(Article reproduced from Navy News - June 1982)

HMS Sheffield bade farewell to Portsmouth late last year for a five-month spell on Gulf Patrol. That departure was destined to be her last sight of home.

The patrol's dogged routine was broken by trips to Muscat and Mombasa - where some families were able to join their menfolk for a holiday - and visits to Mauritius, Diego Garcia, Abu Dhabi, Athens and Gibraltar,

Within a few days of her expected arrival home she was ordered to join the Falklands Task Force, together with other ships which had been involved in Exercise Springtrain.

On May 4 the Sheffield was off the Falkland Islands patrolling the Exclusion Zone when she was hit by one of the most lethal of conventional weapons in the world's armoury.

An airborne Exocet anti-ship missile was launched. It has been estimated, 20 miles distant by one of a handful of Super Etenard aircraft in Argentine hands. The weapon struck with devastating effect, hitting the centre of the ship and starting raging fires which quickly spread.

For four hours the surviving members of the ship's company fought vainly to save the destroyer, even as part of her hull glowed white hot. Their valiant efforts were later described by their commanding officer, Capt. James Salt.

"We could feel the heat of the deck through our shoes," he said. "The superstructure was steaming. Paint on the ship's side was peeling off; the area where the missile penetrated the hull was white hot."

Flames were dangerously close to the ship's ammunition and fuel and eventually the order had to be given to abandon ship. "It was my decision and I feel awful about it, but there was no alternative," said Capt. Salt.

Hours later he flew over the ship by helicopter. "The whole of the working area of the ship was a roaring mass of flames. We could see right down into the engine room."

Another consideration when abandoning ship was that the Sheffield was occupying the attention of other warships in the Task Force when they were under the threat of attack.

"Also the ship's company had been on deck in very cold conditions for five hours fighting the fire," said the captain. "Unfortunately we were losing, not winning.

" The men were quite incredible. I have no doubt that the ship's company really saved themselves by their own sensible efforts." They remained calm and showed common sense and careful thinking.

About the missile hit on the ship, Capt. Salt said: " It had a devastating effect. It hit the centre of the ship, the centre of all operations - mechanical, detection, weaponry.

'It came in at six feet above the water level, damaged two large compartments and, when inside the ship, exploded outwards and upwards."

Within 20 seconds the centre of the ship was filled with black, acrid, pungent smoke. The explosion wiped out lighting and broadcasting systems, and also smashed the fire-fighting main.

Describing the ship's company's efforts, he said morale was incredibly high and team work was exceptional. "I'm sure every captain would say that his ship's company was the best, but I know that mine is."

"Obviously it is a tremendous disappointment to lose your ship, but all the men I have spoken to are remarkably cheerful, philosophical and determined about the future."

In addition to the 20 men who died in the ship, 24 were injured, one - CMECH John Strange of Gosport - seriously. The injured and the 242 other survivors were transferred to other ships in the Task Force, including HMS Hermes.

Later a MOD spokesman said that the survivors would be brought home as soon as possible.

The Sheffield herself, gutted and deformed by her still -burning fires, lingered on for six more days. She was taken in tow but finally sank outside the Exclusion Zone on May 10, becoming an official war grave.

The body of one of her dead was recovered and committed to the sea from HMS Hermes.

ROLL OF HONOUR:
John Wodhead (40) Lt Cdr. Stubbington
David Balfour (37) Lt Cdr. Grayshott, Hindhead
Richard Emly (36) S/Lt Havant
Brian Welsh (34) MAA. Gateshead
Kevin Sullivan (35) WEA1. Porchester
Anthony Egginton (35) WEA1 Purbrook
Michael Till (35) ACWEMN. Stubbington
Barry Wallis (26) WEMN2 Portchester
Anthony Norman (25) POWEM(R) Gosport
David Briggs (25) POMEM(M) Lee-on-Solent
Robert Fagan (34) POCK Stubbington
Allan Knowles (31) LMEM(M) Gosport
Tony Marshall (31) LCK Gosport
Adrian Wellstead (26) LCK Stubbington
David Osoborne (22) CK Portsmouth
Andrew Swallow (18) CK Bembridge, Isle of Wight
Kevin Williams (20) CK Gosport
Neil Goodall (20) CK Enfield, Middlesex
Darryl Cope (21) CA Stourport
Lai Chi Keung (31) Laundryman (civilian) Hong Kong