John B. King explosion

History
Canada
Name: John B. King
Launched: 1863
Fate: Sank 26 June 1930
General characteristics
Length: 140 ft (43 m)
Beam: 50 ft (15 m)
John B. King explosion
Date June 26, 1930
Time 16:30 EST
Location Brockville, Ontario
Coordinates 44°33′46″N 75°42′42″W / 44.56283°N 75.71179°W / 44.56283; -75.71179Coordinates: 44°33′46″N 75°42′42″W / 44.56283°N 75.71179°W / 44.56283; -75.71179
Cause Lightning
Casualties
30

The John B. King explosion was a Canadian maritime disaster on June 26, 1930, when a drill boat containing dynamite was struck by lightning near Brockville, Ontario. Thirty people were killed.[1]

The scow was off the point of Cockburn Island working on blasting a St Lawrence Seaway channel through Brockville narrows, and had drilled several holes of dynamite. At 4:30 pm, while it was drilling another, a bolt of lightning struck the boat, travelling down the drill, and igniting the dynamite on the river floor.[2]

The explosion was witnessed by United States Coast Guard Cutter 211, which then rescued 12 members of the crew of 42.

A memorial plaque was erected on the north-west corner of Cockburn Island by the Department of Public Works Canada.

The wreck is now located west of Cockburn Island and at 80 ft.[3] It is a popular dive site, and some divers have lost their lives while diving the wreck.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "John B. King, exploded, 26 May 1930".
  2. ↑ "Brockville, ON Ship J. B. KING Explodes, June 1930".
  3. ↑ "Scuba+H20, Brockville".
  4. ↑ "Film Pays Tribute to the Wreck of the J.B. King".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.