Call for sunken submarine inquest

The submarine is an official military grave 300ft under the surface

The release of a new book about the sinking of a British submarine 56 years ago, in which 75 men died, has led to calls for an inquiry into the disaster.

HMS Affray sailed from Gosport, Hants, on a routine training exercise in April 1951 but never returned.

It was found two months later 46 miles (74km) south of Portland in Dorset.

Author Alan Gallop claim the submarine was unfit to sail but the MoD said the sinking was investigated at the time and no evidence to support this.

Several crew members told their wives and families before they sailed that they had misgivings about [the submarine's] condition Alan Gallop

Mr Gallop, 58, from Ashford in Middlesex, said he found memos showing officers were criticised for passing the vessel fit for sea as he researched his new book about the disaster, Subsmash: The Mystery Of HMS Submarine Affray.

John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, Middlesex, has now put down an Early Day Motion asking for a re-examination of the circumstances.

Mr Gallop said: "The submarine had a history of mechanical problems and should never have been sent to sea.

"Several crew members told their wives and families before they sailed that they had misgivings about its condition, although it has never been proved what happened to HMS Affray."

He said the Admiralty had criticised officers who allowed the submarine to leave port.

"Although the Admiralty of the day did everything possible to find the missing submarine, it was afraid that its reputation would be tarnished if it became known that they had allowed 75 men to go to their deaths in a vessel that was far from perfect," he said.

Experienced officer

Mark Durkin, Ministry of Defence spokesman, said: "The same allegations were made and rejected at the time.

He said the submarine was passed by an experienced officer and there was no evidence to suggest it was unfit for sea.

"Unless [there is] new evidence to suggest otherwise, there is no plan for a new inquiry," Mr Durkin added.

Affray left the port on 16 April and submerged about 30 miles (48km) south of the Isle of Wight, but when it failed to surface the next day a huge sea and air search was launched.

The submarine was eventually found at 300ft (91m) two months later and was designated an official military grave.

The sinking has been described as the worst British submarine accident since World War II claiming the lives of 75 officers and ratings.

The vessel was never recovered because the depth at which it sunk and the distance from the coast made a full salvage operation impossible.