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Mystery ship that vanished found entombed in alien species | World | News

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A mystery ship that vanished with its crew on board 130 years ago has been found in near-perfect condition – entombed in alien species.

The Africa was towing another vessel, the Severn, through Lake Huron, on the US-Canada border, when she disappeared in a snowstorm in October 1895.

With the towline broken, the Severn ran aground on Canada’s Bruce Peninsula, where her crew was rescued – but the Africa was never seen again.

It wasn’t the first misfortune the ship had suffered – she had already burned down to the waterline in 1886 before being rebuilt.

Now her bad luck continues even as a shipwreck – the Africa has been found entombed in quagga mussels which threaten her with collapse.

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Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick were shooting a documentary about the mussels – an invasive species that’s alien to the Great Lakes – when they found the wreck.

Mr Melnick said: “We received a tip that scientists doing an offshore fish survey had noticed an anomaly on their sonar readout – basically an unusual bump on an otherwise flat lakebed.”

“We honestly expected to find a pile of rocks,” said Ms Drebert.

“We were down for only a few minutes when a huge structure loomed up from the depths – it was a shipwreck. We couldn’t believe it.

“Everyone onboard was floored – and more than one expletive was thrown around! We really couldn’t believe our eyes.

“The ship is in pristine condition – sitting upright on the lakebed, as though it’s just fallen straight from the surface and is resting on the bottom.”

The Africa was found using an underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle) at a depth of some 280 feet.

But the ship is covered in invasive quaggas, which arrived in the Great Lakes some 30 years ago, so identifying her was a challenge.

“There are so many quaggas filtering the Great Lakes, that the lakes are up to three times as clear as they were before the mussels,” said Yvonne.

“The quaggas are the reason we’re able to see the shipwreck in almost 300 feet of water without any additional lights.

“But they’re also responsible for making wreck identification in the Great Lakes incredibly difficult.”

She continued: “The quagga mussels are slowly but surely causing the deterioration of the ship.

“They have small, hairy protrusions called byssal threads which they use to attach themselves to surfaces, working their way into wood, which causes deterioration.

“In some cases, the weight of millions of mussels can cause ship components, or even whole vessels to collapse.”

To identify the ship, the filmmakers enlisted the help of historian, Patrick Folkes, and marine archaeologist, Scarlett Janusas.

One clue was the enormous dimensions of the wreck – which is 148ft long, 26ft wide and 12.5ft high.

There is also a debris field of coal surrounding the vessel – the same cargo carried by the Africa and the Severn that fateful night.

Having identified the wreck as the Africa, Ms Drebert can now shed some light on the mystery of why she sank, taking her crew of 11 with her.

She said: “The Africa sank during an early season snowstorm.

“Intense winds would’ve been pounding the ship, driving it into the trough of the waves, and causing it to take on water.

“In our video we can see that there is some hull damage to the ship, however that could’ve been caused by the ship settling on the lakebed.

“Most likely, it was taking on water that brought the Africa down.”

In their documentary, All Too Clear, Mr Melnick and Ms Drebert explore how quaggas are re- engineering the Great Lakes’ ecosystem on a scale not seen since the retreat of the glaciers.

Mr Melnick said: “Before discovering the Africa, our work focused on the ecological impacts of the mussels – which have devastated fisheries around the lakes.

“We hadn’t considered the effect they could have on our cultural heritage.

“But the mussels have truly changed everything in the deep waters of the Great Lakes.”

Built in 1873, the Africa was carrying coal from the US city of Ashtabula, Ohio, to Owen Sound in Ontario, Canada, when she sank.

Quagga mussels are originally from the Black Sea region and are listed as “alien to North America” on the US National Park Service website.

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White Stuff dress that ‘hides lumps and bumps’ drops from £75 to £45

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As we head into spring, fashion label White Stuff continues to offer discounts to shoppers, and there’s a standout item you won’t want to miss. The Lucy Midi Dress is a stunning choice, with 342 customers rating it five stars. It’s usually priced at £75, making it one of the more expensive items from a high street shop; however, for a limited period, shoppers can grab it for £45. That’s a total saving of £30. The midi dress with three-quarter-length sleeves showcases an abstract print with a bold blue background, along with a v-neck cut.

Customers are pairing theirs with boots and tights during in colder weather, as well as planning to wear it throughout spring and summer. If you have a wedding in your diary, it’s a perfect pick, ensuring you stay comfortable while looking stylish.The Lucy dress is available in sizes six to 24, and you can opt for either petite or regular skirt length. It’s made from 100% Ecovero viscose, a breathable fabric, so you shouldn’t feel too hot when the weather gets warmer or when layered under a jacket.

And it’s not just the print that has customers raving – the dress’ silhouette cinches in at the waist without feeling tight. The flowing skirt lends the dress a relaxed vibe, but it can still be dressed up with gold jewellery and heeled sandals.

White Stuff’s Lucy dress has received glowing reviews from customers who have taken to the website to share their thoughts. One delighted customer raved: “I bought this dress as I was attracted to the beautiful colours as I already had this style but with a longer sleeve. The material is a lovely quality and the dress hangs beautifully. It looks fabulous and is a very flattering fit. I bought it in the sale too, so it was of brilliant value!”

Another fan of the dress commented: “Such a beautiful, flattering dress and the colours are fabulous. Very comfortable to wear. Looks great with boots, heals or sandals.”

A third customer chimed in: “I bought the pink and turquoise version and the shape is so flattering. I’ve had loads of compliments and I feel very summery in it. The sleeves are elbow length on me (hiding my saggy arms) which is great and the overall length is perfect as a midi dress.”

