Russian submarine Akula (1907)
Akula (; meaning shark) was a submarine built for the Imperial Russian Navy. "Akula" saw service during World War I and sank in November 1915 after hitting a naval mine. Design and construction. The boat was designed by Ivan Bubnov and was an amalgam of the previous and the designs. The design was presented to the Marine technical committee in late 1905 and was ordered in 1906. "Akula" was built at the Baltic shipyard in Saint Petersburg. The vessel was launched on 4 September 1907. Service history. Initially the boat was to use petrol engines but these  were replaced by safer diesels. The boat's design was a single hull/ saddle tank type with a diving depth of 25 fathoms (). Significant initial problems were experienced and the electric motor and propellers which needed to be replaced. "Akula" was the first Russian submarine able to cruise long distances. In 1912 "Akula" made the world's first multi-torpedo volley with five torpedoes. She subsequently served in the Baltic Fleet during World War I making 16 patrols and unsuccessfully attacked the German coastal defense ship . On 10 October 1914, "Akula" ran aground in the Soeloesund. She was refloated with  assistance from the gunboat . She struck a mine and sank near Hiiumaa in November 1915 on her 17th patrol. "Akula" lies about below water. All 35 members of the crew died.