Battle of Seal Cove

Battle of Seal Cove
Part of Falklands War

Sketch depicting the chase of the Argentine coastal vessel Monsunen by British frigates
Details
  • # The coastal ship ARA Monsunen, after sailing out from Fox bay, is tracked by the British frigates HMS Brilliant and HMS Yarmouth under orders of capturing her.
  • # The British force pin up the supply vessel off Lively island
  • # The Brilliant Sea Lynx helicopter, with SBS troops onboard, is forced to withdraw under heavy machine gun fire.
  • # The Monsunen radar detects the two frigates about 8 miles behind her and approaching at high speed. The warships start to shell the small vessel, which evades the British salvos by running aground on Seal Cove, blinding the British radar
  • # After further shelling, the British abandoned the pursuit, making back to San Carlos. ARA Monsunen is rescued by another coastal ship, ARA Forrest, and taken in tow to Darwin.
  • # After uploading Monsunens cargo, Forrest managed to reach Port Stanley on 25 May.
Date23 May 1982
Location52°2′S 58°40′W / 52.033°S 58.667°W / -52.033; -58.667
Result Argentine victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom United Kingdom Argentina Argentina
Commanders and leaders
Captain Anthony Morton
(HMS Yarmouth)
Captain John Coward
(HMS Brilliant)
Captain Jorge A. Gopcevich-Canevari
(ARA Monsunen)
Strength
1 Type 22 frigate
1 Rothesay-class frigate
1 armed coastal ship
Casualties and losses
None 1 coastal ship beached
(later taken in tow and rescued by ARA Forrest)
1 wounded
Battle of Seal Cove is located in Falkland Islands
Battle of Seal Cove
Location within Falkland Islands

The Battle of Seal Cove was a minor naval action west of Lively Island, during the 1982 Falklands War. On the evening of 22 May 1982, while supporting Operation Sutton off San Carlos Bay, the British frigates HMS Brilliant and HMS Yarmouth received orders to stop and seize the Argentine Navy armed coastal supply boat ARA Monsunen. Under heavy shelling, the coaster managed to avoid capture by grounding on a nearby inlet.