Tracing paper blamed for nuclear submarine crash

A NUCLEAR submarine crashed off the coast of Scotland because senior officers used tracing paper to plot a course, it was revealed yesterday.

Three crewmen were injured when the 4750-ton Hunter-killer sub HMS Trafalgar hit the sea bottom during a training exercise off the Isle of Skye.

Its nuclear reactor was not damaged but repairs to the hull cost £5million. The officers in charge of the exercise and navigation were court martialled and reprimanded.

The Ministry of Defence had vowed never to reveal the results of an official probe into the October 2002 incident, which was revealed by the Record.

But yesterday, Navy chiefs finally handed over the board of inquiry report, which condemned senior officers for serious lapses in navigation.

It found Commander Robert Fancy and Commander Ian McGhie had been too absorbed in conducting a test on a future officer to spot the dangers.