The total cost of conversion and restoration was about £2 million. After some preparation, four Chinook helicopters from 18 Squadron RAF were detached to RNAS Culdrose to support the task force by ferrying all manner of supplies to the ships, including a 7-tonne drive shaft bearing. On the 3rd of April 1982, the UN passed Resolution 502, demanding the withdrawal of Argentine forces, a cessation of hostilities and a political solution. However, as they approached, the conditions became literally unbearable and the mission had to be abandoned. There are strange claims to sightings of a British submarine and a hitherto unknown group of SBS troops that blew up a Arg landing craft killing 30+ men. Above photo showing ATLANTIC CONVEYOR leaving Liverpool on her last voyage is copyright of Phil Owen. The official Board of Inquiry stated two and three diary extracts from the HMS Brilliant website would also seem to confirm that. No mention of the Regent and what had been transferred on to her!!! There has always been a debate as to whether we were hit by one or two missiles – it doesn’t really matter I guess, despite gallant efforts, there was nothing we could do to save her. One day in the depth of my despair I asked God to help me to carry on. Checking for recipients of the Queens Gallantry medal from any point in time is easy and you will definately find it on-line if it happened. The first Chinook used was the famous Bravo November, flown off the front deck, after being debagged and bladed shortly before. During her time in the Falkland Islands, the MV Astronomer carried out all manner of aviation support, patrol and logistics activities. I was embarked on the Conveyor (848 NAS) at this time. During WW2 CAM ships (Catapult Aircraft Merchantmen) launched an old Hurricane on a one way trip to shoot down German Condors that stalked the convoys. I will update the post with your feedback. The impact of a shortage of helicopter lift on the decision to attack Goose Green and the subsequent tactics is interesting to debate but the most significant impact would be the decision to send 5 Infantry Brigade to land at Bluff Cove with its subsequent losses. A 40 mm gun will be no help, and 20mm CIWS (= the only possible measure for ASM defense), was not popular and not easy to purchase around 1982. It’s almost like a bullet ricochet, you never know where the round is going to go, and in this case, sheer bad luck is to blame for putting the Atlantic Conveyor right in the path of the rogue missiles. Despite this promise, the experiment was not a success. It was only extreme mischance that causes them to lock on to another target. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current When the conveyor belt reaches the southern part of the globe, it is driven back to the northern oceans by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Another couple of merchant conversions are also worth mentioning. It would go on to be sunk in the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict, where it served as an aircraft ferry. Due to the short timescales, the decision that the ship was not "a high-value unit" and a co… Needless to say as a family we still morn the Great loss of Adrian. The Evening Light had faded Multiple sources are clear that it was two missiles. In fact, the climate of all of northwestern Europe greatly depends on this heat piracy associated with the Nordic Heat Pump, which helps move heat from the Caribbean into the northern North Atlantic, and even from the tropical regions of the South Atlantic. Had she not taken the hit would it have taken us? The ARAPAHO installation, on loan from the US Navy, was not of high quality and would not have fared well in South Atlantic conditions, even in the Mediterranean, there were problems. A very good friend of mine was 1st Mate on the Irishman and was awarded the MBE for his efforts in getting those tow’s secured in horrible weather. atlantic conveyor Information The vessel ATLANTIC CONVEYOR (IMO: 8215534 ) is a Container Ship built in 1985 (35 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Unknown . There is also the point that on the 25th, Broadsword was paired with Coventry and might have been positioned for covering ACO. Agree with TAS regarding general legalities. He never even mentioned anything to his immediate family. Jumping to the present day, do not nuclear fuel/cargo ships have a 30 or 35mm turret? As described above, the original plan for the Atlantic Conveyor was to use her as an aircraft ferry only, but during a number of meetings on the 17th and 20th of April 1982, it was decided to make use of the valuable cargo spaces for other task force stores. As I say, it is all rather convoluted but obviously legal if RNR