Consequences and issues for the Navy
From the end of the 1960s, France embarked on an ambitious programme to launch ballistic missile submarines (SNLE). They formed the basis of its nuclear deterrence policy. There was a considerable need for submariners, who would have to be 4 times more numerous.
The tragedy of La Minerve was followed by several others. This is likely to dissuade sailors, who must be volunteers, from choosing submarines. For the navy, the stakes are high, and the country's entire defence policy could be compromised.
Accidents involving Daphne submarines
Daphne-type submarines like the Minerve would experience a series of accidents:
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On January 27, 1968, the Minerve disappeared with 52 men on board,
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Le March 4, 1970, the Eurydice sank with 57 men on board,
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On August 21, 1970, the Galatea, on the surface, struck a South African submarine in the harbor of Toulon, killing 6 people,
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On February 19, 1971, the Flore narrowly escaped sinking following a massive influx of water through the snorkel.
The Redoubtable, the Terrible and the Lightning Photo ECP Armies F73245
Increased need for submariners
About 10% of the volunteers gave up pursuing their career on this type of boat. This point posed a real problem at the time of France's entry into the world of nuclear submarines, for which conventional submarines were a breeding ground.
It was necessary to more than double the number of submariners in those years. A nuclear submarine with 2 crews of 125 people, plus the management is to be compared to the crew of a conventional submarine which included a crew of around 50 people.
When I arrived they were giving masses, when I left they were giving parties
When Admiral JOIRE-NOULENS was appointed Chief of Submarines in February 1971, another serious accident was narrowly avoided on the submarine Flore. Aware of the impact of these serial accidents on the attractiveness of submarines to sailors, he set out to ensure that such accidents never happened again.
He tackled the problem from a number of angles, including the influence of sailors' wives on the career choices of their husbands or fiancés.
He succeeded, and soon the confidence of the submariners was restored, enabling him to declare later when talking about his action:
‘When I arrived they were giving masses, when I left they were giving parties’.