When HMS Ardent made her lonely midnight run into Falkland Sound, one hour ahead of the British amphibious group that would retake the Falkland Islands, the average age of the 200 men on board was 23.
In the crucial hours that followed, her naval gunfire support kept enemy troops and aircraft pinned down at Goose Green and Darwin. Despite a few scares, it all looked good. Until 5.44pm. At that moment, in the gloom of the gathering dusk, Ardent came under the most concentrated attack of any ship taking part in the landings. She was hit 17 times in 22 minutes and one in four of her ship's company were either killed or wounded. She lost a higher proportion of her men than any other fighting unit in the war. So why has the British public forgotten her name?
Through Fire and Water tells the frigate's story, from Christmas 1981 in Amsterdam to her sinking in Falkland Sound - and beyond. It follows the families who waved off sons, lovers, brothers, husbands and fathers as she left the dockyard. It explains what it was like for British sailors in the Falklands and what it was like for the families waiting at home. It describes the sickening fear of being singled out for destruction, the despair as those on board tried to save their ship and their mates - in that order - while bomb after bomb came crashing down.Praise for Through Fire and Water:
'A compelling account' - Sunday Mercury
'A very good book, told from the view of the sailors with all the detail of the lower deck. The background and home life of the crew covered too ... One of the most moving books I have read' - Amazon review
Mark Higgitt is a journalist who lives in South Warwickshire with his wife. They have two daughters.