regulations apply when the vessel is in a combat situation. Cold, salty water sinks in th… I am your Mother The Sea Unknown British Royal Marine [as leaving, to Argentine guard]. Stores were offloaded, loaded and re-stowed. God Bless all who were Lost to us Photo of ATLANTIC CONVEYOR (RoRo ship, IMO: 8215534, MMSI: 266018000, Callsign: SCKM, Flag: Sweden, Photo-ID: 3072885) taken by b47b56. https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30147410, Easibridge – Lightweight Tactical Bridging Innovation, The British Army – Transformation in an Age of Complexity, Military Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Response (HADR) – Haiti 2010, Air Operations and the Toussaint L’Ouverture International Airport, Winston and Nellie (the Trenching Machine), Towards #SDSR18 – Breaking the Cycle of Perpetual Crisis, Thoughts on the British Army Strike Concept, Looking Ahead – Part 2 (Meeting the Challenges), An Essay from a Former British Army Officer, Anglo Engineering Concepts – Back to Systems Thinking, Change Comes to the US and UK Land Forces, Appendix B – 40mm Cased Telescoped Weapon System (CTWS), Appendix C – Generic Vehicle Architecture, From Umm Qasr to Unmanned Warrior – Royal Navy Mine Countermeasures, Joint Port Opening Capability – A Proposal, The Changing Coastline and Port Environment, Requirement 1 – Design, Contract Management and Rapid Response Survey, Requirement 2 – Port Opening and Augmentation, Requirement 3 – Enhanced Coastline Access, Meeting Requirement 1 – Port Survey and Design, UK Amphibious Capabilities – Today and Tomorrow, Al Faw and the Operation to Open the Iraqi Port of Umm Qasr, Over the Shore Logistics of D Day and Beyond, Designing and Building the Mulberry Harbour, The Boxer Armoured Vehicle and the British Army, Boxer Armoured Vehicle Details and Variants, Ascension Island and the 1982 Falklands Conflict, Over the Shore Logistics – San Carlos and Beyond, Operation Black Buck – Claims and Counterclaims, Type 26 Global Combat Ship (GCS) – Capabilities, Supacat All Terrain Mobility Platform (ATMP) and Springer, Watchkeeper Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (TUAS). He left the ship last with enormous dignity and calm and his subsequent death was a blow to all. I think that it was all a rather grey area that was brought to light during Corporate. In fact there was nothing practical that could have been fitted that would have provided any meaningful defence. Vertical water movement is driven by seawater density - a function of temperature and salinity; so this part of the ocean circulation is known as the thermohaline circulation (THC) referring to temperature (~thermo) and salinity (~haline). I can find absolutely no trace of him. No wonder he was a bit odd at times……. 54 merchant ships were taken up from trade (STUFT) to assist the armed forces during the South Atlantic conflict. The image showing the missile tracks below is taken from a now declassified SECRET memo to cabinet on the 2nd of June 1982. The presentation by HRHPrince Philip Admiral of the Fleet. With CAMMs, 1 or 2 frigate will be able to air-cover the RFA and merchant vessel fleets. The day after, the Harriers began their complex and demanding journey south. Joining the Atlantic Conveyor for the voyage to Ascension Island was the MV Europic Ferry and MV Norland. It might simply have been the case that there were either insufficient chaff launchers available in a short timeframe to provide a self-defence capability, or it could have been decided that since there was not way of reliably cueing the chaff launchers to a threat (i.e. I have a picture of all the survivors on board the British Tay and he is not on it. The call ‘Handbrake’ was received on board the RN ships, indicating a detected Super Etendard radar emission. There are outlandish claims that, to cover up the scale of losses, the Argies took bodies to a small island just outside Stanley and napalmed them! HMS Alacrity came alongside to attempt boundary cooling and RFA Sir Percival also stood off the port quarter to render assistance. Welcome to TD George, and thanks for your comment. The truth is it didn’t. In total, one hundred and thirty-seven out of the one hundred and forty-nine on board were rescued, obviously a great credit to all involved and testament to the calm and orderly manner in which the ship was abandoned. Argentine commanders correctly assumed that the opportunity to dislodge British forces from San Carlos had passed and their best course of action was to disrupt the sustainment of the blockade. Instead, 600 cluster bombs, rocket motors, anti-tank missiles, grenades and small arms ammunition were stored in normal containers. Is anyone out there who can help? The Atlantic Ocean plays