In the spring of 1982, a great ship departed the Port of Baltimore with a blank manifest.

The log entry read 4 May, 1800 hours, when the containership Atlantic Conveyor pushed off from the piers at Dundalk Marine Terminal for the last time.

Through a requisition program by the British Ministry of Defense called Ships Taken Up From Trade, Atlantic Conveyor was ordered to Southampton, England, and converted to a warship. Britain was at war for repossession of the Falkland Islands from Argentina. Merchant vessels were needed to transport equipment and stores to the southern coast of Argentina.

The conversion was clever. “Containers were left onboard, stacked port side and starboard to hide the Harrier jets,” said Phillip Sybert, then-ship superintendent, Baltimore. “Chinook helicopters were also rolled into the bow of the ship.”

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Deployed to the South Atlantic, Atlantic Conveyor embarked for Ascension Island by mid-May. Upon arrival, the requisitioned ship headed for the Carrier Battle Group to deliver its cargo. Only the Harrier jets were successfully lifted from the converted main deck.

On May 25, Atlantic Conveyor was hit by a missile fired from an Argentine Super Etendard jet fighter. Listing and settling heavily in the sea, it sank two days later. Twelve men died upon Atlantic Conveyor, including its commander, Capt. Ian North. Four British warships were lost at sea along with the Atlantic Conveyor during the Falkland War, which ended June 14, 1982, with Argentine surrender.

Commercial cargo service with Cunard Line, owners of the ill-fated Conveyor, continued uninterrupted to Baltimore and other East Coast ports. “All cargo destined for Baltimore was consolidated and loaded in Southampton, England. Fortunately, the next five ships in the fleet kept the cargo moving on schedule,” Sybert said.

Baltimore dock workers and terminal operators were devastated by the loss of North and crew. In 1984, a full-colors mariner tribute to sunken ships was delivered.

That same year, five new-generation container vessels were launched by Cunard. One of them, christened Atlantic Conveyor, still docks at Baltimore piers.

A longtime export analyst and consultant, Joseph R. Hughes’ maritime-related articles have appeared in numerous publications. He is a native Baltimorean. E-mail your questions to him at jhughes_47@yahoo.com.