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Military probes mystery blast in Arctic[Canada]
CanWest News Service ^ | 07 Aug 2008 | Ed Struzik

Posted on 08/08/2008 8:17:36 AM PDT by BGHater

The Canadian military is sending a long-range Aurora aircraft to investigate reports of a mysterious explosion along Canada's Northwest Passage that may have killed several whales.

The drama apparently began in the early-morning hours of July 31, when an Inuit hunting party at an outpost camp at Borden Peninsula on northeastern Baffin Island was alerted to the sound of an explosion, followed by a cloud of black smoke.

An Inuit member of the Canadian Rangers, a military reservist unit stationed in the far North, reported the incident, and said a hunter at the camp saw several dead whales on shore when he went over to investigate.

In a preliminary investigation, DND's Joint Task Force Northern headquarters determined there were no known vessels operating in the area, and it did not know of any activity that could have caused an explosion.

"At this point, we really have very little else to report," says Summer Halliday, a spokeswoman for the Joint Task Force in Yellowknife.

"But we will be sending an Aurora aircraft to do a flyover. The plane is currently up north in the Mackenzie Valley on a routine exercise supporting the RCMP's Operation Nunakput."

Parks Canada will also be on the scene with a boat that's being dispatched from Sirmilik National Park on Bylot Island.

Originally designed for anti-submarine warfare, the Aurora is able to detect and destroy the latest generation of stealth submarines.

But its long-range capabilities are what make it so useful to the military. It can fly for 17 hours and cover 9,266 kilometres without refuelling.

The Aurora is frequently used to search out illegal fishing, illegal immigration, drug trafficking and pollution along Canada's three coastlines.

(Excerpt) Read more at canada.com ...


TOPICS: Canada; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: 200807; 20080731; arctic; aurora; blast; callingartbell; canada; catastrophism; cp140; dynamitefishing; environment; explosion; isolatedincidents; marinebiology; military; northwestpassage; nukethegaywhales; subhunters; submarines; whales
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1 posted on 08/08/2008 8:17:37 AM PDT by BGHater
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To: BGHater

Does Georgia have any anti-submarine capability? Or did the Russians just push the wrong button (again)?


2 posted on 08/08/2008 8:20:26 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (Et si omnes ego non)
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To: BGHater

Perhaps a submarine needed fresh air? I don’t know much about subs. Just a thought. [A seal could set charges for an air hole, I suppose.] Might have needed a chance to launch a missile in a contingency plan. Heck, even the rehearsal of a naval evolution. FRegards ....


3 posted on 08/08/2008 8:22:23 AM PDT by Arthur Wildfire! March ("The internet needs a gatekeeper." -- Hillary Rodham [Clinton])
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To: BGHater

Some Cajuns were just doing some fishing.


4 posted on 08/08/2008 8:22:54 AM PDT by crusty old prospector
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To: ClearCase_guy

“Does Georgia have any anti-submarine capability?”

Or ... does Georgia have a nuclear sub?


5 posted on 08/08/2008 8:23:26 AM PDT by Arthur Wildfire! March ("The internet needs a gatekeeper." -- Hillary Rodham [Clinton])
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To: ClearCase_guy
More likely a rerun of the 1908 Tunguska blast.

(When did Canada get the Aurora?)


6 posted on 08/08/2008 8:25:22 AM PDT by null and void (Barack Obama - International Man of Mystery...)
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To: BGHater

Russian Subs, count off:

One

Two

Three

....


7 posted on 08/08/2008 8:25:34 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: null and void

My thoughts exactly! Dang, them are supposed to be Top Secret.


8 posted on 08/08/2008 8:27:25 AM PDT by CholeraJoe ("Space may be the final frontier, But it's made in a Hollywood basement")
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To: Arthur Wildfire! March

“Or ... does Georgia have a nuclear sub?”

The real question is ... Does Georgia have any subs?


9 posted on 08/08/2008 8:29:57 AM PDT by PJBankard (Americans love a winner, and will not tolerate a loser. -Gen. George Patton)
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To: TomGuy; BGHater
All right! I confess.

