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. 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. 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. It is a popular dive site, and some divers have lost their lives while diving the wreck. 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. The