I was sent a link to an old Disney cartoon, King Neptune from 1932.  It's got pirates, it's got mermaids, it's got King Neptune....

There's a scene at the beginning where a bunch of mermaids pull themselves out of the water and up a rock to sing, play music, comb their hair, etc.  You know, that's some upper body strength.  Now, it would figure, since mermaids would have to pull themselves in and out of the water.  So, it begs the question in my mind....

How much do you think a mermaid could bench press?