Someone must have stolen the

NUKE THE WHALES

bumpersticker I had on a 61 Volvo station wagon I junked about 35 years ago. Sorry. Bad joke.

10 posted on 08/08/2008 8:30:53 AM PDT by Kenny Bunk (GOP Plank: Pump MORE US Crude--2Xrefining capacity -- Coal /METHANOL fuel-- Build Nukes)
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To: crusty old prospector
Yup.

Old Tiktuk was out whale fishin' again with twenty sticks of dynamite.

Or maybe this was an al Qaeda ice bound IED attack on the eskimos and an unsuspecting convoy of whales got caught up in the fray.

11 posted on 08/08/2008 8:31:10 AM PDT by R_Kangel (`.`)
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To: BGHater
Wow. Whale flatulence? Who knew. Hmgh.


12 posted on 08/08/2008 8:31:50 AM PDT by Stewie (Why you toddering fen-sucked dewberry! I'm going to go find something to strike you with! Excuse me.)
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To: BGHater
In a preliminary investigation, DND's Joint Task Force Northern headquarters determined there were no known vessels operating in the area

Did they roll 2D20 for discovery? (Ok, time to sit back and see if anyone gets this arcane reference)

13 posted on 08/08/2008 8:33:28 AM PDT by Tennessee_Bob ("Those who "abjure" violence can only do so because others are committing violence on their behalf.")
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To: CholeraJoe; null and void
Someone fired up that particle beam accelerator early and opened a worm hole.
14 posted on 08/08/2008 8:33:29 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (We're a non Soros non lefitst supporting maverick Gang of 2, who won't be voting for McCain.)
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To: BGHater

Fox Mulder?


15 posted on 08/08/2008 8:33:33 AM PDT by xcamel (Conservatives start smart, and get rich, liberals start rich, and get stupid.)
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To: PJBankard

“There will be wars and rumors of war ... “


16 posted on 08/08/2008 8:35:32 AM PDT by Arthur Wildfire! March ("The internet needs a gatekeeper." -- Hillary Rodham [Clinton])
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To: Kenny Bunk

17 posted on 08/08/2008 8:36:58 AM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BGHater
Lockheed CP-140 reconnaissance Aircraft (Aurora)

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/images/uploaded-images/2008-6/17810.jpg

18 posted on 08/08/2008 8:39:21 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (We're a non Soros non lefitst supporting maverick Gang of 2, who won't be voting for McCain.)
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To: BGHater; GMMAC; Clive; exg; kanawa; conniew; backhoe; -YYZ-; Former Proud Canadian; Squawk 8888; ...

19 posted on 08/08/2008 8:39:57 AM PDT by fanfan (SCC:Canadians have constitutional protection to all opinions, as long as they are based on the facts)
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To: crusty old prospector

“Dey useee dem Dupont Lures (half stick of dynamite) fo’ sure”.


20 posted on 08/08/2008 8:41:03 AM PDT by U S Army EOD (Say Cheese.)
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To: BGHater

Whale freedom fighters killed in a work accident.


21 posted on 08/08/2008 8:41:38 AM PDT by Soliton (> 100)
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To: Soliton; All

Speaking of Whales, classic Whale blowup.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vmnq5dBF7Y


22 posted on 08/08/2008 8:44:50 AM PDT by BGHater (Democracy is the road to socialism.)
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To: PJBankard

“Does Georgia have any subs?”
No. But they do have exploding peaches.


23 posted on 08/08/2008 8:44:52 AM PDT by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra ("Don't touch that thing")
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To: U S Army EOD

“Dey useee dem Dupont Lures (half stick of dynamite) fo’ sure”.

Up here we call ‘em “CIL Willow Leafs”

Unsurprisingly, Canadian Industries Limited is the historical provider of explosives in the GWN.


24 posted on 08/08/2008 8:46:05 AM PDT by headsonpikes (Genocide is the highest sacrament of socialism.)
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To: BenLurkin
Ben, I am withdrawing Guilty Plea.

