Fact Check

Minks Mistaken for Submarines

Swedish navy mistakes minks for submarines.

Published July 30, 1999

Claim:

Claim:   The Swedish navy once mistook minks for enemy submarines.


TRUE


Origins:   [Ottawa Citizen, 1994]



Stockholm

Mink

— The Swedish navy has been pursuing small mammals, probably minks, for months in the belief they were foreign submarines, the navy admitted. A naval operation was mounted off the Baltic coast to track sound waves believed to emanate from a "foreign vessel." But after several weeks experts realized the sound came from a tiny mammal. Vice-Admiral Peter Nordbeck still insists foreign submarines have violated Swedish waters.


Barbara "furry furor" Mikkelson

Last updated:   11 August 2011


Sources:




    Ottawa Citizen.   "Tiny Mammals Mistaken for Foreign Submarines."

    2 September 1994.