This is NOT an optical illusion

The scale is accurate.

Since this is what kept me alive at a certain point in my life, my daughter KatieL found this in a store and thought I should have it... maybe for emergencies?

Yes, it's an 8 pound can of Dinty Moore Stew.

HMMmm I wonder if it's available in 55 gallon drums?

It's so versatile, Click  Here  for other suprising uses.

 

 

 

 

Dinty Moore Stew used AS BALLAST..

 

Pictured below is Jerry Spiess. He crossed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Long ago I survived on DMS (Well, actually, I still do). I would tear the paper off the can, open it and put the can on the gas stove (no dishes).  Removing the paper is important because I discovered that the paper catches on fire and certain salad dressings burn when poured on a fire.

My boss's husband was a famous World sailor in a 10 foot sailboat, I met him several times. Then one day he mentioned that he took Dinty Moore Stew with him on his famous trips across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans... as BALLAST in his boat.

Very interesting story this link.... it’s a short but fascinating read, hard to quit reading.

http://www.sailingbreezes.com/sailing_breezes_current/articles/Nov05/yankeegirl1.htm
http://www.marlinbree.com/work6.htm