Memorial unveiled to first British ship sunk in Falklands conflict
HMS Sheffield remembered
HMS Sheffield finally has a memorial – 40 years after she was struck by an Argentine missile which killed 20 crew.
The sculpture, resembling the prow of a ship breaking through a wave, was unveiled yesterday at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
The memorial, designed by artist Peter Naylor, is made from Sheffield steel, and follows a £15,000 fundraising campaign to create the sculpture, which was made in the city.
The Portsmouth-based Type 42 destroyer was hit off Port Stanley in the South Atlantic and was towed away from the islands before she sank on May 10, 1982.
She was the first British ship to be lost in enemy action since World War Two, and the first of four British ships to be sunk by the Argentine air force in the Falklands conflict.
The attack in 1982 killed 20 and injured many more.
As well as veterans, representatives from the city of Sheffield, which has held the ship and its crew close to their hearts, attended.
Former Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Bryan Lodge, said: ‘It was a real privilege to be there for the unveiling of the memorial.
‘It was really nice to see so many people there. It was a shame about the weather but it didn’t spoil the day.
‘We have a great link with all three HMS Sheffields and are looking forward to the fourth, which is being commissioned now.
‘It is right that we celebrate with the HMS Sheffield Association, remember the links we have got and keep those links going forward.’
Nik Undy made the journey to Staffordshire, representing Sheffield Sea Cadets.
Nik said: ‘It is an honour to be able to be in the presence of people who have given so much on all HMS Sheffields and to represent the cadets from our unit who have forged relationships between the council and the ship.
‘We look forward to the new HMS Sheffield and furthering relationships between the city and the HMS Sheffield Association.
‘We try and instill in the cadets the sense of occasion and the importance of remembrance of what people have done.’
This is what was making the news 40 years ago today, as more horrific details emerged about the bombing of HMS Sheffield.
Warship toll 87, but crippled Sheffield refuses to die
Nearly 90 crewmen of the Portsmouth-based destroyer HMS Sheffield have been killed, wounded or are missing, it was disclosed today.
News of casualties has been relayed to 87 families by the Ministry of Defence, according to reliable Whitehall sources.
But Sheffield - the warship that would not die - was still afloat today, more than 24 hours after being blasted by a missile from an Argentine fighter-bomber.
Royal Navy officers are understood to have returned to the fire-ravaged hull during the night to inspect the damage.
And, as news of the battle toll emerged, Portsmouth was a city in shock - grieving for its menfolk.
Telephones set up by the Navy for next-of-kin rang for hours as mothers, wives and sweethearts desperately sought word of the tragedy, which is thought to have claimed at least 30 lives.
Civic leaders - horrified by the disaster - spoke for Portsmouth, home of the Sheffield and the Royal Navy.
Said the city council leader (Mr John Marshall): ‘It is a very black night.’ And Mr. Marshall promised: ‘If there is anything the city can do to help, then it will do it.’
And the Rev Michael Brotherton, Vicar of St Mary’s, Portsea, said: ‘We will pray daily for a peaceful solution.’
Said the defiant Portsmouth North MP (Mr Peter Griffiths) ‘Whatever happens, we just cannot give up now.’