Reassertion of British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (1833) Reassertion of British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (1833) In December 1832, two naval vessels were sent by the United Kingdom to re-assert British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (), after the United Provinces of the River Plate (part of which later became Argentina) ignored British diplomatic protests over the appointment of Luis Vernet as governor of the Falkland Islands and a dispute over fishing rights. In 1765, Captain John Byron explored Saunders Island, which lies 1.5 miles (2.5 km) off the coast of West Falkland. He named the harbour Port Egmont, and claimed this and other islands for Britain,
Bishop of the Falkland Islands authority over the Falkland Islands was abolished; today the Rector of the Cathedral reports directly to the Archbishop of Canterbury and receives pastoral guidance from the Archbishop's Commissary, who since July 2014 has been Nigel Stock, Bishop to the Forces. The Archbishop retains the title Bishop of the Falkland Islands, while his Commissary takes the title Bishop "for" the Falkland Islands. Stock retired in August 2017; and Tim Thornton, his replacement as Bishop of Lambeth, also became Bishop to the Forces and Bishop for the Falkland Islands upon his commissioning on 6 September 2017. Bishop of the Falkland Islands The