This was obviously a Muslim Whale Bomb Shop Accident. Been some problems. Female Muslim Whales claim the explosive vest makes'em look fat.

25 posted on 08/08/2008 8:48:38 AM PDT by Kenny Bunk (GOP Plank: Pump MORE US Crude--2Xrefining capacity -- Coal /METHANOL fuel-- Build Nukes)
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To: BGHater

Sounds like dynamite fishing to me ( AKA blast fishing), only in a very big way.


26 posted on 08/08/2008 8:49:16 AM PDT by Gator113 (Drill here, drill now...... or die.)
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To: U S Army EOD
Fo 'sho Boudreaux, dem whales blowed up real good.


27 posted on 08/08/2008 8:54:48 AM PDT by crusty old prospector
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To: Kenny Bunk
Just about my favorite all time bumper sticker read....

"Nuke a homosexual Iranian Whale for Jesus"

28 posted on 08/08/2008 9:07:27 AM PDT by Random Access
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To: Tennessee_Bob
Did they roll 2D20 for discovery?

Shouldn't it be 2D10 (percentile)?

Aragorn - Master of the Arcane

29 posted on 08/08/2008 9:12:46 AM PDT by aragorn (Master of the Arcane)
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To: Tennessee_Bob

off to the dungeon with you!!!


30 posted on 08/08/2008 9:12:58 AM PDT by MortMan (Those who stand for nothing fall for anything. - Alexander Hamilton)
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To: BGHater

Why just the other day they were talking about the recent discovery of numerous volcanoes under the polar ice.

There are tons of volcanoes on the ocean floor.

I wonder what would cause an explosion and belching of dark clouds of gas?


31 posted on 08/08/2008 9:19:24 AM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: Random Access
Thank you for not saying a "Queer" Iranian Whale.

While you are not quite there yet, you are well on the road toward politically correct speech patterns. Please stay away from the HR Department until I certify the completion of your progress toward that worthy goal: Total PC!

Before saying anything for the rest of the day, stop and think

"What would Obama say?"

32 posted on 08/08/2008 9:27:28 AM PDT by Kenny Bunk (GOP Plank: Pump MORE US Crude--2Xrefining capacity -- Coal /METHANOL fuel-- Build Nukes)
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To: BGHater
Maybe they ought to issue Innuit hunting parties cameras, or the Canadian Rangers will be chasing flying saucers before long.

... I want to believe...

33 posted on 08/08/2008 9:34:29 AM PDT by Publius6961 (You're Government, it's not your money, and you never have to show a profit.)
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To: null and void

Canada bought the Auroras in the late 1970s as replacements for the Argus patrol planes.


34 posted on 08/08/2008 9:38:09 AM PDT by Squawk 8888 (TSA and DHS are jobs programs for people who are not smart enough to flip burgers)
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To: BGHater

Think you used enough dynamite there, Butch?


35 posted on 08/08/2008 10:06:54 AM PDT by colorado tanker (Number nine, number nine, number nine . . .)
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To: BGHater

Maybe the whales were gay?

You would have had to see the bumper sticker...


36 posted on 08/08/2008 10:09:21 AM PDT by listenhillary (Obama - The Wizard of Uhs)
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To: crusty old prospector; Delmont

Hugh finally fell thru the ice?

37 posted on 08/08/2008 10:23:36 AM PDT by ErnBatavia (...forward this to your 10 very best friends....)
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To: BGHater

BUMP for later read


38 posted on 08/08/2008 10:27:29 AM PDT by Bender2 ("I've got a twisted sense of humor, and everything amuses me." RAH Beyond this Horizon)
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To: Bender2

Look at that. Arthur March and DoughtyOne on the same thread. I remember those two from the heady days of the breaking Lewinsky scandal. The traffic shut FR down for the entire first weekend. I so miss Big Bill!


39 posted on 08/08/2008 10:46:48 AM PDT by atc23
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To: ErnBatavia

My thoughts exactly Mr Bata-via. Eiher Hugh, like you mentioned , or perhaps they had enough of Rick’s whining and took him up and then blew up his body with dynamite.

