Stories
Canadian Diver Finds Strange Metal Object Sparking 1950 Nuclear Mystery
- •In October 2016, commercial diver Sean Smyrichinsky discovered a bizarre, bagel-shaped metal object while sea cucumber diving off the coast of British Columbia.
- •The unusual find sparked speculation that it could be linked to a 1950 US Air Force incident where a B-36 bomber jettisoned a Mark IV nuclear bomb into the Pacific Ocean.
- •The Royal Canadian Navy deployed HMCS Yellowknife to investigate the yellow-painted object, which measured about 5.5 metres in length.
- •The Navy officially ruled out that the object was unexploded military ordnance or a public safety threat.
- •Despite military investigations and public appeals, the true origin, purpose, and ownership of the mysterious underwater object remain unknown.
Key Questions Answered
In October 2016, a commercial sea cucumber diver named Sean Smyrichinsky found a strange, bagel-shaped metal object measuring about 5.5 metres in length and one metre in height on the seabed near Banks Island, British Columbia.
No, while the discovery fueled speculation regarding a 1950 B-36 bomber accident that jettisoned a Mark IV nuclear weapon in the region, the Royal Canadian Navy investigated the site and confirmed the object was not unexploded military ordnance.
On November 22, 2016, the Royal Canadian Navy deployed HMCS Yellowknife with sonar, a remotely operated vehicle, and dive teams to examine the yellow-painted object beneath eight metres of water. Although they ruled out military ordnance and public danger, they could not determine its true origin or owner.
