SADDAM YACHT HIT

mirror ^ | 3/28/03

[knak]

SADDAM Hussein's presidential yacht is believed to have been sunk in a coalition air strike.

The luxurious Al Mansur was the largest ship in the Iraqi Navy, despite having no military value.

It is thought to have been partially sunk during an attack by allied bombers on the port of Basra on Tuesday night.

Two large patrol boats and a supply ship were also left at the bottom of the Shatt Al Arab river.

With at least one other Iraqi patrol boat already sunk in the Persian Gulf, and six patrol boats under allied control at the port of Umm Qasr, Saddam has effectively lost his navy.

Though several speedboats are unaccounted for, the Royal Navy and US Navy have total control of the waterways.

Captain Michael Cochrane, commander of HMS Chatham, which is guarding both the mouth of the

Shatt Al Arab and two vast oil platforms, said: "It is reported the remainder of Saddam Hussein's navy in Basra has now been destroyed.

"There are reliable reports indicating in a blow to Saddam's presidential pride, the presidential yacht is among the ships sunk."

The Al Mansur bore more of a resemblance to a cross-Channel ferry than any other private yacht, reaching up to 400ft in length, towering eight decks high, and with a large helicopter pad. Sumptuously decorated, it boasted a huge glass-domed atrium.

[knak]

that's ok, he won't be needing it

[Arkinsaw]

When was the last time he took an excursion? The Persian Gulf seems like an awful dangerous place for Saddam to be boating.

[Revolting cat!]

No big loss since he expects to win anyway!

[Gamecock]

Opps

[merrin]

Mansur? Sounds French to me!

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

"Pardon me, Mansur, vould you like some cheese before ve surrender?"

[Happy2BMe]

"Mansur? Sounds French to me!"

Perhaps a gift from his madamoselle?

Yes! Yes! You Can Have A Boat!!

[CheneyChick]

hee hee hee hee hee hee - I loved this story.

[CatOwner]

"I am deeply saddened that I will not be able to take that Gulf cruise I was promised for this summer."

Signed,

Tom Daschle

[KaiserofKrunch]

We should have spared it. We could have auctioned it off, like Hitler's car, and then sent the money to the families of the coalition forces whose sons were killed by SH.

[OperationFreedom]

thanks for a chuckle!

[phalynx]

Largest boat in the Iraqi fleet??? I bet we knocked the barnacles off his dingy...

[Chummy]

I would have loved to hear the reaction of the aviator who took out this scow.

[Carolinamom]

Another possible escape route cut off.

[Fester Chugabrew]

"that's ok, he won't be needing it"

It needed a good chitting anyway.

[GSWarrior]

It's a real possibility that he will just disappear; no body will ever be found and speculation that he is in hiding somewhere will go on for years.

[Rome2000]

[applemac_g4]

Shatt al Arab = s___ of Arab? :)

What a name for a river even if I've got the translation wrong.

[ffusco]

Partially Sunk?!?!?!

Floating Propaganda? or cloudy sky?

[pbear8]

Hitler's car

That's at the Barbie Museum.