Built as a cargo vessel under yard No 477 by the Brodogradiliste “III May”, Rijeka, Yugoslavia for the Empresa Lineas Maritimes Argentinas (ELMA).
19 February 1961 launched under the name RIO CARCARANA.
Tonnage 8.482 grt, 4.364 net, 10.430 dwt., dim. 157.36 x 20.35 x 9.45m., length bpp. 144.1m.
One Fiat diesel 10.300 hp., one screw, speed 17 knots.
Six holds.
1962 Delivered to owners.
During the hostilities between the United Kingdom and Argentine over the sovereignty of the Falkland islands (Malvinas) in 1982 was she used as a transport.
20 April 1982 after been able to avoid the blockade of the British submarines HMS SPLENDID, SPARTAN and CONQUEROR, she anchored in Port Grussac, where after she commenced transferring her cargo in the transport ship ISLAS DE LOS ESTADOS until the 29th.
01 May she came under attack of a Sea Harrier board-gun without damage.
Following orders from the Malvinas Naval Command she weighed anchor with most of her cargo still on board, and she moved to the Bull Bay to the south of the East Falklands, for hiding.
The next day she moved to the Fox Bay in West Falkland where she continued to discharge her cargo in the ISLA DE LOS ESTADOS.
On 3 May she moved to George Bay in the Falkland Sound, East Falkland where she continued unloading operations and acting as a supply ship for the MONSUNEN and FORREST the two Falkland Island coastal vessel, who both were seized by the Argentinean forces.
She also continued discharging to the ISLA DE LOS ESTADOS during severe weather conditions.
10 May she finished discharging, and on orders of the Naval Command she stayed at anchor there waiting for orders.
16th May she came again under attack of Sea Harriers who dropt two bombs that missed the target, thereafter she was machine gunned during three attacks carried out with the 30mm board guns of the Harriers, which caused considerable damage to the superstructure and hull, fortunately without causalities.
The RIO CARCARANA without any air defence was on orders of the Captain abandoned the same day, the crew was rescued by the FORREST where after they were transferred to Fox Bay and interned until they could be evacuated with the ARA BAHIA PARAISO a hospital ship to the mainland on 5 June.
23 May the RIO CARCARANA came under attack of a British frigate, and she sank in position 51 53S and 59 32W.
On Argentine 1990 3000a sg 2216, scott 1707.
Sources: Watercraft Philately Vol 38 page 38. Modern Shipping Disasters 1963-1987. Lloyds Shipping Index. El Sextante No 3, article by Salvador Alaimo on Argentine Ships in the Falkland Islands.