John B. King explosion

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Memorial plaque on Cockburn Island to those who lost their lives in the explosion and sinking of the John B. King drill boat Jb-king-plaque.jpg
Memorial plaque on Cockburn Island to those who lost their lives in the explosion and sinking of the John B. King drill boat
History
Canada
Name: John B. King
Launched: 1863
Fate: Sank June 26, 1930
General characteristics
Length: 140 ft (43 m)
Beam: 50 ft (15 m)
John B. King explosion
DateJune 26, 1930
Time16:30 EST
Location Brockville, Ontario
Coordinates 44°33′46″N75°42′42″W / 44.56283°N 75.71179°W / 44.56283; -75.71179 Coordinates: 44°33′46″N75°42′42″W / 44.56283°N 75.71179°W / 44.56283; -75.71179
CauseLightning
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 in 1930.

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

See also

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The following events occurred in June 1930:

The following index is provided as an overview of and topical guide to recreational dive sites:

References

  1. "John B. King, exploded, 26 May 1930".
  2. "Brockville, ON Ship J. B. King Explodes, June 1930".
  3. "Scuba+H2O, Brockville". Archived from the original on 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  4. "Film Pays Tribute to the Wreck of the J.B. King".