Pretty Good Cover Up or an In-port Fire of No Consequence

Background

While US ballistic missile subs are designated SSBNs, the official French designation is SNLE-NG (Sous-Marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins de Nouvelle Génération).

Since 1972, ’Île Longue (Long Island) located in the Atlantic harbor at Brest, has been the homeport of France's 4 ballistic missile subs. ’Île Longue provides maintenance between deterrent patrols as well as depots for storage of nuclear warheads and reactor fuel. Naturally the’Île Longue base is home to two or more highly-classified nuclear installations.

The French ballistic missile submarine Triomphant (S616) entered active service in March of 1997.  On a night in early February of 2009, Triomphant collided with the Royal Navy submarine HMS Vanguard.    Le Triomphant, the oldest of its class, reportedly proceeded to Brest submerged with extensive damages to her sonar dome.   

This will probably not be news to members of various wardrooms, sub groups, etc. and others with access to classified intel.
 

Belated News that dies or Sketchy Leak with Legs?

Published November 21, 2015  |   By Editor -
(The incident dates back to August 2015):

Île Longue. Un incendie sur le Triomphant en travaux  (untranslated)
Reportedly, a fire broke out in the boiler of nuclear submarine Le Triomphant which was docked in its base Ile Longue (Finistère). Since August 4, the crew has resumed onboard operations with normal work restored.  

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M.E. Note:  Readers need to be aware of a language peculiarity we found.  Apparently, the term "boiler" can be confused in translation with "nuclear reactor vessel". Decide for yourselves:

" ...fuel elements of her nuclear boiler...".    

"Nuclear boiler" [reactor fire ? ]. See what we mean?  It is very easy to understand why a related incident in a strategic nuclear sub would have been highly classified by national secrecy and placed beneath the reach of the French press.  

What is very difficult to understand is the misplaced patriotism or political leanings of those responsible for leaking such an item in the midst of France's internal terrorism scare.  

To those enemies of France and the free world Molten Eagle says,

Vive la France !  (translation: Long live France!)

Submarines are always silent and strange.

 

Submarine Questions of the Month

 UPDATE: 17 August 2015 - "New Clinton email count: 305 documents referred with  potentially classified information" The Washington Post

Background  

A matter of sensitive classified intelligence has been in the news lately.

Oddly, an unrelated sensitive intel matter surfaced this month.  Was this just a fantastic coincidience. or is it actually part of an elaborabte political scheme to vindicate Hillary Clinton's horrible use of a private server for e-mails including TOP SECRET documents, for whiich she has been under investigation by the United States Department of Justice?
 
[re: blockbuster submarine thriller [the 1990 film]... The Hunt for Red October]
The Navy gave the filmmakers unprecedented access to their submarines, allowing them to photograph unclassified sections of USS Chicago and USS Portsmouth to use in set and prop design. Key cast and crew members took rides in subs including Alec Baldwin and Scott Glenn taking an overnight trip on the USS Salt Lake City. Glenn, who played the commander of the USS Dallas, trained for his role by temporarily assuming the identity of a submarine captain on board the USS Houston (which portrayed the USS Dallas in most scenes).[1]

 from Molten Eagle in 2008

MYSTERY QUESTION #1: On which SSN did Tom Clancy make that particular ride?

Answer: One little-known event was a brief ride into port aboard the USS Hammerhead (SSN-663.

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After reading Tom Clancy's just published (in 1984) book The Hunt for Red October, I mentioned during lunch with a former navy nuclear power guy that Clancy must have received huge input, including previously classified information, from the service to ensure the book's success.

My nuke friend, whose father worked in Boston's publishing industry, heartily disagreed with my opinion. The truth, after thirty-one years, has become somewhat clearer due to recent disclosure by a former O-6 submariner with personal knowledge.

Submarine Questions of the Month

1 -  Did Clancy's "The Hunt for Red October" disclose some, previously classified submarine information provided by the U.S. Navy?

2 -  Identify the insider who has recently told his story of how the information was actually provided to author Clancy.

3 -  According to the O-6, who probably provided some submarine intel to Tom Clancy?

4 -  Could the Navy have delayed indefinitely the publication of Clancy's book and prosecuted the guilty had it wished?

5 -  Give 3 probable motivations for the Navy not to go to court.

ANSWERS: Tuesday, 18 August 2015.

Submarines are always silent and strange.