View Full Version : Canadian Sub dead in the water
Stiofán
10-06-2004, 05:11 PM
Canada's newest submarine, recently purchased from Britain, suffered a major fire in it's electrical system.
The Chicoutimi (http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/10/06/newhmcschicoutimi041006.html), a diesel electric sub sitting off the Irish coast without propulsion power.
Meanwhile, officials in Canada are looking for answers and someone to blame (http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/10/06/subs041006.html).
tke711
10-06-2004, 05:15 PM
Does that bring their navel ship count to 6? :lol:
Advocat
10-06-2004, 05:52 PM
Does that bring their navel ship count to 6? :lol:
No excuses, it was a treaty boondoggle between the UK and Canada... but the sailors on board the sub are wondering about the voice they heard over the p.a. system just before the fire:
"Ok... A7... <i>Miss</i>... B6... <i>Miss</i>... A8... <i>Damn, hit!</i>" ;)
tke711
10-06-2004, 05:56 PM
On a serious note, I just hope they get all the sailors off safely and hope the one that is in critical condition makes it.
ethics
10-06-2004, 06:15 PM
Canada had a Sub!?!?!
Advocat
10-06-2004, 06:19 PM
Canada had a Sub!?!?!
As part of a deal with the UK, we bought 6 old disel subs, which have been nothing but trouble and for which the budget is skyrocketing.
Part of the reason for buying subs were "sovereignty patrols"... to patrol remote areas of the Arctic seas to maintain Canada's rights to those areas. Subs, after all, can go below the ice packs.
mers2
10-06-2004, 07:05 PM
As part of a deal with the UK, we bought 6 old disel subs, which have been nothing but trouble and for which the budget is skyrocketing.
Part of the reason for buying subs were "sovereignty patrols"... to patrol remote areas of the Arctic seas to maintain Canada's rights to those areas. Subs, after all, can go below the ice packs. A sound idea in these times. But wouldn't it have been a better economical decision to buy new.rather than used. I've seen the figures and these subs have cost an astronomical amount in repairs, parts, refurbishing, etc. and if I'm correct you currently have no subs running.
Stiofán
10-06-2004, 07:18 PM
The above link mentions another sub still on patrol off Nova Scotia.
Advocat
10-06-2004, 07:32 PM
A sound idea in these times. But wouldn't it have been a better economical decision to buy new.rather than used. I've seen the figures and these subs have cost an astronomical amount in repairs, parts, refurbishing, etc. and if I'm correct you currently have no subs running.
Preaching to the choir, here. :)
Advocat
10-06-2004, 07:41 PM
Just confirmed: the death of one sailor in hospital.
IamZed
10-06-2004, 08:01 PM
I thought those boats were dead. The Upholder (now Victoria) class was first commissioned in ’90 and withdrawn from service in ’93 because they were a piece of shit (http://www.brainyencyclopedia.com/encyclopedia/u/up/upholder_class_submarine.html), even though they are newer than Brittan’s present day SSN fleet. Hard to believe Canada bought them a decade later, even if they are just for coastal duty .
ShinyTop
10-06-2004, 08:07 PM
Your link indicated the problems with the Upholder class were solved. My impression from the time was that their withdrawal from service came with the dissolution of the main threat and a desire to have only nuke subs like the US. We made that decision decades ago.
Biker
10-07-2004, 01:05 PM
What one has to remember with Canada, is the current ruling party is and has been extremely anti-military over the past decade. Heaven forbid they actually spend money on something new for the military and have the party faithful scream foul. They'd much rather buy used, and sink countless dollars into the project. Seems to be that way with just about every project they touch.
IamZed
10-07-2004, 01:34 PM
Your link indicated the problems with the Upholder class were solved.Not before comisioning. Two years after commissioning, and one year before decommissioning, it was discovered that not one of them was capable of firing a torpedo (http://www.btinternet.com/~warship/Postwar/Submarines/upholder.htm). You don’t get much worse than that. I agree though, that economic decisions were the final axe, but I’m sure poor performance was a big issue on the table when that decision was made.
Actually if the boats had been sound, it would have been a good buy for Canada. Diesel/Electric boats are perfect for defense purposes.