A ROYAL Navy nuclear submarine sinking towards impact depth was saved moments from disaster.
The depth gauge failed on the decades-old Vanguard-class ship, which was carrying 140 crew members and Trident 2 doomsday missiles in the Atlantic.
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A Royal Navy submarine was saved moments from disaster after it sank towards the deep end (Photo)Credit: Open Government
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The depth gauge failed on the decades-old Vanguard-class ship with 140 crew members (File Photo) Credit: Getty
Such a disaster would also trigger a nightmare rescue mission to retrieve the secret ship and its nuclear reactor before the Russians arrived on the scene.
The submarine was preparing to go on patrol when the dials showing her depth stopped working, leaving her commanders to think she was level while still diving.
It was entering a “danger zone” when engineers on the stern of the 490-foot Vanguard-class vessel spotted a second gauge and raised the alarm.
A source told The Sun: “It’s not the engineer’s job to control the depth of the submarine, but they saw how deep they were and realized something was wrong.
“Technically, the sub was still at a depth we know it can operate at, but if it ever has to go that deep, the entire crew is directed to the action stations.
“That didn’t happen. The submarine was not supposed to be there and was still diving. And if it continued, it’s not worth thinking about.”
The Sun is not naming the submarine or the depths involved for safety reasons.
A Navy source said the near miss showed the safety systems were working.
They added: “If one system fails, you can rely on the other.”
The summit launched an urgent security inquiry, but insiders insisted the drama had not disrupted the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
At least one Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine has been on constant patrol since 1969 to strike back in the event of a doomsday attack.
Britain has four Vanguard-class submarines, but only two are currently operational.
One is undergoing a major overhaul and the other is undergoing sea trials after repairs that ran £300 million over budget.
The Navy said: “We do not comment on operations. Our submarines continue to be deployed around the world, protecting national interests.”
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Britain has four Vanguard-class submarines, but only two are currently operationalCredit: PA: Press Association
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