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Get the sequins and feather boas out – it's Friday!
Did you know that in World War II, the German submarine U-1206 was sunk due to a malfunctioning toilet?
From Wikipedia:
U-1206 was one of the late war boats fitted with the new deep water high-pressure toilets which allowed them to be used while running at depth. Flushing these toilets was extremely complicated and special technicians were trained to operate them.
On April 14, 1945, eight miles off the Scottish coast while cruising at a depth of 200 feet, commander Schlitt decided to use the toilet without the help of a specialist. After failing to operate it correctly a specialist was sent, and not realising Schlitt had changed the settings, opened a valve causing seawater to flood in. The seawater reached the batteries causing chlorine gas to form forcing the boat to surface immediately in sight of the enemy. Although the gas was purged an aircraft bombed the submarine killing four crew and causing damage that left the boat unable to dive. The boat was abandoned and left to sink as the seawater continued to fill the vessel.
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