Daily Event for May 4, 2008

May 4, 1982 in the waters of the Falkland Islands the HMS Sheffield D-80 became the first war loss in the
Falkland's War and the first British warship lost in action since World War II. The Type 42 Guided Missile
Destroyer was launched by Vickers at Barrow in 1971. Sheffield was hit by an Exocet Missile fired from an
Argentine Navy Dassault Super Étendard piloted by Captain Augusto Bedacarratz.

Because of an older type radar and because the missiles were fired from less than six miles away, their launch had not been detected by the Sheffield and therefore evasive maneuvers were not made. Thus the missile impacted amidships on the Sheffield killing 20 crewmen. There has been some dispute as to whether the missile actually detonated or not but, just the impact and fuel onboard the missile was enough to cause massive fires which could not be controlled. The HMS Arrow F-173 came alongside and removed the crew and the Sheffield continued to burn until she was nothing but a burned out hulk. She was taken in tow but finally scuttled on May 10th due to bad weather.

© 2008 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com



Roll of Honour
In memory of those who lost their lives in
HMS Sheffield D-80
"As long as we embrace them in our memory, their spirit will always be with us"

Name
Rank/Rate
Notes
Balfour, David I.
Lt. Commander
Briggs, D.S.M., David R.
Petty Officer Marine Mechanic
Cope, Darryl M.
Catering Assistant
Eggington, Anthony C. A.
Weapon Engineering Artificer
Emly, Richard C.
Sub-Lieutenant
Fagan, Robert
Petty Officer Cook
Goodall, Neil A.
Cook
Keung, Lai Chi
Unclassified
Chinese national
Knowles, Allan J.
Leading Marine Engineering Mechanic
Marshall, Tony
Leading Cook
Norman, Anthony R.
Petty Officer Weapon Engineering Mechanic
Osborne, David E.
Cook
Sullivan, Kevin R. F.
Weapon Electronics Artificer 1st Class
Swallow, Andrew C.
Cook
Till, Michael E. G.
Chief Weapons Mechanic
Wallis, Barry J.
Weapon Engineering Mechanic
Wellstead, Adrian K.
Leading Cook
Welsh, Brian
Master at Arms
Williams, Kevin J.
Cook
Woodhead, D.S.C., John S.
Lt. Commander


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HMS Sheffield D-80 with HMS Arrow F-173 alongside.