How engineers destroyed a deadly underwater mountain to save ships from disaster
In short: For over a century, a hidden underwater mountain called Ripple Rock claimed dozens of vessels in a treacherous Canadian channel. This video details the massive engineering feat undertaken in 1953 to eliminate this maritime hazard, resulting in one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded.
Located 150 kilometres north of Victoria, British Columbia, Seymour Narrows was notorious for its dangerous currents. Within this 800-metre-wide channel sat Ripple Rock, a 200-metre-long mountain featuring jagged, fang-like pinnacles. Captain George Vancouver famously labeled this stretch of water as one of the vilest in the world due to the constant threat it posed to navigation.
In 1953, authorities initiated a project to remove the obstacle, leading to a historic demolition effort. The video also includes a bonus segment regarding the unusual historical phenomenon of exploding whales.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Biggest Bang- The Largest Man-Made Non-Nuclear Explosion
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