Robert M. , I don't believe the incident I have described, is the free french sub you refer to. The information I have about the incident I posted, was passed down to me initially by my grandfather, and corroberated by three other local residents who never knew him. The other three currently work either at, or around the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard today. I myself worked as a marine mechanic right around the corner from the shipyard, and are well familiar with the waters. If the incident as you described, occured near Panama, and involved a freighter, the liklyhood of this story reaching my grandfather at the shipyard is almost impossible, as he was a civilian builder with no access to intelligence reports. If you have any other thoughts, please let me know. Thanks !!!