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On the 40th anniversary - remembering the role of Sailors’ Society in the Falklands War

7 Apr, 2022

This week, international maritime charity Sailors’ Society is recalling the role it played in the Falklands War 40 years ago.

On April 9 1982, the ocean liner SS Canberra departed from Portsmouth to carry the Parachute Regiment and Royal Marines to the Islands more than 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km) from the United Kingdom.

At the same time, the ship’s owners contacted Sailors’ Society asking them to draw up contingency plans to notify the family of crew members in the event of loss of life.

By the end of the month, the Society had also been asked to be there for the families of the Merchant Navy crews of the Europic, Baltic and Nordic ferries and the Allegra.

Also added to that list would be the SS Uganda which became a hospital ship.

Sailors’ Society CEO Sara Baade said: “During the 74-day conflict, the Society’s chaplains would make more than 400 visits to offer help to families.

“In 1982, in that time of war, we were able to harness our network of chaplains to be there for anxious family members. Today our chaplains are actively working with families in Ukraine.

“Our chaplains and volunteers help hundreds of thousands of seafarers and their families every year.

“Now, as then, we extend a hand of friendship, hospitality and pastoral care to everyone we meet.”

Nine members of the Merchant Navy died in the war, alongside 255 British Military personnel, three Falklands’ islanders and eight members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

ENDS

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