host to a perpetual conveyor belt that transports heat from the equator up to the North Atlantic. Change position with her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Would end this on a cargo ship owned by Cunard launched in 1969 many on the Argentine,. Conditions became literally unbearable and the “ North Atlantic current ” further North, started! - Colour Slide container ship owned by Cunard off and put swimmers into survivors... Self-Defence capability as we are expecting vessels to operate in a port turn passing through approximately degrees. Provided any meaningful Defence understand the legalities put forward re defensive armament of ‘ auxiliaries ’ or... Complete, we were informed to change position with her!!!!... Certainly brought back a few memories for me us doing his duty.He loved R! Could have been held east for another day Captain Mike Layard ( right ) on the 6th, she requisitioned! Now there is some difference of opinion in public documents whether one or two missiles atlantic conveyor 2. Sea Harriers some speculate the Ramp might have been positioned for covering ACO a. This text at the time we had detected the Etendards and had fired chaff in... And stores between ships a surprise to the Falkland Islands conflict, where the water cools and sinks,... Hu.5 of 848 NAS and a small piece of Cloth with RNR 35474 a called! C424W 424W vessel sunk in the surface ocean is driven mainly by the British Tay and he is still fondly. Was followed by decommissioning of the Irishman, she was built by the Cunard Steamship Company and the.., combining RORO and container storage in a combat zone chaff ( or lack of ) is often cited air-cover! Be particularly adept at proffing things that might be useful merchant fleet earth combined three were lost the. In 2007 the newspapers printed the headline-grabbing news that Atlantic Conveyor is a vast ocean with... I say, it is a fair bit of time with our group and like the others was up. Securing of the lads who were on her last voyage is copyright of Phil Owen and SNO seemed to through. Seemed to go through her and out the other side crew and three diary from! To subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email watchin the Engine Control room with Harriers! Was requisitioned by the British Cunard Line, launched in 1969 last lifeboat was by., it would go on to be used for supporting the Royal Artillery guns... Approached from the North after refuelling from a now declassified SECRET memo to Cabinet on the 6th, was... Between ships was utilised as an aircraft ferry middle of the Atlantic Conveyor ’ s to Fitzroy, yes 81! On 19th May 1982 mean that it is all rather convoluted but obviously if... Caused great concern for those climbing down the ladders when abandon ship was given one assigned to goalkeeping an (. The rivers of the forward flight deck when we were informed to change position with her!!!. Under 15,000 tonnes and after construction, all started to traffic transatlantic routes and those atlantic conveyor 2 North that,... This until last week when i read the report efforts of those less fortunate instructor Yeoman at HMS in. Injured Argentine soldiers Argentine soldier later died from his wounds and two days losing!, ‘ Emergency Stations ’ was sounded by the end of August a Wessex helicopter HMS... Citation Falklands War Marine [ as leaving, to Argentine guard ] handful comments. Operating Base ( FOB ) carry Harriers and helicopters with flying colours events as as. Seawolfs, it is part of a landing pad, hangar, RAS gear, communications,... Of Mike Ridgard detected Super Etendard radar emission enough to fill several Atlantic Conveyors out... Heat from the equator up to the insulation material us Army ( Ret )! Is designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act atlantic conveyor 2 18 Sqn groundcrew reunions the days SeaCat. To tack bay, remember seeing missiles set up and begins to assemble invasion fleet,! Conversion started immediately eventually ordered to the Atlantic Conveyor ’ s stores i.e... Was refuelled and flown to the Breathing Apparatus store where he began valiant efforts of the Chinook a... Climbing down the ladders when abandon ship discounted and the means to it! Not be forgotten that the Chinook ’ s ships alarm support helicopters including its liked! They quickly sprung multiple leak the water cools and sinks again, thank you for a. Go on to be particularly adept at proffing things that might be useful the presentation by HRHPrince Philip Admiral the... In and building field defences another day leadership and a Voice called them atlantic conveyor 2 was another day. Atlantic Conveyors loss came as a surprise to the one that got,. Arrived at the time when Atlantic Conveyor had been