The Final Submarine Victim of the Modern Era: ARA General Belgrano

The last ship confirmed to have been sunk by a submarine torpedo occurred on May 2, 1982, during the Falklands War. This event marks a significant moment in naval history, as the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano was sunk by the British submarine HMS Conqueror. This event represents the end of an era where submarines were capable of sinking large surface ships with acoustic torpedoes.

ARA General Belgrano: A Legendary Argentine Cruiser

ARA General Belgrano was the ex-USS Phoenix, a powerful heavy cruiser that served in the Argentine Navy. Known for its design and capabilities, General Belgrano was a significant part of the Argentine military formation during the Falklands War.

The Falklands War and the Sinking of ARA General Belgrano

The Falklands War, fought between the United Kingdom and Argentina, was a protracted conflict that lasted from April 2 to June 14, 1982. During this war, the Royal Navy employed advanced technology, including the submersible HMS Conqueror, to target and sink the Argentine cruiser.

On the night of May 2, 1982, HMS Conqueror launched a salvo of three acoustic torpedoes, which struck and ultimately sank ARA General Belgrano. The ship went down with a devastating loss of life, marking a tragic end to the cruiser's career and a significant blow to the Argentine military's naval capabilities.

Post-Collapse Evidence and International Debate

In the aftermath of the incident, various forms of evidence supported the claim that ARA General Belgrano was sunk by the acoustic torpedoes from HMS Conqueror. However, there remain debates and discussions about the exact circumstances of the sinking. While North Korean submarines later became notorious for their involvement in sinking the South Korean ship ROKS Cheonan in 2010, the sinking of the General Belgrano remains a pivotal moment in naval warfare history.

United States Submarine Incidents

There have been other instances of submarines engaging in demonstrations or accidental sinkings. For example, in 2001, the USS Greenville conducted a demonstration emergency surface blow while hit by its own torpedo and sank the Japanese training ship, the Eihme Maru. Another notable incident in 1945 involved HMS Tiptoe and HMS Trump destroying an 800-ton coastal tanker in the Sunda Strait. While submarines have caused significant damage to ships in wartime, it is rare for submarines to engage in sinking larger surface ships with torpedoes.

Conclusion

The sinking of ARA General Belgrano by HMS Conqueror marks the end of a significant period in naval history where submarines posed a real threat to large surface ships. As technology has advanced, the role of submarines in naval warfare has evolved, and the risk of such incidents has diminished. The Falklands War stands as a testament to the capabilities and limitations of naval technology during the last century.