Historical Events tagged with "scilly"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Accidents & Tragedies

Sikorsky S-61 Crash Off Isles of Scilly

July 16th, 1983 41 years ago

A Sikorsky S-61 helicopter crashed near the Isles of Scilly, resulting in the deaths of all 20 people onboard. The helicopter was en route to the Isles when it lost altitude and struck the water under unknown circumstances. This incident marked one of the significant accidents in aviation history, drawing attention to safety practices in helicopter operations.

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Transportation & Infrastructure

British Naval Disaster Leads to Longitude Act

November 2nd, 1707 317 years ago

Four British naval vessels, including the HMS Association, ran aground on the Isles of Scilly due to navigational errors stemming from inaccurate maps and poor understanding of longitude. The wrecks resulted in the loss of over 1,400 lives and highlighted the urgent need for effective marine navigation techniques. In response, the British Parliament enacted the Longitude Act, aiming to improve navigation and prevent future disasters. The Act offered a reward for the development of a reliable method for determining longitude at sea.

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