error." Many people have spoken out against Canada's sub- Case Questions marine program, alleging that the submarines purchased from 1. How do you account for the different initial Canadian an the British had many technical faults. Another report by the British medla accounts of this event? Canadian Press Newswire Indicated that even the British press 2. From an attribution theory perspective, what purpose di had reported that the Chicoutimi, formerly HMS Upholder, had the Inquiry Board serve? had many problems with Its electrical systems, 3. How do you account for the positions of the British High It is clear that the British perspective on the Incident was Commissioner and the shipyard workers? more one of human error than mechanical or technical fallure. For example, Captain Mike Finney, a British Navy officer, toid Sources: "Chronology of Events Surrounding the Fire Aboard the BBC that "The first Indications are that the problem has HMCS Chicoutimi and the Death of Lieut. Chris Saunders," nothing to do with any technical aspect on board of the boat, or Canadian Press Newswire, October 8, 2004 (Electronic version]; the design or build." Also, the Daily News In Hallfax reported "News Report Suggests Failure of Key Piece of Equipment Caused Deadly Sub Fire," Canadian Press Newswire, November 24, 2004 that one of the main refitters of the Chicoutim/ said, "There was (Electronlo version]; "Sub Crew Denles Errors to Blame," Sudbury nothing wrong with the boat." Further, he fell that the submarine Star, October 16, 2004, p. A1 [Electronic version]; Mike had been kept In showroom condition and whatever faults It Blanchffeld, "Most Canadians Blame Military for Sub Fire," Leader might have had in the past had been fixed, Lastly, the Calgary Post, October 90, 2004, p. F11 (Electronic version]; Murray Herald reported that an unnamed source had told London's Brewster, "Sparks Aboard Chloout/ Suggest Loose Electrical Mall on Sunday that crewmembers had left open hatches and Connections: Expert," Canadian Press Newswire, October 13, seawater had poured in, causing short circula and the fire. 2004 (Electronic version]: Bruce Camplon-Smith, "Sub Fire Disaster Claims Crewman; What Happened? Blaze Worse then On February 1, 2005, the Chicoutim/ arrived In Hallfax har- Navy Initially Stated Sellor Dies After Airlift to Irish Hospital Fire bour aboard a Norwegian sealift vessel. Although an Initial Worse than First Reported," Toronto Star, October 7, 2004 Investigation into the matter was concluded in December [Electronic version]; Murray Brewster, "Brit; Sub Kept In Show- 2004, the HMCS Chicoutim/ Board of Inquiry has reconvened Room Condition," Dally News, October 16, 2004, p. 4 [Electronic \\ and will seek further testimony from crewmembers regarding versionj: Eaves Sutton, "Human Error Caused Sub's Falel Fire: Sea events that happened. A final report was made public in early Poured In After Hatch Left Open," Calgary Herald, November 7, May 2005 (see http://www.veds.forces.go.ca/bol_chiooutlml/ 2004. p. A1 [Electronic version); Murray Brewster, "Crippled Sub Intro_e.asp for the complete report), which cleared the com- Slips Quietly Into Halifax," Kingston Whig-Standard, February 2, 2005, p. 10 [Electronic version]; "HMCS Chicourim/ Board of mander and crew of any wrongdoing. Indeed, Defence Inquiry Re-Convened, " http:/www.navy.forces,go,ce/mspa_news/ Minister Bill Graham simply stated that this was an accident. news_e.asp?ld-92; Paul Koring and Jeff Sallot (with Shawna Since this report, David Reddaway, the British High Alcher), "Unhappy with Chicoutim/ Report, Admiral Demands Commissioner to Canada, has suggested that the tragedy was Closer Look at Captain's Decisions," The Globe and Mall, a result of inappropriate operating conditions (e.g., leaving February 2. 2005, pp. At, A4; Richard Foot, "Naval inquiry Clears hatches open In rough seas), not the condition of the sub- Chicoulimi's Crew After Fatal Fire," Edmonton Journal, May 6, marines. Further, workers at the yard that built the submarines 2005, p. A5: Paul Egan, "Brilish Diplomat Blames "Open Door' for Sub Death," Colonist, May 19, 2005, p. B10; "Year After Fatal Fire, Insist that they were well built. Sub Crew to Be Honoured," Toronto Star October 6, 2005, p. A13. Meanwhile the final cost to Canadian taxpayers of making the Chicoutim/ seaworthy Is reported to be $100 million.This was a major news story In Canada and it received wide coverage. Initial media accounts provided updates on In 2004 the Canadian navy took possession of the last of four the condition of the Injured as well as the remaining crew and Victoria-class submarines It had purchased from the British navy. the submarine Itself as It was being towed back to Scotland. The submarine, renamed the Chicoutimi, set sail from Faslane, An' Immediate question, among others, was why did this Scotland, for Halifax. On October 5, 2004, about 200 kilometres happen? Many responses generally reflected a Canadian or west of Ireland, there was a serious fire aboard the Chicoutimi, British perspective. Initial reports indicated that the crewmembers were fine. The Canadian perspective suggested that these tragic However, a later report Indicated that all 57 crewmembers were events were caused by technical problems with the submarine, safe, although a few were suffering from smoke Inhalation. A later not human error. The Canadian Press Newswire referred to a report indicated that the fire had caused serious damage aboard CBC news report that suggested a key place of equipment, an the submarine and that there had been a smaller second fire that alr-vent valve, might have failed, ultimately resulting In the fire been quickly brought under control. The British Navy had sent and death of the Canadian naval officer. This was exacerbated help to the stricken submarine and dropped off medical per- by electrical panel insulation, which was alleged to have been sonnel. The British Navy then alriifted three crewmembers from old and cracked. An article In the Sudbury Star suggested that the Chicoutim/ to a hospital. Tragically, one of the three, a the crew thought loose wiring had caused the fire. In fact, one Canadian naval officer, died. crewmember had told The Canadian Press, "It was not human