Ripple Rock

Ripple Rock, an underwater mountain in Seymour Narrows of British Columbia, long made one of the coast’s most dangerous passages treacherous with standing waves, eddies, and powerful tidal currents. Named in 1862 by Captain Richards and noted as early as 1791 by George Vancouver, it damaged or sank many vessels; from 1875 to 1958 alone, at least 20 large and 100 smaller ships were lost or damaged, with at least 110 deaths. After decades of failed plans and political debate, engineers tunneled from Maud Island and in 1958 detonated a massive explosive charge beneath the twin peaks, reducing the hazard and creating a celebrated milestone in Canadian maritime and engineering history.

Canada