Abandon Ship: The Real Story of the Sinkings in the Falklands War

by Paul Brown

Overview

This fascinating title offers a new study of the loss of six British ships during the Falklands War of 1982. Based on new evidence released following freedom of information requests, it will tell the full story of these dramatic events for the first time.

The Falklands War was a pivotal event in 20th century British history, and is within living memory of many. The war came as a surprise to most and was to test the British forces – who were mainly trained for a war with the USSR – to their limits, in very different circumstances to those envisaged during the Cold War era. The emphatic British victory was not without costs or mistakes, but the courageous exploits of the men and ships of the Royal Navy were instrumental in facilitating the amphibious landings which recaptured the islands from the Argentine invaders. The drama of events and the heroism of those involved makes for compelling reading.

Taking advantage of the latest available British and Argentinian sources, including documents recently released following freedom of information requests by the author himself, Dr Paul Brown describes the dramatic events leading up to the loss of six British ships; HMS Antelope, Ardent, Coventry and Sheffield, RFA Sir Galahad and SS Atlantic Conveyor, as well as the controversial sinking of the Argentinian cruiser ARA General Belgrano by HMS Conqueror.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472846433
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	04/06/2021
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	1,113,643
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Dr Paul Brown is a maritime history author and speaker from the UK, whose recent publications include the books Britain's Historic Ships (Conway), Historic Sail, Maritime Portsmouth, and The Portsmouth Dockyard Story (History Press), as well as articles in leading maritime magazines. A member of the Society for Nautical Research and the Britannia Naval Research Association, and Secretary of the Naval Dockyards Society, he was recently a consultant to National Historic Ships, the UK's authority on the preservation of historic ships and boats. He was previously a university lecturer and senior university manager, and has also lectured at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. He hails from Portsmouth, where he was raised in a naval family and his interest in all things maritime was kindled. His other hobbies include sailing and photography. Paul is married with two daughters. Since retiring from his academic post he has embarked on cruise ship speaking and has fulfilled enrichment speaking engagements with P&O, Cunard, Saga, Fred Olsen, Viking, Voyages of Discovery, CMV, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean.

Table of Contents

List of Maps 6

List of Illustrations 7

Preface 9

1 Going to War 13

2 The Sinking of ARA General Belgrano 29

3 The Loss of HMS Sheffield 51

4 The Loss of HMS Ardent 79

5 The Loss of HMS Antelope 119

6 The Sinking of HMS Coventry 149

7 The Loss of SS Atlantic Conveyor 185

8 The Loss of RFA Sir Galahad 209

9 Lessons from the Conflict 251

Addendum: After the Conflict 267

Appendix: Honours and Awards 273

Select Bibliography 292

References 294

Index 314

Editorial Reviews

Paul Brown has made a valuable contribution to the history of the Falklands war and this book is well worth reading.” —NavyLookout

“This is an excellent book of real historical worth, and is commended.” —David Bowen, The Mariner's Mirror

“This book makes for compelling reading.” —Jon Wise, Navy Books

“An excellent buy.” —Richard Holme, Penguin News

From the Publisher