Canadian submarine HMCS Chicoutimi has been towed back into Faslane after a nightmare delivery voyage ended in tragedy in an Atlantic storm.

The former HMS Upholder, the last of four diesel-electric powered submarine bought by the Royal Canadian Navy in a deal signed in 1998, had been officially handed over at a ceremony in Faslane, on the Clyde, on October 2.

She sailed for Novia Scotia soon after, but on Tuesday, around 100 miles to the west of Ireland a fire broke out in Chicoutimi which resulted in the death of an officer, Lt Chris Saunders, and serious injury to two others.

The three were airlifted to hospital in Sligo by a Search and Rescue helicopter from HMS Gannet at Prestwick in Scotland, while a number of ships, including Royal Navy frigates HMS Montrose and HMS Marlborough, RFA Wave Knight and RFA Argus, stood by.

Meanwhile the Chicoutimi, drifting without propulsion, was for two days lashed by an Atlantic storm, and the 54 sailors on board endured a pounding for two days before a tow line could be attached.

It has also emerged that a Canadian sailor was nearly swept away to almost certain death while trying to get the tow line attached, but he was rescued by a Royal Navy diver.

She was then slowly towed back to her starting point at Faslane, where a board of inquiry has been initiated and the submarine will be examined by experts.