Posted on 10/05/2004 9:35:29 AM PDT by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget
A major rescue effort has been launched off Ireland after a Canadian submarine asked for assistance. The Canadian Defence Force said HMCS Chicoutimi had suffered a mechanical failure and its crew were all safe.
A Royal Air Force Nimrod has been diverted to the area and a search and rescue helicopter from the Royal Navy base in Ayrshire is on its way.
The submarine, which was bought from Britain, is not nuclear-powered or carrying nuclear warheads.
The request for assistance came from the vessel some 100 miles north west of Ireland.
Neil Smith, a spokesman for the Faslane submarine base on the Clyde, said that Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Wave Knight had been turned round and was on its way to the scene.
A Type 23 frigate, HMS Montrose, is being sent from Faslane, accompanied by tug boat support.
"At this moment in time we don't have the exact details," said Mr Smith.
"We are in communication with the people on board.
"We are doing everything we can to assist them, and at this moment in time my colleagues are working hard to make sure that happens as quickly as possible."
They must have lost sight of land.
The Nimrod is a strategic bomber of the RAF.
Is this the same sub that has no weapons?
I don't think it has torpedoes, either. No word on whether it has any spitballs.
Thanks!
Strategic bomber of what? ;^)
As entertaining as "Canadian-bashing" is, a personal knowlege of the kind of men that serve on subs kind of takes the fun out of this one.
The Nimrod is an anti-sub aircraft built from the DeHavilland Comet airliner. It has incredible range and loiter time combined with a relatively high speed and a good weapons load.
It is not a strategic bomber. The last British strategic bomber, the Avro Vulcan was retired shortly after the Falklands war. If the Brits have deliver nukes they rely on Posidon missiles and Tornados.
Lord God, our power evermore,
Whose arm doth reach the ocean floor,
Dive with our men beneath the sea;
Traverse the depths protectively.
O hear us when we pray, and keep
Them safe from peril in the deep.
Damn! America Jr. can't afford to buy new subs?
This is what happens when you get hand-me-downs from the Brits.
For a nation with fewer people than a number of US states to have *any* aviation industry is remarkable. At this rate, given all the companies getting out of the business in the US, they will make it into a cottage industry!
The kind of men who serve on subs would have a good time with this...including the kanukkers. 'Right stuff' includes a self-effacing sense of humor. Trust me.
"A Royal Air Force Nimrod has been diverted to the area..."
Did you see "The Hunt for Red Otober? I believe that was a nimrod the West was running in that movie.
That kind of hunting is illegal in all states except Idaho and Texas. ;-)
I believe it, but that seems to be more appropriate among them than from the ouside. Just MHO.
Prayers for their safety.
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