INNOVATION Centennial Collectors Edition January-February 2020

APRIL 5, 1958 RIPPLE ROCK MEETS ITS DEMISE

After it has claimed more than 20 large vessels, about 100 smaller vessels, and at least 114 lives, officials decided that Ripple Rock—an underwater, two-peak mountain in Seymour Narrows near Campbell River, BC—had to go. Two plans (one in 1943 and another in 1945) involving an on-surface barge and

drillholes into the top of the rock both failed, due to excessive water turbulence. A third plan involved drilling from a nearby island, under the narrows, and up into the rock. A total of 1,270 tonnes of explosives were used. The blast was broadcast on live television. I mages 20463-5 and 19984-3 courtesy of the M useum at C ampbell R iver

1982 SKYTRAIN CONSTRUCTION

A rapid transit system in Vancouver was first considered as early as the 1950s. Skytrain— initially comprising one line with 16 stations—was finally built and placed into service in December 1985. The systemwould later grow to 53 stations over 3 lines. The system is commanded using vehicle-controlled computers communicating to computers on each train, through leaky coax cable laid along the tracks. C ity of V ancouver A rchives , CVA 800-3052. P hoto : A lan J. I ngram

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