fire. In 1977, James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., escaped from Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Tennessee with six others. He was recaptured three days later. In 1978, racehorse Affirmed, ridden by Steve Cauthen, won the 110th Belmont Stakes to claim the 11th Triple Crown. Alydar, ridden by Jorge Velasquez, finished a close second in each of the Triple Crown races. In 1991, 11-year-old Jaycee Dugard of Meyers, Calif., was abducted by Phillip and Nancy Garrido; Dugard was held by the couple for 18 years before she was found by authorities. In 2009, James von Brunn, an 88-year-old white supremacist, opened fire in the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., killing security guard Stephen T. Johns. (Von Brunn died at a North Carolina hospital in January 2010 while awaiting trial.) Advertisement In 2018, the rover Opportunity sent its last message from the surface of Mars. Originally expected to serve a three-month mission, Opportunity functioned for over 14 years, traveling over 28 miles across Mars and unveiling critical discoveries about the planet's geology. In 2019, former Red Sox star David Ortiz flew to Boston for medical care; he'd undergone surgery in his native Dominican Republic after an ambush by a gunman at a bar. In 2020, protesters pulled down a century-old statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in Richmond, Va., the former capital of the Confederacy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store