Most ships scuttled

On 27 November 1942, during the Second World War, the French fleet in Toulon, Southern France, was scuttled on the orders of the French Admiralty, to avoid capture by the German forces. Of some 73 ships sunk, fifty-seven were major vessels including two battleships, two battle cruisers, four heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, an aircraft transport, thirty destroyers and sixteen submarines. Many support vessels such as tugs, cranes, and small ships were also scuttled.