The ROKS `` Cheonan '' sinking occurred Coming_to_be on 26 March 2010 , when , a of the Republic of Korea Navy , carrying Carry_goods 104 personnel , sank Motion off the country 's west coast near Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea , killing Killing 46 seamen .

The combined air and sea attack killed Killing 34 crew members ( naval officers , seamen , two marines , and one civilian ) , wounded Bodily_harm 171 crew members , and severely damaged Damaging the ship .

Britain , by contrast , was at a high state of readiness with a well-organised command Control structure , but was suffering Confronting_problem from a severe shortage Confronting_problem of trained Education_teaching seamen with which to man its large navy .