How a sunken warship influenced an islands history.

In 1917, during World War I Russian battleship Slava was sunk in the Moon Sound off the coast of Muhu Island. The wreck remained partially above water and became an important character in Muhus history. 

There were few options for work on the island, many inhabitants seeked employment from the mainland. Slava’s wreck became a source for iron and copper, becoming a big mining operation that offered a lot of work for locals and brought money to Muhu. 

But one thing from Slava that was not iron or copper left an even bigger imprint into Muhu’s history. It was picric acid, the chemicals used to make explosives. Locals discovered that the acid could be used to dye fabric. The colour became known as mine yellow and the Muhu yellow skirts became famous and widely worn thanks to Slava. 

Many items from Slava are in various Muhu homes. For example one hunter uses the safe from Slava as a gun safe.