HMCS Okanagan (S74)

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HMCS Okanagan (S74) was an Oberon class submarine in the Royal Canadian Navy, later Canadian Forces. She was built at Chatham Dockyard and was the last warship to be built there, being laid down on 25 March 1965, followed by launching on 17 September 1966.

Upon completion, Okanagan worked to Halifax before commissioning.

Several years' normal service followed, but in July 1973 Okanagan collided with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Grey Rover while exercising in British waters. Fortunately there were no injuries to the submarine's crew.

Okanagan participated in the filming of the Japanese disaster film Fukkatsu no hi, released in 1980, with one of her officers given a small speaking part. Three years later she began at mid-life refit at Halifax.

After another decade of service, Okanagan was decommissioned in 1998.

In May 2005, the Halifax Chronicle-Herald announced that the Royal Canadian Navy was looking to sell Okanagan for scrap metal, along with three other Canadian Oberons. The RCN's disposal co-ordinator stated that the submarines were not in suitable condition to be used as museum ships, and predicted that each submarine would sell for between C$50,000 and C$60,000. ^[1]