The Sad Case of the Stuck Submarine

I recently revisited this article from about a year ago, and thought it might be worth recalling.  Seems a British submarine ran aground as it was conducting sea trials off the western coast of Scotland near the Isle of Skye. 

You can still read the article at the web address following.  It should come as no surprise that the best sentence in the entire story, as I read and copied it a year ago, has been removed.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/10/22/britain.submarine/index.html?hpt=P1&iref=NS1

Here’s an excerpt, with thanks to CNN.  See if you can identify the most interesting comment.

British nuclear sub gets stuck off Scottish coast

By the CNN Wire Staff / October 22, 2010

London, England (CNN) -- A recently-christened British submarine foundered off the coast of a Scottish island when it got caught in rocks, the Ministry of Defense said Friday.

"We are aware of an incident involving one of our submarines off the Isle of Skye," a spokesman told CNN. "We are responding to the incident and can confirm that there... is no indication of any environmental impact."

The sub is HMS Astute, described by the ministry as Britain's "most powerful attack submarine."

The submarine was undertaking sea trials when it ran aground. People were transported out of the craft. The ministry emphasized that only a part of the submarine was stuck.

The part about the people being transported out of the submarine was fairly interesting.  I wonder where they went.  I have always wanted to go to the Isle of Skye, but I never considered arriving by submarine.  Until I read this, of course.  Now, on to the main point… for those of you who are able to continue onward…

Did you notice the disclaimer?  Apparently only “part” of the submarine was stuck.  The Ministry of Defense “emphasized” that point.  How astute and significant a comment!  I am certain that the good people of Britain were relieved to learn that only part of the submarine was stuck, rather than the whole thing.  This does raise a question.  Were those parts of the sub which were not stuck able to continue the transit, or did they remain with the stuck part?

Sometimes, in the attempt to excuse or downplay a mistake, accident, error or mishap, people make themselves look fairly goofy.



“That’s not what I meant when I said to

make her fast!” – Captain of HMS Astute



Epilogue:  You might also be interested in knowing that during the rescue operation that followed, there was a collision between the sub and the towing vessel.  As any sailor can tell you, a collision at sea can ruin your whole day.  Especially when it comes right after a grounding.

For those of you who are worried, HMS Astute did finally limp into port under her own power, no one was seriously injured, and the submarine has been fully repaired.  I’m not so sure that is the case with regard to the career of the captain or navigator.

Gryphem