Wreck of HMS Antelope (F-170)

 military, shipwreck

HMS Antelope (F170) was a Type 21 frigate of the Royal Navy that participated in the Falklands War and was stationed at the mouth of San Carlos Water acting as a plane guard when she was attacked by Argentine Air Force A-4 Skyhawks on May 24, 1982.

The Antelope was able to drive off her attackers but was hit by 2-1100lb bombs which penetrated deep into her hull but failed to explode on impact. The ship shifted to more protected waters and a EOD team was sent to disarm the bombs. After repeated unsuccessful attempts both bombs detonated and blew out a large section of the hull and broke the ships keel. Fires quickly started all over the ship and without electrical power and a broken fire main the crew was powerless to combat them. The order was passed to abandon ship which was completed just before the ships missile magazines began detonating.

Fires burned through the night and several large detonations broke the ship in half and she sank on the morning of the 25th. The wreck is considered a war grave.