One buyer praised the addition of pockets, saying: “This is my second Lucy Eco Vero dress, and I like it as much as the first. The style is really flattering and hides my lumps and bumps!”

However, the Lucy dress wasn’t a hit with everyone. One customer explained that it didn’t flatter their figure: “The dress itself didn’t suit me at all. Even though the material was lovely there was just to much of it. The sleeves and skirt were huge. Which was a real shame.”

Another eye-catching dress for the upcoming season is the Fuchsia Floral Ruched Waist Midi Dress from Roman with its figure-flattering ruched waistline. Boden continues to impress with their range of dresses. The Willow Tiered Jersey Dress is a firm favourite, and the Kate Midi Shirt Dress is flying off the shelves.



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‘Great quality’ M&S bedding praised for offering ‘luxurious comfort’

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There is no better feeling than grabbing some fresh new bedding and jumping into bed – it’s the simple things in life. Particularly as the brighter months approach, for many, it’s a season of out with the old and in with the new – and that includes bedsheets.

Shoppers wanting to refresh their bedding can now take home the M&S X Fired Earth Washed Cotton Duvet Cover for between £37.50 to £59, depending on the size needed, a luxurious duvet cover that makes bedtime all the more inviting.

The cream covers range from a single (3ft) bed, all the way to super king size (6ft), ensuring that there is an option for everyone. Crafted from pure cotton, the bedding is sure to help buyers have a cosy and peaceful sleep 

The simplistic design features slim border trims with subtle bauble stitching to add a little extra spice. The bedding can be washed at 40 degrees and tumble dried at a low temperature. Pillowcases are sold separately, and they would be the perfect addition to finish off the whole look.

If cream isn’t the aesthetic buyers are going for, they can choose from a range of colours including plain white, teal green, brown and a variety of others.

With a 4.3 out of 5 rating from a total of 459 reviews, customers have shared their experiences with the M&S X Fired Earth range as one wrote: “Great quality and colour, comfortable to sleep under.”

“This is the second set of Washed Cotton bedding I have bought and would definitely recommend it for the cooler months as it feels warmer when getting into bed,” said another buyer.

“Fired Earth bedding was bought for my granddaughter. She will only use this range. I would say it’s for a casual look. She loves it,” wrote another buyer.

Some, however, weren’t as pleased with one shopper writing: “The duvet cover is OK. Nothing special really and I feel it’s overpriced…iIt’s very thin and not the quality I was expecting for what I paid.”

“This bedding looks nice enough but is quite thin for the price tag. I bought the brushed cotton pillow cases in a matching colour as well and they are much better quality. I wish I had just bought the brushed cotton set instead as it’s cheaper and the quality is far nicer,” said another.

If this set doesn’t quite fit a shopper’s aesthetic, they could opt for the Prescot Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set which ranges between £16 and £26 from Dunelm. The green set comes with pillowcases and is made from 100% printed velour. They could also try the Green and White stripe duvet cover and pillowcase set from Next which ranges between £14 to £30 and also comes with pillowcases, and is made from polyester and cotton percale.



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White Stuff’s £75 ‘slimming’ non-iron dress with pockets falls to £38

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As the season transitions into spring, fashion fans are swapping their cosy winter wear for breezier springtime attire. Those looking to refresh their wardrobe should consider heading to the White Stuff website. The beloved high street chain is currently running an up to half-price sale on numerous items, with the highly sought-after Rua Embroidered Dress among them. Originally retailing at £75, the dress is now almost 50% off, reduced to £38.

This Rua dress is lovingly made from organic cotton and modal blend, offering both comfort and functionality. It features a striking green shade with two concealed side pockets and a cinched waist for added shape. Dubbed as ‘slimming’, the midi dress is available in UK sizes four to 24 and comes in both petite and regular lengths, designed to hit that perfect mid-point below the knee and above the ankle, ensuring it’s both stylish and practical.

With its universal appeal for women of all shapes and sizes, the Rua Embroidered Dress is suitable for every event, from a simple day out to more upscale occasions. It has earned an impressive average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 2,200 reviews, reports the Manchester Evening News.

A satisfied customer shared their experience: “Easy to wear and comfortable. Good fit to size and does not need ironing so great for travelling.”

One satisfied customer commented: “Nice fitting dress. It suits any occasion. Either casual or for a special event. Love the colours.”

Another person mentioned: “Lovely dress. So easy to wear, love the long sleeves and pockets. Great colours. A winner.

“The dress is a good addition to my wardrobe,” stated another, adding that ” It fits well and I think it is quite slimming. I like the position of the pockets, useful but do not add bulk in the hip area.”

Another review pointed out: “The fabric hangs well and doesn’t crease. A bargain in the sale. Haven’t washed it yet though. That’s always a good test.”

Meanwhile, one shopper wasn’t as enthused about the Rua Embroidered Dress, leaving a three-star review that remarked: “Very unremarkable, neither striking nor stylish, pretty nor alluring, just rather drab. It was just a very uninteresting dress.”

Yet, another customer expressed delight with their White Stuff purchase, saying: “Love the Rua dress, I now have three. So flattering and comfortable. Can dress up or down for casual outings. Wash beautifully.”

Elsewhere, Boden has announced up to 70% off in its midseason sale, offering deals such as the Thea Long Sleeve Jersey Dress now at £36 from £90, and the Kate Sleeveless Shirt Dress reduced to £50 from £125.

Alternatively, Nobody’s Child is enticing customers with up to 80% off selected items in its outlet sale, featuring the Black Floral Puff Sleeve Callie Midi Dress slashed to £16 from £79, and the Denim Balloon Sleeve Astra Midi Dress now available for £44.50, down from £85.



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