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| You are here: Home > Spotlight > Fire
on the HMCS Chicoutimi |
HMCS Chicoutimi: A Chronology of Events
The following is a description of the events surrounding the fire
breakout on the HMCS Chicoutimi:
- August/September 2004 – The HMCS
Chicoutimi is involved in 37 days of extensive sea trials
in Barrow-in-Furness, England. These exercises included
a series of short voyages.
- October 2-3, 2004 – The Canadian
Navy formally accepts the HMCS Chicoutimi from the British
Ministry of Defence at an official ceremony in Faslane,
Scotland. As part of the acceptance ceremony the submarine
(formerly named HMS Upholder) is renamed HMCS Chicoutimi.
- October 4, 2004 – The HMCS Chitcoutimi
and its crew of 57 leave Faslane, Scotland en route to
Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- October 5, 2004 – While off the west
coast of Ireland, two fires break out on the HMCS Chicoutimi;
they are linked to the vessel’s electrical circuits.
As a result of the fires and extensive damage, the Chicoutimi
loses all power and propulsion. Fortunately, the vessel
is on the water’s surface at the time of the fires.
Nine crewmen suffer the effects of serious smoke inhalation.
- October 6, 2004 – The British HMS
Montrose, in addition to several British aircraft and helicopters,
arrive on the scene to assist with rescue efforts . Three
crewmen are immediately evacuated by helicopter to Sligo
Hospital (in the Republic of Ireland). En route to the
hospital, Lt. Chris Saunders dies.
The rest of the crew from the HMCS Chicoutimi are transferred
to the HMS Montrose for showers and hot meals, and so they
can use the communications capabilities of the Montrose
so they contact loved ones.
- October 7-8, 2004 – Electrical supply
and rudder function in the HMCS Chicoutimi are partially
restored. The British specialist tug Anglian Prince, supported
by the US submarine support ship Carolyn Chouest, begins
towing the Chicoutimi back to Faslane, Scotland.
- October 9, 2004 – The Canadian frigate
HMCS St. John’s arrives in the area. The frigate
remains in Faslane, Scotland in support of the HMCS Chicoutimi.
- October 10, 2004 – The HMCS Chicoutimi
arrives safely in Faslane, Scotland.
- October 12, 2004 – The Canadian
Navy announces it will launch an inquiry into the fires
that plagued the HMCS Chicoutimi, also resulting in the
death of Lt. Saunders. The Navy announces that it is docking
the remaining three Victoria-class submarines (HMCS Victoria,
HMCS Windsor, and HMCS Corner Brook), until the cause of
the fire on the HMCS Chicoutimi is determined.
- October 15, 2004 – The majority
of the HMCS Chicoutimi crew return home to Canada from
Faslane, Scotland, on board a Canadian Forces CC-150 Polaris
aircraft.
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