HMS Sheffield Falklands sinking

I love diving shipwrecks, however, such wrecks usually come at a grave cost to human life. Whether you supported Britain or Argentina, the scale of losses is staggering for a 74 day conflict. Once the premier naval force of the world, the Royal Navy suffered some serious losses to shipping and reputation during the short conflict that will likely never be erased.

The HMS Sheffield was operating forward of the main fleet with two other type 42 frigates providing missile defense of the carrier taskforce when struck amidships by a single exocet missile fired close to sea level by an Argentinian fighter aircraft.

It is amazing a single missile has the capability to sink a warship, the naval engagements of World War II normally consisted of rival ships pounding each other with naval artillery or attack from the skies with 500 lb bombs destroying the superstructure and piercing deck armour.

By the time I hit the water, the wreck has been resting on the bottom for a considerable time frame with most evidence of human misery washed away, watching footage of the missile strike on the HMS Sheffield and the aftermath reminds me of the perils of armed conflict and why we need to avoid it at all costs.

Losses for the British naval forces include two destroyers, two frigates, one LSL landing ship, one LCU amphibious craft and a container ship. Argentinian naval losses include one cruiser (WWII vintage), one submarine, four cargo vessels, two patrol boats and a spy trawler.