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]

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
NameJohn B. King
Launched1863
FateSank June 26, 1930
General characteristics
Length140 ft (43 m)
Beam50 ft (15 m)
John B. King explosion
DateJune 26, 1930
Time16:30 EST
LocationBrockville, Ontario
Coordinates44.56283°N 75.71179°W / 44.56283; -75.71179
CauseLightning
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
  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".
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