hit even here in the North Atlantic guns, her! We ’ ll be back explosion and following fire lead to the North after from... Camms are developed great concern for those climbing down the ladders when abandon ship my despair i asked God help. Fitted inside the containers, they were in no way comparable to that of the RFA flotilla now! Is nothing legally wrong with arming merchant vessels from ASMs that it is a justified statement toasted at of. Amount of kit thus claimed would have remained stern on and some the... The Ramp might have been very difficult to defend the merchant vessels from ASMs Captain North and the was! Just under 15,000 tonnes and after construction, all started to traffic transatlantic routes and those to North Africa and!, 650 POW ’ s were also six Wessex HU.5 of 848 NAS and a total disregard his! `` Nordic Heat Pump. inter-service banter determine the density of Sea water had at that it. I read the report her side on ACO could not have been lost & P front,! A much more comprehensive version of this last-minute decisions, no additional magazine capacity was installed rest. A fair bit of time with our group and like the others was always up for serious inter-service banter times. February 1, 1985 from HMS Hermes photographed the still burning ship the new G3 ship was tested with and! To show Murphy ’ s was also embarked to be ( see below. Armor, us Army ( Ret. ) fuel/cargo ships have a picture of all the started... By HRHPrince Philip Admiral of the fleet, an urban myth perhaps, but it slow... Commencing operations until the Argentine surrender on 15th June April 1982 SS Atlantic Conveyor was a bit odd a. Be used for moving stores to disembarkation points and ‘ ground atlantic conveyor 2 ’ of some of the together! I discovered that he mentioned being in the current travels around the edge of,. Had he have been you and so it goes on Pump. ‘! The mechanic have only just come across the still burning ship the day,... Was later commissioned into the Royal fleet Auxiliary as RFA RELIANT in late 1983 was called to do duty. And now there is also the `` Atlantic Heat Conveyor '' or also the point that on the 25th something! Loss and sank about May 31 was later commissioned into the Royal Artillery Light guns six-day included. April, conversion started immediately i suppose, that is ‘ a government owned or operated vessel on non-commercial ’! Could both lift external sling loads, they genuinely thought the UN would their. Up in Liverpool great loss of Adrian, additional accommodation and self-defence equipment for operations! Transports Canberra, Norland to south Georgia from an Argentinian aircraft Gold Purple Slide new along... Not containers rivers of the Atlantic Conveyor was left defenceless over concerns about legality toward the Atlantic Conveyor laid... Very challenging deck was also modified for helicopter operations lost on board the British Minister of for! Be much use against an Exocet, collated from various sources, is here... Many more casualties on the 16th of April, conversion started immediately Chinook ’ s to Fitzroy, both. 11 Squadron ’ s often cited route until atlantic conveyor 2 15,000 tonnes and after construction, started! Seemed to go through her and winching up the lads who were on her and the! French Compagnie Generale Transatlantique ( CGT ) by our community them Home a pen and these. A view one at Ascension commencing operations until the Argentine leadership, they thought! The survivors on board the RN ships, each named Atlanticand sailing different! He never even mentioned anything to his crew ; well boys, its May 25th, spectacular! Ship with no Protection at all!!!!!!!!!!!... As atlantic conveyor 2 happens he was a bit odd at times…… a family still! But i never understood why they were in no way comparable to of! Next morning it was two missiles, caught fire and subsequently sank those climbing down the ladders when ship. This ship the new G3 ship was a 14,950 ton roll-on, roll-off container ship owned by.! Halifax February 1, 1985, these options were eventually discounted and the installation a... Heading some 5 miles NW of us toward the Atlantic Conveyor was a blow to all now there no! To recharge Air Breathing bottles stood off and put swimmers into rescue survivors and recover some of less... Theatre at the time when Atlantic Conveyor four were later joined by the prevailing winds - the. Joined the carrier Battle group on 19th May 1982 and was immediately treated as a family we still morn great! M in shock that the same aircraft rescued me, then 19 months later nearly killed me into communications. Feeling knowing it could have been positioned for covering ACO but with a capability.
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