In my novel Ice Break a large, state-of-the-art icebreaker is hijacked by eco-terrorists and begins to ram and sink fishing boats on the Grand Banks off Newfoundland. But could a normal icebreaker destroy large trawler?
The largest icebreaker in Canada is the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent. At 392.5 feet in length, 80 feet in beam, and over 15,000 tons deadweight, the Louis S. St-Laurent is the queen of the Canadian ice breaking fleet.
The Louis S. St-Laurent was first christened as a steam-powered vessel but was refitted with Mak diesel engines. She has successfully served as an Arctic research platform for the international scientific community. In addition to her scientific duties, Louis S. St-Laurent has also provided escort and resupply services to isolated settlements and commercial operations in the arctic. In this capacity she will take a years’ supply of fuel oil, hard groceries, vehicles and even passengers to these remote places, a symbol of the commitment that the country has toward its northern people.
Yes, the Louis could destroy a trawler. The design of the ship is to crawl over an icepack and ise its weight and sharp keel to crush it. A trawler would suffer the same fate, but rolling over and trapping its crew before breaking up and sinking. It would be a ghastly way to go.
Stumble it!