When I was in the US Navy. I was on my first ship the USS Proteus AS-19 a submarine tender it was around 1982 we were at Diego Garcia a small island in the Indian ocean. The US Navy leases a base there from the British. We were anchored out tenders have anchors at both ends when we anchor like this, so the ship doesn't swing when we have ships tied up to us when they are getting repairs. And we used liberty boat to get ashore. Well, the HMS Sheffield came alongside. They used our liberty boats to get ashore. We got to know the crew. Well, it left Diego Garcia I guess headed for the Falklands islands. I guess the Falkland war had started a few months later it was hit by an exocet missile and did not make it a sad ending. In our cruise book we put this in to remember them. Also added a photo of the USS Proteus AS-19

19 hours ago, River Rat1 said:

When I was in the US Navy. I was on my first ship the USS Proteus AS-19 a submarine tender it was around 1982 we were at Diego Garcia a small island in the Indian ocean. The US Navy leases a base there from the British. We were anchored out tenders have anchors at both ends when we anchor like this, so the ship doesn't swing when we have ships tied up to us when they are getting repairs. And we used liberty boat to get ashore. Well, the HMS Sheffield came alongside. They used our liberty boats to get ashore. We got to know the crew. Well, it left Diego Garcia I guess headed for the Falklands islands. I guess the Falkland war had started a few months later it was hit by an exocet missile and did not make it a sad ending. In our cruise book we put this in to remember them. Also added a photo of the USS Proteus AS-19

 

Thank you for sharing that River Rat1.

 

Many observers and students of the Falklands War will agree that the outcome of the conflict was by no means assured and was a far closer run than generally believed. 

 

For our members not aware of the sinking of HMS Sheffield she was hit by an Exocet Missile fired from an Argentinian St Etendard fighter at 1100hrs on the 4th May 1982. The missile was undetected until too late giving the crew of the British destroyer only 5 seconds warning, striking the vessel 8 feet above the waterline causing a gash measuring 4 feet by 10 feet. Of the 281 crew, 20 were killed and 26 injured. A decision was made to abandon ship which sunk 6 days later being the first Royal Navy ship to do so since World War Two. 

 

This image is HMS Sheffield on fire after being hit on the 4th May.. 

 

Gunner ... 

 

 

Being in deck division one of the memories I have of the HMS Sheffield, being in deck we paint the ship both ships are tied together we are hanging over the side of the ship painting the sides and across the way the HMS Sheffield was doing the same thing. I also remember having a talk with their XO he was a good guy hope he made it. 

45 minutes ago, River Rat1 said:

Being in deck division one of the memories I have of the HMS Sheffield, being in deck we paint the ship both ships are tied together we are hanging over the side of the ship painting the sides and across the way the HMS Sheffield was doing the same thing. I also remember having a talk with their XO he was a good guy hope he made it. 

 

Looking at the casualties for HMS Sheffield the XO isn't listed as being killed.