End of the road for stricken Navy sub

Steve McElroy 1565 - 1565 • Published 19 Oct 2008 08:30 Comments 1 Comment

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The Royal Navy"s longest serving nuclear submarine has been taken out of service five months after hitting rocks in the Red Sea.

But a Navy spokesman denied that damage to HMS Superb has had anything to do with her de-commissioning and claimed that it was because of her age.

The nuclear-powered Faslane based sub, which has been in operation for more than 30 years, hit the headlines in May when she struck rocks in the Red Sea.

None of the 112 crew were injured in the incident, which damaged the vessel"s sonar equipment and forced her to surface. The submarine remained watertight with the nuclear reactor "completely unaffected."

A Faslane spokesman said: 'The de-commissioning was due to the fact that she is the oldest submarine in the fleet.

'She has given great service both to the Royal Navy and the nation.'

The 272 foot attack vessel had passed through the Suez Canal and was in the northern Red sea, 80 miles south of Suez, when she hit an underwater rock pinnacle.

As a result, the submarine was unable to dive and had to limp back to Plymouth, where the White Ensign was lowered for the last time without her returning to Faslane.

The farewell ceremony featured a performance from the Royal Marines Band and contributions from former commanding officers and crew.

HMS Superb, a Swiftsure Class submarine, also known as a "hunter-killer," was one of six made and came into service in 1976.

Four have already been de-commissioned with the final boat, HMS Sceptre, due to end her career in 2010.

Lieutenant Commander John Aitken, Superb"s Commanding Officer, said: 'It is with some sadness that we bring an end to the career of a submarine that has given longer service than any other in the Royal Navy and that occupies a fond place in the hearts of all who have served in her.

'We can look back with pride on her achievements and those of the men who have served in her. However, we also look forward with anticipation to the new challenges that her tight-knit ship"s company will face as they go on to new postings and look forward to the future that Astute will bring.'

Built during the Cold War, HMS Superb was designed to counter threats from Soviet submarines in the Atlantic and protect shipping and NATO operations in the event of a "hot" war erupting.

Following a shift in strategic priorities in the post-Cold War 1990s, Superb"s tasks became more varied.

The submarine recently trained with the Flag Officer Sea Training staff in UK waters, before travelling to Suez.

HMS Superb will be laid up at Devonport Naval Base before a decision is taken on disposal.

This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 16 Oct 08

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shaun franklin
Unregistered User
Feb 18, 07:05
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Would any one who attended the end service for Super 'B' who knew my father, last based at HMS Dolphin Gosport till 1985,

CPO Paul Stephan Franklin would be good enough to contact me please.

I am his son Shaun Franklin, looking for more information on his career & friends

shaunfranklin148@hotmail.co.uk

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