Suez Gallery

Ships trapped in Suez Canal, Six-Day War

Fifteen ships trapped in the Suez Canal as a result of the Six-Day War (5-10 June 1967) between Israel and Egypt. Although the war was short, the Canal was blocked at both ends and the ships were trapped in the Great Bitter Lake section between 1967 and 1975. The ships were nicknamed the Yellow Fleet because of the desert sand which covered them as time went on. Crew members of different nationalities got together to provide mutual support, organising social events, sporting competitions, film screenings, church services, etc. Seen here is a merchant ship, the Scottish Star (Blue Star Line). Date: 1970s

© Mary Evans Picture Library/DAVID LEWIS HODGSON

Map of the Suez Canal, Egypt

Map of the Suez Canal in Egypt showing the water way from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea which was constructed in the 19th century by the Suez Canal Company founded by Ferdinand de Lesseps. The map also illustrates most of the major travel routes in the area. Date: circa 1930

© Mary Evans / Pharcide

Area, Canal, Canals, Egypt, Egyptian, Fouad, Ismailia, Lake, Lakes, Map, Maps, Mediterranean, Port, Railway, Red, Route, Routes, Sea, Seas, Suez, Tewfik, Track, Tracks, Travel, Travelling, Water, Ways

De Lesseps statue at the entrance of the Suez Canal, Egypt

De Lesseps statue by Emmanuel Fr魩et at the entrance of the Suez Canal in Port Said, Egypt, gesturing invitingly towards the canal which meant an easier way of transport and travel to the east. Ferdinand de Lesseps was the initiator and founder of the Suez Canal Company which constructed and operated the canal until the 1950s. The statue stood in Port Said between 1899 and 1956 until it was moved to a small shipyard in Port Said's twin city on the eastern bank of the Suez Canal Port Fouad. Date: circa 1930

© Mary Evans / Pharcide