[Enterprise]

All together now - AND THE FRENCH IMMEDIATELY SURRENDERED!

[TCats]

“As inquiries began, naval sources said it was a millions-to-one unlucky chance both subs were in the same patch of sea.”

Just as probable as two satellites colliding in space? Given enough time I expect anything is quite probable.

[JoeProBono]

HMS Vanguard ... carries 16 Trident missiles

[Venturer]

They have both been towed in, two Captains are looking for new jobs.

[Evil Slayer]

We got any out there or has bambe recalled them all?

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

This is horrible. Godspeed to all hands.

I don’t know what this is a greater testimony of, the inadequate sonar/radar systems of both subs for detecting other vessels in the area or the incredible stealth characteristics of both subs.

[willgolfforfood]

The English sub was driving on the wrong side of the ocean again.

[aposiopetic]

Franglais?

[blam]

There’s a lot more to this story than we’l ever know.

[gorush]

We saw recently an article about two satellites colliding, I wonder which of these two events was meant to minimize the other.

[Cicero]

If the article is to be credited, this amounts to 25% of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, since I presume that any remaining land-based missiles could probably be taken out. I confess that I haven’t kept up with the nuclear deterrant question for several decades, so I don’t know that for sure.

“Vanguard is one of Britain’s four V-Class subs forming our Trident nuclear deterrent. Each is armed with 16 ballistic missiles.”

If this really was in mid-Atlantic, it’s an extraordinary thing to have happened.

[Viking2002]

'But modern anti-sonar technology is so good it is possible neither boat “saw” the other.'

But since neither country is currently involved in a shooting war, don't ya think it would be a good idea to hit the 'off' switch on that shit? Or at least honk your horn?

[GSP.FAN]

I never got around to posting this,could be connected. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/4547649/French-fighter-planes-grounded-by-computer-virus.html French fighter planes grounded by computer virus.. The French newspaper Ouest France said the virus had hit the internal computer network at the French Navy. Jérome Erulin, French navy spokesman told the paper: "It affected exchanges of information but no information was lost. It was a security problem we had already simulated. We cut the communication links that could have transmitted the virus and 99 per cent of the network is safe." However, the French navy admitted that during the time it took to eradicate the virus, it had to return to more traditional forms of communication: telephone, fax and post.

[Timocrat]

The naval source said: “Crashing a nuclear submarine is as serious as it gets.”

Oh really ?

[Nuc1]

Don’t they drive on different sides of the road?

[ThomasThomas]

Maybe they should have thought about it.

[the OlLine Rebel]

“could have sunk or released deadly radioactivity, it emerged last night.”

This is really a poor choice of words...

[LiberConservative]

LOL! Since nothing bad happened (except for a few bruised egos and the end of two navel careers) this is funny!

And if these guys were Americans the world would be gloating.

[SoftwareEngineer]

There is a LOT to this that does NOT pass the smell test.

I used to be totally against conspiracies but I am beginning to wonder more and more as to how much of the news we hear is the cover story.

(Tinfoil hat alert) If I go into full conspiracy mode right now, I think that the French and British subs were participating JOINTLY against a common threat (Chinese subs in the Altantic?) and this is the result of that interaction.

The question is if this is what happened to the British and French boats what do you think happened to the oppposing boat.

BTW, for all that do not know, the Vanguard class of subs that the Brits have are the third largest subs (by displacement) ever made after the Soviet Typhoons and the Yankee Ohio class subs

[river rat]

I'd bet even money that the Subs were involved in Hare and Hound or “Find the weeny”....

They both lost.....

In any event — both Captains brought their careers to a speedy conclusion...