But do not underestimate our friend Drew, he may have finally been allowed to haul something and he was either hauling high explosives or gasoline and looked in the tank, using his cifarette lighter for light.


40 posted on 08/08/2008 11:09:11 AM PDT by Delmont
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To: UCANSEE2; ErnBatavia

Good idea, you know how there was that methane lake in Africa, the methane is held at bottom becuase of water pressure, then when shaken up, like holding your thumb over a bottle of soda before spraying your buddy with soda.
With all the water holding it down, then a few feet of ice at the surface, when it was stirred up and ignited, it would be a wonderful conflagration of fire and ice!!
Whopeeee!!!!


41 posted on 08/08/2008 11:17:23 AM PDT by Delmont
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To: BBell; 75thOVI; aimhigh; Alice in Wonderland; AndrewC; aristotleman; Avoiding_Sulla; BenLurkin; ...
Thanks bbell.
 
Catastrophism
· join · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post new topic ·

42 posted on 08/08/2008 12:40:16 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_______Profile hasn't been updated since Friday, May 30, 2008)
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To: BGHater

UFO crashed, don’t look Ethel.


43 posted on 08/08/2008 12:49:41 PM PDT by Waco
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To: Waco
UFO crashed, don’t look Ethel.

Too late - she dun been probed.

44 posted on 08/08/2008 1:12:37 PM PDT by numberonepal (Don't Even Think About Treading On Me)
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To: PJBankard

There is a sub base at King’s Bay, GA. Oh you mean the other Georgia.


45 posted on 08/08/2008 11:37:58 PM PDT by rdl6989
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To: Squawk 8888

“Canada bought the Auroras in the late 1970s as replacements for the Argus patrol planes.”

As a military brat, I used to love seeing the Argus at NS Roosey Roads, PR.

The roar of it’s four engines was unforgettable.

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001248


46 posted on 08/09/2008 9:04:14 PM PDT by Levante
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To: Eaker; humblegunner; Xenalyte; Allegra; Squantos
The Canadian military is sending a long-range Aurora aircraft to investigate reports of a mysterious explosion along Canada's Northwest Passage that may have killed several whales.

I don't suppose you know anything about this...

47 posted on 08/09/2008 9:07:58 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: Cindy

isolated incident ping


48 posted on 08/18/2008 6:56:48 PM PDT by piasa (Attitude Adjustments Offered Here Free of Charge)
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To: Grizzled Bear

Mystery of Arctic explosion and dead whales likely to remain
The Edmonton Journal
Published: Saturday, August 09, 2008 via Calgary Herald

An explosion that allegedly killed several whales in Canada’s Northwest Passage in late July will likely remain a mystery.

A Transport Canada helicopter on board the Canadian Coast Guard ship Henry Larsen did a fly over of north Baffin Island on Friday and found no sign of dead whales or an explosion, says Summer Halliday, a spokeswoman for the Department of National Defence.

Defence officials were put on alert earlier this week when an Inuit ranger camped in the area passed on a report from a civilian colleague who heard the explosion and spotted the black cloud of smoke that followed. The report to DND suggested that several whales had been killed.

DND had intended on sending a long range C-140 Aurora aircraft to the area to investigate. But since the Henry Larsen was already in the area, a helicopter was dispatched from the ship.

A government source who asked not to be identified said it is not surprising that nothing was found considering it’s been more than a week since the alleged explosion. If an explosion had occurred, he said, whatever caused it would have been long gone. Polar bears could have also eaten the carcasses of any whales that may have been killed.


49 posted on 08/18/2008 7:06:59 PM PDT by piasa (Attitude Adjustments Offered Here Free of Charge)
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To: piasa; Eaker; humblegunner; Xenalyte; Allegra; Squantos

Thanks for the info, but I’m trying to see if my friends actually had anything to do with the event. Blowing things up is their hobby.


50 posted on 08/18/2008 7:12:08 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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