John B. King explosion
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]
| 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) |
| Date | June 26, 1930 |
|---|---|
| Time | 16:30 EST |
| Location | Brockville, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 44.56283°N 75.71179°W |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Casualties | |
| 30 | |
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
References
- "John B. King, exploded, 26 May 1930".
- "Brockville, ON Ship J. B. King Explodes, June 1930".
- "Scuba+H2O, Brockville". Archived from the original on 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
- "Film Pays Tribute to the Wreck of the J.B. King".