French Submarine Accidents

30 March, 1994 - The Emeraude suffers a leak in a high pressure steam line in the turbine room while operating near the islands of Corsica and Toulon. 10 crewmen, including the Commanding Officer, are killed. The Emeraude returns to its base at Toulon under emergency diesel power.
(Navy Times, 11 April, 1994)

11 October, 1972 - The La Sirene sinks while moored when water comes in through a torpedo tube. No one is injured.
(Adkins & Handler, pg. 44)

20 August, 1970 - The Galatee collides with the South African submarine Maria von Riebeeck while both are operating on the surface off Toulon, France. 4 men are killed.
(Adkins & Handler, pg. 40)

4 March, 1970 - The Eurydice (another Daphne-class diesel-electric attack submarine) founders during a naval exercise off Toulon, France. All 57 officers and crew are killed.
(La Tragedie de la Minerve, Adkins & Handler, pg. 40)

27 January, 1968 - The Minerve (a Daphne-class diesel-electric attack submarine) sinks in the Mediterranean off Toulon, France during a naval exercise. The entire crew of 52 is killed.  The submarine has never been located, and the cause never determined.
(La Tragedie de la Minerve, Adkins & Handler, pg. 35)

25 September, 1952 - The Sibylle (ex-HMS Sportsman) founders during a dive off Toulon, France. The cause of the accident is not known. It is believed that the submarine's hull is imploded by ocean pressure. 46 officers and crew are killed.
(Adkins & Handler, pg. 15)

5 December, 1946 - The 2326, an ex-German U-Boat, sinks in the Mediterranean while carrying out testing. 21 crewmen are killed.
(Adkins & Handler, pg. 12)

1 March, 1946 - The French diesel submarine Orphee suffers an explosion in Casablanca, Morocco. Two crewmen are killed.
(Adkins & Handler, pg. 12)

Return to Foreign Submarine Accidents.

I would like to take the time to thank Rene Autret, who has written an excellent web site concerning the loss of Minerve.  This web site also covers the loss of Eurydice, as well as other notible French submarine accidents.  - La Tragedie de la Minerve
 

This page last updated on 25 January, 1998.