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...From the politcal angle it was also a convenient distraction from the economic troubles Britain and Maggie Thatcher were going through at the time.

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Interesting viewpoint. Here's another, courtesy of Wikipedia:
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"Argentina was in the midst of a devastating economic crisis and large-scale civil unrest against the military junta that was governing Argentina in the period leading up to the war. The government, headed by President General Leopoldo Galtieri, decided to play off long-dated nationalistic sentiment by launching what it thought would be a quick and easy war to reclaim the Falkland Islands. The ongoing tension between the two countries over the islands increased on 19 March when 50 Argentines landed on the British dependency of South Georgia and raised their flag, an act that is seen as the first offensive action in the war. On 2 April, Galtieri ordered the 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands, triggering the Falklands War."

More here...
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I know that "the victors write the history", but lets strive for a bit more accuracy and objectivity. Argentina upset the status quo, and England responded. They didn't initiate anything, other than to occupy the islands in 1833 (see this reference for the timeline of the history of occupation of the Falklands).

Now, on to ships sunk.

Argentina - ARA General Belgrano, sunk by HMS Conqueror
Britain - HMS Sheffield, sunk by Exocet missile
Britain - HMS Ardent, sunk by Argentine aircraft
Britain - HMS Antelope, sunk by Argentine aircraft
Britain - MV Atlantic Conveyor, sunk by Exocet missile
Britain - HMS Coventry, sunk by Argentine aircraft
Britain - RFA Sir Galahad (Landing ship, no armament), sunk by Argentine aircraft
Britain - RFA Sir Tristram (Landing ship, no armament), sunk by Argentine aircraft

None were sunk by "shore fire" of any kind. All were either from aircraft launched Exocet missiles or from aircraft dropped bombs.

A unique byproduct of this war was to change several things within the US Navy. Ship design began to steer away from all aluminum ships and uniforms materials were changed to avoid use of nylon in manufacture (due to the flammable nature of nylon, many sailors were severely burned by their uniforms igniting. These lessons were passed on to and adopted by the US Navy). It was an interesting spot of naval history - it marked the first time a nuclear powered submarine had fired a shot in anger (HMS Conqueror).

Much more on the Falklands can be found at your local library, and from reputable online sources such as GlobalSecurity.org, Janes.org, US Naval War College, and Wikipedia.





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