ARA Fournier shipwreck anniversary marks 77 years

The Argentine Navy commemorates the 77th anniversary of the sinking of the ARA ‘Fournier’ in the Magellan Strait. On September 21, 1949, the vessel was caught in a severe storm while traveling from Río Gallegos to Ushuaia, causing it to capsize and sink in freezing waters.

The ship, which had been in service since 1940, was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Carlos Negri. Among the 77 fatalities were 75 Navy personnel and two civilians, naturalist Raúl Wernicke and his son Julio.

Throughout its decade of service, the ARA ‘Fournier’ performed various roles, including supporting Antarctic campaigns, patrolling for illegal fishing, and conducting rescues of vessels such as the tugboat ‘Olco’ and the Chilean sailboat ‘Cóndor’.