kids encyclopedia robot

RFA Sir Galahad (1966) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts


Galahad82.jpg
RFA Sir Galahad in 1982
Quick facts for kids
History
Royal Fleet Auxiliary ensign.United Kingdom
Namesake Galahad
Builder Alexander Stephen and Sons
Laid down February 1965
Launched 19 April 1966
Commissioned 17 December 1966
Identification IMO number: 6615508
Fate
  • Destroyed 8 June 1982, during Falklands War
  • Hull sunk on 21 June as a target by submarine HMS Onyx
  • Declared war grave post-war
General characteristics
Class and type Round Table class LSL
Tonnage
  • 6,390 GRT
  • 2,215 t DWT
Displacement
  • 3,322 t standard
  • 5,765 t fully loaded
Length 412 ft (126 m)
Beam 60 ft (18 m)
Draught 13 ft (4.0 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 Mirrlees National ALSSDM10 diesels.
  • Power: 9,400 bhp (7,010 kW)
Speed 17 knots (31 km/h)
Range 9,200 nautical miles (17,040 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Capacity 2,443 tonnes
Complement 68 crew, up to 534 passengers
Armament Two 40 mm Bofors AA guns.
Aircraft carried Up to 20 Wessex helicopters (1973)

RFA Sir Galahad (L3005) was a Round Table class landing ship logistics (LSL) vessel belonging to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary of the United Kingdom.

The ship saw service in the Falklands War of 1982, where she was bombed and set afire at Fitzroy on 8 June.

Background

She was first managed for the British Army by the British-India Steam Navigation Company, before being transferred in 1970 to the RFA, and was manned by Hong Kong Chinese civilian crew.

Design and construction

The Sir Galahad was a 3,322-tonne LSL built by Stephens and launched in 1966. She was built to merchant standards, which aided her destruction. She could carry 340 troops or, when necessary, 534 for short periods. Cargo capacity could include 16 light tanks, 34 mixed vehicles, 122 tonnes of fuel and 31 tonnes of ammunition. Landing craft could be carried in place of lifeboats, but unloading was mainly handled by three onboard cranes.

Operational history

1970

In November and December 1970 Sir Galahad was involved in Operation Burlap giving humanitarian assistance to East Pakistan after a cyclone caused extensive damage and flooding.

Falklands War and loss

Sir Galahad was a part of the British task force during the Falklands War, sailing from HMNB Devonport on 6 April 1982, with 350 Royal Marines.

The vessel entered San Carlos Water, East Falkland, on 21 May. Three days later, on 24 May, Sir Galahad was attacked by a formation of strike aircraft – McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawks and IAI Daggers – of the Argentine Air Force's IV Brigada Aérea. Lieutenant Luis Alberto Cervera, in a Skyhawk, dropped a British-pattern 1,000 pound (450 kg) bomb that lodged inside the ship, but did not detonate. The ship was also hit by cannon fire from the Daggers.

Royal Marine volunteers returned to the Sir Galahad to assist a Royal Navy EOD team in defusing the unexploded 1,000 lb bomb, physically carrying the bomb through to the rear tank deck ramp, where it was placed in an inflatable boat – filled with packets of cornflakes to act as padding – and taken out into San Carlos water where the boat was punctured and sunk.

After removal of the unexploded bomb, the ship carried out supply runs to Teal Inlet, along with RFA Sir Percivale.

On 8 June, while preparing to unload soldiers from the Welsh Guards, in Port Pleasant, Fitzroy, together with RFA Sir Tristram, Sir Galahad was attacked by three Skyhawks from the Argentine V Brigada Aérea, each carrying three US-pattern Mark 82 500 lb (227 kg) bombs, with retarding tails. At approximately 14:00 local time, Sir Galahad was hit by two or three bombs, which exploded and started fires. The explosions and subsequent fire caused the deaths of 48 crew and soldiers.

Following the air attack, the fires quickly began to burn out of control. The main evacuation of the injured and wounded was organised and carried out by the ship's Royal Marine detachment. The Marines organised the launch of life rafts from the bow of the ship, whilst at the same time marshaling helicopters for personnel to be winched clear. Immediate first aid was given to those most seriously wounded and a triage system set up.

BBC television cameras recorded images of Royal Navy helicopters hovering in thick smoke to winch survivors from the burning landing ships.

Other units affected included 3 Troop—of 20 Field Squadron, 36 Engineer Regiment—which was temporarily attached to 9 Independent Parachute Squadron and was being transported on the Galahad to provide engineering support following the landings. Engineers feature prominently in contemporary footage showing two lifeboats landing survivors. Also on board were 16 Field Ambulance, who assisted with the treatment and evacuation of the many casualties.

Chiu Yiu-Nam, a seaman on Sir Galahad, was later awarded the George Medal for rescuing ten men trapped by a fire in the bowels of the ship. The captain, Philip Roberts, was reportedly the last to leave Sir Galahad, and was subsequently awarded the DSO for his leadership and courage. Royal Marine Sergeant Brian Dolivera was mentioned in dispatches, related to his work on the evacuation.

After the Falklands War

The Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel - geograph.org.uk - 1527870
Sir Galahad's bell in The Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, Pangbourne, Berks

On 21 June, the hulk was towed out to sea by the RMAS Tug Typhoon and sunk by HMS Onyx using torpedoes; it is now an official war grave, designated as a protected place under the Protection of Military Remains Act.

Guardsman Simon Weston was among the survivors of the attack on Sir Galahad. He suffered 46% burns and his story has been widely reported in television and newspaper coverage. Ten years after Sir Galahad was sunk, Weston was awarded the OBE. Other survivors included the intelligence consultant Crispin Black.

A replacement ship entered service in 1988, carrying the same name and pennant number.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: RFA Sir Galahad (1966) para niños

kids search engine
RFA Sir Galahad (1966) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.