2 Argentine Ships, 1 Task Force Ship Slip Into the Depths

Dear Fellow Earthlings, On the 10th of May 1982 two Argentine vessels went down: the Narwhal (damaged one day earlier -- See Installment 409.) and the Islas de los Estados, Unlike the Narwhal, the Islas de los Estados sank immediately. The Argentine supply ship was scarrying a mixed load of munitions and JP-1 jet fuel as it entered Falkland Sound. There the ship was attacked by the Royal Navy frigate HMS Alacrity.

The Alacrity opened fire on the Islas de los Estados with her 4.5 inch bow gun. This set the unarmored merchant ship afire. The fire spread quickly, and the vessel's volatile fuel cargo exploded violently. The ship sank immediately. Only two members of her crew were able to escape and swim to shore.

The British Task Force also saw one of its ships sink on the same day. HMS Sheffield, damaged six days earlier when hit midships by an Exocet fired from an Argentine Super Etendard fighter-bomber did not immediately sink. In fact, it was being towed toward South Georgia (to be salvaged) by the frigate Yarmouth when it sank. Heavy seas seem to have been the main reason why the ship sank.

At this point all residents the Falklands were being held prisoner and/or kept under careful scrutiny by the occupying forces from Argentina.

Steve Walker Earthsaver and Jingles Creator

© 2013 Steve Walker, The Jingles-The Japan Foundation for English Pronunciation, Summit Enterprises.