HMCS Chicoutimi (SSK 879)

HMCS Chicoutimi at Yokosuka, October 2017
History
United Kingdom
NameUpholder
BuilderVSEL, Barrow-in-Furness
Laid downFebruary 1983
Launched2 December 1986
Commissioned7 December 1990
Decommissioned29 April 1994
IdentificationPennant number S40
FateTransferred to Canada
Badge
Canada
NameChicoutimi
Acquired1998
Commissioned3 September 2015
IdentificationHull number SSK 879
MottoMaître du Domaine
Honours and
awards
Atlantic, 1941–44
StatusShip in active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeUpholder/Victoria-class submarine
Displacement
  • 2,260 long tons (2,296 t) surfaced
  • 2,500 long tons (2,540 t) submerged
Length230 ft 7 in (70.28 m)
Beam23 ft 7 in (7.19 m)
Draught24 ft 11 in (7.59 m)
Speed
  • 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced
  • 20 kn (23 mph; 37 km/h) submerged
Complement48 officers and crew, plus 7 trainees
Armament

HMCS Chicoutimi is a Victoria-class long-range hunter-killer (SSK) submarine of the Royal Canadian Navy, originally built and operated by the Royal Navy as HMS Upholder. Shortly after being handed over by the United Kingdom to Canada she was involved in a partial flooding incident which resulted in a fire at sea. The incident sparked a fierce debate over the value of the purchase of this group of second-hand vessels, as well as the handover inspection process. The subsequent investigation "determined the fire was caused by human, technical and operational factors, [and] the board cleared the commanding officer and crew of any blame."[1] The submarine was repaired and entered Canadian service in 2015.

  1. ^ "Chicoutimi Submarine Fire". Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 5 May 2020.