Probably the nearest bit of land and given the conditions of board would you want to be towed for up to four days or more to get back to a naval port in Scotland or southern England?

A submarine on the surface is not a comfortable thing to be on. No stabalizers, round hull etc all allow it to roll horribly. Added to which they are probably without power and have just suffered a major fire which killed one and injured others which will be on the crews minds as they are brought back.

BTW what's the US got to do with a Canadian boat that was built in the UK? Methinks you are a bit of an 'oil tanker'