10. The loss of HMS Sheffield demonstrated the dangers presented to the task force
HMS Sheffield was a Type 42 destroyer and one of the most modern ships of the Royal Navy. It was less than ten years old and equipped with what the British considered state-of-the-art anti-submarine and anti-aircraft systems. On May 4, the ship was operating on radar picket duty when it was struck by an Exocet anti-ship missile. The Exocet was built by the French firm Dassault, and launched from Super Etendard strike fighters, operated by the Argentine Navy. The missile set the ship’s superstructure afire and knocked out key electronic systems and pumps, severely restricting the crew’s ability to fight the blaze. Two other British warships, HMS Arrow and HMS Yarmouth assisted the crippled Sheffield, but the fire raged out of control for hours.
After four hours of fighting a losing battle, Sheffield was abandoned. Twenty of its crew died as a result of the attack, and 26 others were injured. Sheffield was the first ship of the Royal Navy lost to enemy attack since World War II. The hulk was taken under tow after the fires burned themselves out. While being towed by HMS Yarmouth the heavy seas of the South Atlantic flooded the hull, which listed until it capsized and sank on May 10. Contrary to popular belief, Sheffield’s superstructure was not built of aluminum, which melts at a lower temperature than steel, and contributed to its loss. Its superstructure was built of steel.