# Falklands Warship Mutiny- Any Truth **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 20, 2002, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687 "2002-04-20T17:42:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2002, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/1 "2002-04-20T17:42:32Z")
Just after the Falklands War I met the brother of a friend. He had just returned from the Falklands. During a drunken evening he alluded to one of the warships despatched from Blighty having to be escorted home after something approaching a mutiny on board. He siad that it had been hushed up. I have searched for any information on this without success. After 20 years I would have expected something to have leaked out, but … nada. Was he just bullshitting or did something like this really occur? ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2002, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/2 "2002-04-20T19:08:43Z")
The story I heard was that a battalion (The RWF) refused to disembark from a troopship-this was after the landing ship “SIR GALAHAD” was struck by two Argentine bombs-quite a large loss of life, and many soldiers were horribly burned. I don’t know if this was a real mutiny, but I’m sure a few were court-martialed for it! ---
**Author:** ![BrianMc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/90db22/32.png) [@BrianMc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianMc)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2002, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/3 "2002-04-20T20:30:04Z")
Is it true that the British navy is so weak that they couldn’t even take the Falklands at this date? ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2002, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/4 "2002-04-20T20:33:39Z")
No, it’s not. The RN is in a poor and underfunded state, but in a crisis could eventually roll out all three light carriers and a number of modern frigates, destroyers and SSNs. We couldn’t take on most other modern western nations, but would be more than a naval match for most of South America. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2002, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/5 "2002-04-20T20:44:34Z")
If the “mutiny” story has any basis in the _Sir Galahad_ trgedy, it was concerning the Welsh Guards, not the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The following a quote from history of the Falklands War published 1983 by Marshall Cavendish: the incident happened on the 8th of June 1982. > [@](#): > > It was a clear day. This meant that the danger of an Argentine air attack was very much increased, and a dilemma fell upon the Welshmen. They were now on board the _Sir Galahad_. But should they weigh anchor and get out to sea and safety? Or get on with their move to Bluff Cove and hope for the best? > > Ewen Southby-Tailyour, the Royal Marine major who had mapped the coastline in 1978, was horrified to see the two ships [_Sir Tristram and Sir Galahad_] in Port Pleasant outside Fitzroy. He went aboard the _Sir Galahad_ to find out what was going on. She had been intended to go to Bluff Cove, but the LSL couldn’t get up the narrow channel to the planned disembarkation beach. > > \ > > Bluff Cove and Fitzroy are some five miles apart as the crow flies, linked by a short track and a bridge over a long, narrow inlet. But Argentines had blown the bridge so 1WG would face a walk of some 20 miles – right round the inlet. Not on, said the senior Guards officer, not after all the messing around of the previous few days. Southby-Tailyour pleaded with the Guards to get ashore and let the ships get out to sea. Finally, they agreed. But 5 Brigade’s medics … were to disembark first. At 1300 hours, the two ships were attacked by Argentine Skyhawks and Mirages. Blame at the time was laid with the Welsh Guards for not disembarking when asked to, and that the unloading, when it did start, happened too slowly. From the [Hansard record](http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld199900/ldhansrd/pdvn/nineties/text/60618-45.htm) of 18 June 1996, Lord Kenet’s speech, apparently from the House of Lords debate then on the death penalty during peacetime (British dopers could help pin-point this better, I would think): > [@](#): > > The Falklands war was never declared; that is why it was called the Falklands conflict throughout. There were situations that could easily have involved mutiny, and perhaps did. I need go no further. All Members of the Committee will remember. If a soldier had disobeyed orders in such a way as to endanger his comrades in that conflict, according to what we have just been told by the Minister, he could not have suffered the death penalty. ---
**Author:** ![Hemlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Hemlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hemlock)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/6 "2002-04-21T05:54:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crusoe \* > \*\*No, it’s not. The RN is in a poor and underfunded state, but in a crisis could eventually roll out all three light carriers and a number of modern frigates, destroyers and SSNs. We couldn’t take on most other modern western nations, but would be more than a naval match for most of South America. \*\* Off topic, but I’m pretty sure the RN comes second only to the USN among western navies. The French and maybe Japanese would be close runners-up. ---
**Author:** ![Deptford](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Deptford](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deptford)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/7 "2002-04-21T13:11:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crusoe \* > \*\*No, it’s not. The RN is in a poor and underfunded state, but in a crisis could eventually roll out all three light carriers and a number of modern frigates, destroyers and SSNs. We couldn’t take on most other modern western nations, but would be more than a naval match for most of South America. \*\* Well a quick look at the official web-site gives a fleet strength of 3 Carriers 11 Destroyers 20 Frigates 16 Submarines plus sundry patrol boats, minesweepers, tenders etc etc. There are also plans afoot to replace the old carriers with 2 new much bigger ones.The current crop are ‘pocket carriers’. Suitable for Harrier jumpjets and helicopters only and with very limited air group. The new ones will be much larger and more capable.Not quite Nimitz class but still a vast increase in capabilities ---
**Author:** ![Komsomol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecc23a/32.png) [@Komsomol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Komsomol)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/8 "2002-04-21T15:53:54Z")
There was no mutiny, as my uncle so elequently put as he served on the destroyer you have mentioned but there was some drunk sailors who had got up to the command deck and acted like dicks thats all. ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/9 "2002-04-21T16:13:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Komsomol \* > \*\*There was no mutiny, as my uncle so elequently put as he served on the destroyer you have mentioned but there was some drunk sailors who had got up to the command deck and acted like dicks thats all. \*\* Which destroyer was it that your events took place on? The guy who told me about this said that a group of sailors was removed back to Blighty under armed guard- did that happen in your case? ---
