The crippled Canadian submarine HMCS Chicoutimi arrived by tow Sunday at the British naval base at Faslane, on Scotland's west coast, where investigators were hoping to establish the cause of a fatal fire on board.
The refitted sub, bought used by Canada from Britain, limped into port accompanied by three navy vessels following a rescue operation launched after a fire on board that caused an officer's death, an AFP photographer reported.
The Chicoutimi was making its maiden voyage under the Canadian flag, bound for Halifax, when it was hit by an apparent electrical fire on Tuesday of last week while submerged under rough seas off north-west Ireland.
It was left powerless and forced to endure gale force winds and high seas through the night until a Royal Navy frigate and helicopter came to its aid.
The body of an officer who later died from the effects of smoke inhalation was escorted across Ireland by army and navy guards of honour Sunday before being flown home from Dublin airport.
Lieutenant Chris Saunders, 32, a father of two, died last Wednesday in Sligo Hospital in western Ireland after being airlifted by a British Royal Navy helicopter.
Two sailors injured in the accident were improving in the Sligo Hospital where they are being treated, according to a spokeswoman.
Master Seaman Archibald MacMaster, 41, was in serious but stable condition in the hospital's intensive care unit.
The spokeswoman said Petty Officer 2nd Class Denis Lafleur, also 41, was well enough to be discharged and was expected to leave hospital soon.
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