228 Chapter 3
Participants: 200 United Kingdom/390 Denmark
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: During attacks on German positions, British planes often violated Danish
airspace and sometimes bombed Danish territory.
200 United Kingdom/395 Iceland
MID#2865
Dispute Number: 2865
Date(s): August 27, 1958 to May 31, 1959
Participants: 395 Iceland/200 United Kingdom
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: In August 1958, Iceland passed a new regulation that established a
12-mile exclusive fisheries zone which caused protest from the United Kingdom,
the Netherlands, France, and Belgium. Britain sent trawlers to fish inside the bound-
ary while being protected by British warships, and thus began the “Cod War.” On
September 2, crew of the coast guard vessel Thor were apprehended aboard a British
trawler. On November 12, the Thor attempted to apprehend the British trawler Hack
ness but encountered opposition. On February 6, 1959, Thor seized the British trawler
Valafell and fined the ship owners. Britain attempted to bring the boundary dispute to
the International Court of Justice, but Iceland declined. The dispute was finally settled
through an exchange of notes establishing the boundaries on March 11 and July 19,
- Except for four specified points, Britain and Germany accepted the Icelandic
boundaries.
Coding changes: End Date changed from June 5, 1959.
MID#2875
Dispute Number: 2875
Date(s): February 20, 1960 to July 10, 1960
Participants: 395 Iceland/200 United Kingdom
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Iceland extended its fishing boundary 12 miles from the shoreline, which
Britain protested. Several attacks on fishing boats followed. In March 1960, the
Second Conference on the Law of the Sea was called by the United Nations, and on
March 11 the two countries exchanged notes on the issue. However, incidents contin-
ued well into July.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from February 28, 1960. End Date changed
from June 30, 1960. Outcome changed from Unclear. Settlement changed from
None.