Twenty people died when the HMS Sheffield was hit during the Falklands War. Picture: PAplaceholder image
Twenty people died when the HMS Sheffield was hit during the Falklands War. Picture: PA

23 poignant memories of Royal Navy ship HMS Sheffield during Falklands War

By Steve Deeks
Published 21st Apr 2022, 09:05 GMT
Updated 15th May 2024, 19:29 GMT

HMS Sheffield during the Falklands War. Remembered and never forgotten.

HMS Sheffield was a Type 42 guided missile destroyer and commissioned on 16th February 1975. She was part of the Task Force 317 sent to the Falkland Islands during the Falklands War.

MORE: Amazing sights as Royal Navy ships return from the Falklands war, 12 memories of Royal Navy ships leaving for the Falklands in 1982

She was struck and heavily damaged by an Exocet air-launched anti-ship missile from an Argentine Super Étendard aircraft on 4th May 1982 and while being towed towards South Georgia Island, she sank in heavy seas on the 10th May 1982.

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Twenty lives were lost in a strike by an Exocet missile. A Type 21 frigate helps to put out fire on HMS Sheffield...she sank soon after.

9. HMS Sheffield was hit during the Falklands War

Twenty lives were lost in a strike by an Exocet missile. A Type 21 frigate helps to put out fire on HMS Sheffield...she sank soon after. Photo: The News archive

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2005. HMS Sheffield remembrance service at the Falklands Memorial in Old Portsmouth.(left), Cdr Michael Norman shares a lighter moment with Ch/TIFF Mike Smith.Picture: Ian Hargreaves (050519-9)

10. HMS Sheffield was hit during the Falklands War

2005. HMS Sheffield remembrance service at the Falklands Memorial in Old Portsmouth.(left), Cdr Michael Norman shares a lighter moment with Ch/TIFF Mike Smith.Picture: Ian Hargreaves (050519-9) Photo: The News archive