General Belgrano Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Status historic
General belgrano Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		55 24 S,61 32 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: -55.400000
  • Longitude: -61.533333
Water Depth 4100 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name GENERAL BELGRANO
Type cruiser (merchant)
Flag AR
Length 185.3 m
Width 21 m
Draught 7.3
Tonnage 10800
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk May 2, 1982
Original Detection Year 1982
Last Detection Year 2022
Original Source Lloyd's and Marine Underwriter's reports
Surveying Details H3740/82 6.5.82 POSN GIVEN AS APPROX 552400S, 613200W. (LL 4, 5 & 6.5.82). NCA. 8.12.82 POSN QUOTED IN ANSWER TO PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION, PUBLISHED IN HANSARD, IS 552700S, 612500W (S CHARLTON, DS5, 8.12.82, TELECON). NCA. 2.3.87 CAPTAIN'S ESTIMATE OF POSN WHEN TORPEDO STRUCK WAS 552400S, 613200W. POSN ACCORDING TO CONQUEROR WAS 553000S, 614000W. (THE SINKING OF THE BELGRANO, PP 102, 107). HH637/441/02 27.10.03 WK IN PA 5524.0S, 6132.0W NOW NATIONAL HISTORIC WK SITE AND WAR GRAVE. (ARGENTINIAN NM 19/222/03). NCA.
Last Amended Date Apr 12, 2024

Circumstances of loss

EX-USS PHOENIX, A BROOKLYN-CLASS LIGHT CRUISER. BUILT BY THE NEW YORK SHIPBUILDING CORPORATION, NEW JERSEY BETWEEN 1935 & 1938. 15 X 6 INCH, 8 X 5 INCH AA & 40MM & 20MM GUNS. 2 X SEACAT MISSILE SYSTEMS. TWO HELICOPTERS (ONE ON BOARD AT TIME OF LOSS). MAIN BELT ARMOUR 5 INCHES, DECK ARMOUR 2 INCHES. DECOMMISIONED IN JULY 1946 AND SOLD TO ARGENTINA. RENAMED 17 DE OCTUBRE. THREE MK 8 TORPEDOES WERE FIRED BY HMSM CONQUEROR, OF WHICH TWO STRUCK, ONE FWD WHICH BLEW OFF THE BOW AND ONE AFT OF THE ARMOUR BELT. THE LATTER EXPLODED IN THE AFT MACHINERY ROOM AND BURST UPWARDS. ELECTRICAL POWER WAS LOST AND THE SHIP BEGAN TO LIST TO PORT AND TO SINK BY THE BOW. 770 MEN WERE RECOVERED, 321 WERE LOST. THE COMMANDING OFFICER, CAPTAIN HECTOR BONZO, LATER TESTIFIED THAT THE ATTACK WAS LEGITIMATE (AS DID THE ARGENTINIAN GOVERNMENT IN 1994). (WIKI).

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 55 24 S,61 32 W
General Belgrano on Wreck Map General Belgrano Wreck on Google Map

More Cruiser Merchant Wrecks:

FAQ

Where is the GENERAL BELGRANO wreck located?

The GENERAL BELGRANO wreck is located at coordinates 55 24 S,61 32 W.

How deep is the seabed around the GENERAL BELGRANO?

The seabed around the GENERAL BELGRANO lies at approximately 4100 meters deep.

When did the GENERAL BELGRANO sink?

The GENERAL BELGRANO sank on May 2, 1982.

When was the wreck of the GENERAL BELGRANO discovered?

The wreck of the GENERAL BELGRANO was discovered in 1982.

What country did the GENERAL BELGRANO belong to?

The GENERAL BELGRANO belonged to AR.

What was the tonnage of the GENERAL BELGRANO?

The GENERAL BELGRANO had a tonnage of 10800 tons.

What type of wreck is the GENERAL BELGRANO?

The GENERAL BELGRANO is classified as a cruiser (merchant).

Back to Wrecks