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The US has lost several, as have the Soviets and Russians.
by mikeash 8y ago
The US has lost several, as have the Soviets and Russians.
- arcticbull 8y ago92 lost nuclear warheads including one near Seattle/Vancouver, one near New York and one near Miami (https://genecurtis.wordpress.com/2011/11/12/lost-nuclear-bombs/ https://genecurtis.wordpress.com/2011/11/12/lost-nuclear-bom...)
- austincheney 8y agoJust for clarification its not anywhere near Miami (that is a small map graphic). It is right off the coast of Savannah, GA. There have been numerous books written about it and there is a wikipedia page about it.
- arcticbull 8y agoYep, you're absolutely right. I'd heard about the other two, I just assumed the third even though it’s listed in my link X_x
- mikeash 8y agoIt's worth noting that, as long as they don't explode (or get stolen), a lost nuclear warhead is pretty benign. They contain a relatively small amount (a few dozen pounds) of low-activity nuclear material and it all tends to stay together. A reactor contains way more material, probably several tons at least. If it's been operating, it contains lots of nasty, highly-radioactive fission and decay products. Reactors also like to go all melty and sometimes (non-nuclear) explodey when they fail, although I suspect that's less of a factor when it's underwater.
- Someone1234 8y agoYou're right[0]. Terrifying. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_navy#Accidents_involving_naval_nuclear-powered_vessels https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_navy#Accidents_involvi...
- mikeash 8y agoIf you must dump an operating nuclear reactor somewhere with no supervision, at least the deep ocean is a pretty good place to do it. I mean, far better not to do it at all, but it could be worse....