Ill-fated
Russian nuclear submarine.
Kursk specs:
Commissioned in January, 1995
24 vertical launch tubes
8 torpedo tubes
2.1 tons Plutonium fuel
Suffered one, maybe two, cataclysmic internal explosions on 12 August 2000. All 118
crew members were killed. Hull damage extends from the forward compartment to the conning tower.
The Russian rescue efforts were highly ineffective until western divers entered the
operation. President Vladimir Putin is taking most of the heat for this disaster.
(Information courtesy CNN.com)