Wreck of HMS Sheffield (D-80)

 navy, shipwreck

HMS Sheffield was a Type 42 Guided Missile Destroyer in service with the Royal Navy during the Falklands War and was on Radar picket duty on the morning of May 4th, 1982 when she was attacked by 2 Super Etendards of the Argentine Air Force.

The Argentine aircraft were not picked up by the Sheffields radar systems and the crew were unaware they were in any danger until 2 Exocet anti-ship missiles were detected closing on the ship at high speed. The crew had all of 10-15 seconds of warning before the missiles struck, the 1st Exocet missing and landing well off her port bow but the 2nd hitting squarely amidships about 8 feet above the waterline. The missile killed 20 members the Sheffields crew but it's warhead did not detonate on impact; instead the missiles fuel began starting fires deep in the hull of the Sheffield which quickly grew unmanageable due to damage to the ships water mains and electrial systems.

As the fires grew worse the Sheffield was ordered abandoned on the morning of May 5th. While awaiting rescue, her crew famously sang "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life" from Monty Python and were eventually picked up by HMS Yarmouth which then stood by the Sheffields burning hulk as the fires began to burn themselves out over the following days. On May 10th the Yarmouth was ordered to take the Sheffield under tow to more protected waters however mounting seas began to swamp the Sheffield through the gaping holes in her hull and she finally was sunk by scuttling charges on the afternoon of May 10th, 1982.

Today the wreck of HMS Sheffield is considered a war grave and is under the Protection of Military Remains Act.