**Author:** ![Komsomol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecc23a/32.png) [@Komsomol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Komsomol)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/10 "2002-04-21T16:31:56Z")
Yes, as they did threaten the crew of the invincible the aircraft carrier I should of said this before. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/11 "2002-04-21T16:37:31Z")
No there was no mutiny, it could not have been hushed up from other RN personnel and I never heard of it at that time nor any other. As for the the Galahad incident, the problem was that the OC of the Welsh guards outranked the OC of the escorting warship, I think it was HMS Rosyth but memory fades a little. When the small convoy went into Fitzwilliam sound the captain of the escort recommended immediate disembarkation but the OC of the Wel guas, a brigadier I believe ignored him statng that his men had been cooped up for weeks on the journey down there, that they would not get another chance to rest for who knows how long. There were other units on the land around the bay who couldn’t believe what was happening, the Welsh gaurds didn’t even set up air defence systems which they had availabe for deployment. We all know what happened, and if the Argentine ground tropps had fought back more detemindly the effective loss of the brigade could have proved crucial, we were very lucky indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/12 "2002-04-21T16:42:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Komsomol \* > \*\*Yes, as they did threaten the crew of the invincible the aircraft carrier I should of said this before. \*\* Any further information- when, where, how, who, result etc.? ---
**Author:** ![Komsomol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecc23a/32.png) [@Komsomol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Komsomol)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/13 "2002-04-21T17:02:16Z")
Oh i was lying, y’know to be a big shot! But I my uncle did serve in the navy in the falklands ---
**Author:** ![CaptBilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@CaptBilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptBilly)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/14 "2002-04-21T17:05:52Z")
I believe that the last mutiny in the RN occured in the latter stages of WWII, after VE Day. It happened on a LST type ship in the Panama Canal Zone something about British and American sailors working different routines. CaptBilly ---
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/15 "2002-04-21T18:55:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Komsomol \* > **Oh i was lying, y’know to be a big shot!** Memo to **Komsomol** : Just to help you get adjusted to how things work around here…in the General Questions forum, that kind of behavior to which you have just confessed is frowned upon. I think that would go for just about any other forum on the SDMB, as well. Did you see that bit about “fighting ignorance” on the Straight Dope homepage? It’s taken seriously around here. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/16 "2002-04-21T20:42:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Komsomol \* > \*\*Oh i was lying, y’know to be a big shot! But I my uncle did serve in the navy in the falklands \*\* Lying is not permitted here. If you do it again, you risk losing your posting privileges. bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![Squire-Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Squire-Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squire-Bob)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2002, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/17 "2002-04-23T13:02:05Z")
I resent any comment to that say the RN was incapable of taking the Falklands due to years of Mis managment and cost cutting the royal navy is a shadow of its proud world conquering past. But it remains the best trained navy in the world with a tradition and history many countires entire armed forces would be proud of. The Frtench ‘Navy’ Has never achieved anything of value since it was first formed, the Japanese navy is limited to coastal defence vessels. I find it hard to believe such a event took place on a navy vessel. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2002, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/18 "2002-04-23T16:47:46Z")
> [@](#): > > I resent any comment to that say the RN was incapable of taking the Falklands due to years of Mis managment and cost cutting the royal navy is a shadow of its proud world conquering past. **But it remains the best trained navy in the world** with a tradition and history many countires entire armed forces would be proud of. The Frtench ‘Navy’ Has never achieved anything of value since it was first formed, the Japanese navy is limited to coastal defence vessels. I find it hard to believe such a event took place on a navy vessel. I question the bolded part of your post (my bolds). In what way is the training better than, for instance, the US Navy? ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2002, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/19 "2002-04-23T17:56:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Squire-Bob \* > **The Frtench ‘Navy’ Has never achieved anything of value since it was first formed…** Except, perhaps, permit the creation of the United States…? Check me on this, but were not the naval vessels keeping Cornwallis trapped in Yorktown… _French_? IIRC, it was Cornwallis’ forced capitulation the finally put ‘paid’ to the British war effort during the American Revolution? And did not a British relief fleet go elsewhere, rather than face those French warships in battle? Sounds pretty valuable to _this_ American. Thanks, Comte de Grasse! ---
**Author:** ![RiverRunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2002, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687/20 "2002-04-23T18:28:52Z")
> [@](#): > > I question the bolded part of your post (my bolds). In what way is the training better than, for instance, the US Navy? I can’t claim to be supremely knowledgeable regarding the British Navy (or ours, for that matter), so I will not be able to resolve this issue, **but** I can at least butt in and mention that the British submariners, at least, receive superb training. Whose is best is of course debatable, but for a “quick and dirty” analysis of the submariners’ training in both navies, Tom Clancy’s **Submarine** is handy. It’s not terribly well-written, but it contains a fair amount of information. RR [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-warship-mutiny-any-truth/104687.md?page=2)