Returned
suddenly to Faslane from sea in August 1995, reported as a
radiation leak.
Took part in trials at AUTEC, Bahamas, with HMS Marlborough,
in May 1996.
Boarded by wimmin peace protesters 22 Jul 96.
In Feb 97 the former cryptographic officer on HMS Sceptre
was severely reprimanted at a court martial for keeping top
secret codes in his locker.
On 4th May 97 the Defence Secretary George Robertson awarded
the refit contract for Sceptre to Rosyth dockyard.
There was a serious accident in early March 2000 when the
submarine broke free from its mooring and shot forward 30
feet inside the dock at Rosyth.
The refit was scheduled to be completed in June 2000.
Recommissioned in Rosyth on 1st July 2000.
Sceptre was still listed as in refit on 11 July 2000.
A
defect in the reactor was discovered on Sceptre in 1998
early in its refit. The full seriousness of the problem was
not appreciated until mid 2000 (Daily Telegraph 8/9/00).
Still in Rosyth in October 2000
Reported that Sceptre may be scrapped because the reactor
problem found in 1998 was not properly repaired (Herald)
MoD claim that clear of "Tireless" fault, 1 Nov
00.
In January 2002 the Defence Minister Adam Ingram admitted
that the problem on Sceptre wass "small original
fabrication imperfections" in the Reactor Pressure
Vessel. Despite a refit already extended by 18 months the
Minister said that the MoD could not accurately say how long
it would take to inspect and repair the problem.
