A few days ago the Russian Federation troops flooded decommissioned large anti-submarine ship "Ochakov" in order to block the exit of several Ukrainian courts Donuzlav lake in Crimea. Such actions in the history of the world fleet is not uncommon, so I suggest you learn a few very curious stories flooding warships. Flooding Russian ships in Sevastopol. 1855 In the history of the Russian navy's most famous such incident occurred in 1854-1855 'during the Crimean War. This conflict provoked Britain, France and the Ottoman Empire, from the outset did not develop in Russia's favor. Foreign troops, landed in Yalta on the first day of autumn in 1854, quickly moved along the Crimean coast in the direction of Sevastopol. A battle took place on September 20 at the Alma ended in defeat for Russian troops. Russian command, realizing that the situation could become critical, ordered the flood at the entrance to Sevastopol bay several old ships. While already appeared steam vessel, and therefore there was no need to sailing. They decided to let the water to cover the fleet interventionists insight into the bay. The first seven ships were sunk on 11 September. In November and December went to the bottom two, in February 1855 - six. And on August 27 was flooded the entire rest of the fleet - Russian troops left the southern part of the city. They returned there only in 1856 after the Paris Congress. in 1905 in the bay of Sevastopol was a monument to the scuttled ships - one of the business cards of the city. Cruiser "Varyag". 1904 no less famous case of flooding conscious Russian ships held February 9, 1904 in the waters of the Korean port Chemulpo (now - Incheon). It was the first day of the Russian-Japanese war. Night, several destroyers Land of the Rising Sun had a torpedo attack on a Russian ship anchored in the outer roads of the city of Port Arthur, and in the afternoon the battle began between the cruiser "Varyag", supported by gunboat "Korean", and the Japanese fleet, consisting of fourteen ships. During the short unequal battle cruiser "Varyag" received numerous injuries, and 31 members of his crew was killed. Realizing that further resistance was impossible, Vsevolod Rudnev captain gave the order to return to a position Chemulpo where the "Varyag" was flooded, and "Korean" - blown. Was put on the bottom was also the Russian ship "Songhua River" is in port. feat Russian sailors flooded the vessel, but not have passed their enemy, was enthusiastically received by worldwide, including in Japan, where after the war, even built a museum Memory Russian heroes. International newspapers were full of news about the fate of the "Varyag" and our sailors took with honors along the entire length of the route home in St. Petersburg.
song "The enemy does not surrender our proud Varyag", incidentally, is not of Russian origin, and German. The poem, which served as its basis, the Austrian poet wrote Rudolf based Greynts been read in the press news. Work became known in Russian translated Eugenia Studensky. Music is composed by musician 12th Astrakhan Grenadier Regiment Alex Turishchev. Flooding Navy seas. 1919 In 1919, a similar reason flooded their warships and Germans. The First World War turned to defeat the Kaiser of Germany. The country, which for several centuries could boast the most powerful army in Europe in general has lost the right to establish its own armed forces. A weapon is in its territory be transmitted to other states. Including, and subjected to internment German Navy seas - several dozen warships, considered the pride of Germany. While the allies were deciding between a destiny of this fleet, the ships were in the bay Rock Flow in the Orkney Islands, where at that time housed the main base of the British Navy . The boats were German crews, and overall command carried Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter. Last decided to flood its fleet on the eve of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, that he has not got the Allies. At 10:30 am June 21, 1919 von Reuter ordered the Navy to sink all the ships of the high seas. The sailors raised on their ships naval flags of Germany and opened the seacocks. Britons did not expect such a course of events, and therefore does not have time to thwart German sailors. They managed to save only 22 vessels, 52 went under water. Paradoxically, the British command took the news about the sinking of the German ships with great relief. After all, they now do not have to divide between the allies that will get rid of much debate on this issue. In Germany, Ludwig von Reuter and his subordinates took as heroes. Flooding of the French fleet in Toulon. 1942 And in 1942, the situation was radically different. Germany recovered from defeat in the First World War, was again to have the most powerful army on the continent and has regained its former political power. By this time she managed to capture or subdue almost all of Europe, including France and that would be divided into German-occupied territory and a small client state in the southern part of the country, also controlled part of the French colonies in Africa.
But in November 1942 British and American troops, backed by French patriots occupied North Africa. At the same time they made ​​a pact with the Vichy regime Navy Commander François Darlan that he becomes the leader of the liberated territory. Enraged by these agreements, Hitler ordered German troops enter the balances in mainland France, as well as capture the fleet, which stood at the base in Toulon. German soldiers launched an attack on Toulon to 4:00 am November 27, 1942. Learning of this, the leadership of the French fleet is in port of Toulon, has decided to flood the ships that they have not got the Germans. The water that night took 77 ships. The Nazis managed to save only 3 destroyers, 4 submarines and 40 small craft. Part of the fleet was able to break out and reach the allies liberated Algeria. Flooding ships on Lake Donuzlav. 2014 Donuzlav Lake is one of the most convenient natural harbors Crimea. In Soviet times, it has become one of the bases of the Black Sea Fleet of the USSR, and after 1991 - Ukraine. And during the Crimean crisis in 2014 on Donuzlave started the confrontation between Russian and Ukrainian military.  In early March 2014 the Russian fleet blocked in Donuzlave two Ukrainian warships. A morning of February 6 this blockade was strengthened by the flooding of two old ships BSF - destroyer "Ochakov" and salvage tug "Shakhtar". Prior to this, most of the Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine managed to leave Crimea and arrive in Odessa. antisubmarine ship Ochakov covers the entrance to the lake Donuzlav.