HMS Sheffield (D80) was a Type 42 guided missile destroyer commissioned into the Royal Navy on 16 February 1975. She was the second ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name, honoring the city of Sheffield in Yorkshire. The vessel was part of Task Force 317 during the Falklands War and was sunk on 10 May 1982 after being struck by an Exocet missile launched by an Argentine Super \xc9tendard aircraft on 4 May 1982. The attack caused catastrophic fires and structural damage, leading to the ship foundering under tow. Twenty crew members died in the incident. The wreck lies at 53\xb004′S, 56\xb056′W and is protected under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 as a war grave.
HMS Sheffield – Quick facts: Name: HMS Sheffield (D80) Class & Type: Type 42 guided missile destroyer Fate: Sunk on 10 May 1982 following Exocet missile attack Key Event: First Royal Navy vessel sunk in action since World War II Casualties: 20 crew members lost The sinking of HMS Sheffield marked a turning point in naval warfare, highlighting vulnerabilities to anti-ship missiles and prompting changes in British naval defense doctrine, including the adoption of the "handbrake" emergency procedure. The ship’s legacy is preserved through memorials and historical accounts, including survivor testimonies and detailed documentaries.