HOW A WWII CAT SURVIVED 3 SHIP SINKINGS: THE STORY OF UNSINKABLE SAM
You’ve heard the saying, “Cats have nine lives,” and while there are countless tales of cats falling from trees or high-above windows, one cat put this theory to the test, earning himself the name “Unsinkable Sam.” Sam’s original name was “Oscar,” and his legacy began aboard the Bismarck, one of the two first-class Nazi battleships in World War II. The Bismarck (with Sam) was launched on Feb. 14, 1939, and soon after engaged in battle with The Prince of Wales, an Allied battleship. The Nazi ship was severely damaged in this battle and ultimately sunk. Only 118 of the 2,200 crew members survived, plus Sam.
wooden plank and floated safely to the nearby shore of Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory. British service members who found him ashore put two and two together and realized the cat — the very one their fellow servicemen saved in 1939 — was the only survivor of HMS Cossack, earning him the nickname “Unsinkable Sam.” The group in Gibraltar was from the HMS Ark Royal crew, and of course, they loaded Sam aboard when it was time to launch. But as Sam’s luck would have it, a torpedo struck the HMS Ark Royal just a month later, leaving him once again clinging to a floating plank near a boat launch back in Gibraltar.
The British destroyer HMS Cossack found Sam floating on a board hours later, and they promptly scooped him up and welcomed him aboard. Sam had officially switched sides to the Allied forces. Now on the right side of history, Sam lived with the British crew for the next few months as they performed convoy escort duties — until a torpedo struck the HMS Cossack in October 1941, killing all 139 members aboard. Except for Sam. Once again, Sam clung to a
Luckily, Sam’s boating days were over, and he was honorably transferred to the position of “mouse hunter” in the building of the governor-general in Gibraltar. Eventually, the British restationed their favorite floating feline to a “home for sailors” in Belfast, where he lived for the rest of his days until his peaceful passing in 1955.
Sam’s story may not officially prove cats have nine lives, but it makes at least three seem likely!
Dozens of skin care devices claim to prevent or reduce wrinkles, improve the appearance of acne scars and fine lines, and help firm and rejuvenate your skin. One device that’s currently trending is a dermaroller — but is it effective? What is a dermaroller? A dermaroller is a tiny handheld wheel with tons of short, fine needles. It’s meant to puncture the skin and promote collagen — which, in turn, should improve the texture of your skin, reduce acne scars, stimulate new blood vessels, and prevent wrinkles. Does it really work? According to a 2022 study from the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, dermarolling is an effective method to enhance the look and feel of your skin. In their study with 32 subjects, 73% saw improvement in the appearance of their skin in 30 days, and 68% saw considerable progress in 90 days. Almost 94% of participants saw high levels of improvement in their wrinkles, around 88% were satisfied with the results, and about 80% would recommend dermarolling to loved ones. How do you use a dermaroller? First, you want to wash your face and remove any oils or dirt. Then, gently hold the skin taut (not loose or flabby) and gently roll the device along the skin. You can use a dermaroller on your forehead, cheeks, under the eyes, and around Redefine Your Skincare With Dermarolling!
the mouth — just remember to be gentle! Finally, use hyaluronic acid serums on your face afterward to calm redness and help your skin repair.
This device is not just for your face; you can dermaroll your entire body! You can use it on your chest, stomach, legs, arms, back, feet, and hands. Dermarolling can also help with burn scars, stretch marks, dark spots, cellulite, and surgery scars. You will need a dermaroller with a needle length based on your desired result. Therefore, before purchasing a dermaroller, contact your health care provider or dermatologist for more information. They can help determine which size needle you need, share what brands they recommend, and provide tips on how to use the device correctly.
2 • www.garryliday.com
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