A bit of Falklands history.
After 41 years service the SS Great Britain was retired to the Falkland Islands in 1884 to be used as a floating warehouse before being scuttled in 1937.
Anyway from what I can make out:
- 1764 = French founded West Falklands
- 1765 = British founded East Falklands
- 1767 = Spain acquired the French colony
- 1770 = Spain attacked Port Egmont (British) but war was avoided with a peace treaty
- 1774 = due to the American Revolutionary War, Great Britain withdrew from overseas settlements but left behind a plaque asserting claim of the island.
- 1806 = Spain leaves the island but also leave a plaque asserting Spanish claim
- 1820 = Storm damage forced an Argentinian Frigate to take shelter and claimed the islands (the captain of the ship was American

)
- 1828 = A German named Luis Vernet established a settlement after seeking authorisation from both British and Argentine authorities
- 1831 = US warship USS Lexington raided the Falklands after a dispute over fishing and hunting rights.
The Americans destroyed the settlement and the Islands were declared free from all government after the senior members of the settlement were arrested for piracy.
- 1832 = Argentina sent Commander Mestivier to find settlement, but he was killed in a mutiny after 4 days

- 1833 = British forces returned and requested the Argentine garrison to leave the islands, after a brief protest they later complied meanwhile Luis Vernet's (the German) settlement continued under British rule
- 1834 = The islands were governed as a naval station
- 1840 = British Government establishes the Falkland Islands as a permanent colony
Not surprising the Americans are the ones to blame for this mess.