ARA Narwal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 Argentina |
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| Name | ARA Narwal |
| Owner | Cia Sudamericana de Pesca |
| Builder | Beliard-Murdoch, Ostend |
| Launched | 1962 |
| Identification | IMO number: 5247445 |
| Fate | Sank on 10 May 1982 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 1,398 GRT |
| Length | 231 ft (70 m) |
| Beam | 38 ft (12 m) |
| Draught | 17 ft (5.2 m) |
| Installed power | 2330 h.p. |
| Propulsion | 2 x diesel engines |
The ARA Narwal was an Argentinian fishing boat, also known as a trawler. It was used during the Falklands War to gather secret electronic information. This means it would listen to enemy radio signals and radar. The ship was captained by Asterio Wagata.
Narwal in the Falklands War
The Narwal was given an important job during the war. Its mission was to follow the British fleet. It also had to collect electronic intelligence, along with other fishing boats. British air patrols first spotted the Narwal on April 29, 1982.
Attack on the Narwal
On May 9, 1982, the Narwal was badly damaged. British Sea Harrier jets from HMS Hermes attacked it. A 1000-pound bomb hit the ship. Luckily, the bomb did not explode. It was dropped from too low a height to arm itself in time.
Even though the bomb did not explode, it caused a lot of damage. After the bomb hit, the Harriers then fired their 30mm guns at the Narwal. These aircraft were Sea Harriers from the Fleet Air Arm's 800 Naval Air Squadron. The pilots were Fl Lt Morgan and Lt Cdr Batt.
The two Harriers were originally on a bombing mission to Port Stanley. However, they could not complete their mission due to low clouds. On their way back to the Hermes, they found the Narwal. They got permission to attack the ship.
Capture and Sinking
After the attack, a team of British SBS soldiers arrived. They reached the Narwal using a Sea King Mk.4 helicopter. This helicopter was from 846 Naval Air Squadron. The soldiers captured the ship, which was no longer moving.
They took everyone off the ship. This included the body of Omar Alberto Rupp, the boatswain of the Narwal. He had been killed by the bomb's impact. The Narwal was then taken in tow by another ship. However, it sank the very next day, on May 10. Among those captured was Captain Juan Carlos González. He was from the Argentine Navy's information services. He was released after the war ended.
What Happened Next
Omar Alberto Rupp was buried at sea by the British on May 10. Meanwhile, an Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma helicopter was sent by the Argentine Army. It was going to rescue the crew of the Narwal. The helicopter had received a distress signal from the ship.
However, the helicopter was shot down by the British destroyer HMS Coventry. The Coventry used a Sea Dart missile. All three people on board the helicopter were killed.
