World War II: The tanker (6,990 GRT, 1922) struck a mine in mouth of the Tyne and broke in two. The stern section sank and the bow section was towed to port. Five crew were killed.[1][3]
United Kingdom
World War II: The paddle steamer (235 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Southampton, Hampshire by Luftwaffe aircraft.[1]
World War II: The troopship (18,673 GRT, 1938) struck a mine off the mouth of the Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, United Kingdom and was beached at Tynemouth with her back broken. There was one casualty.[5][6] She broke in two, capsized, and sank in bad weather at 55°0.17′N1°23.72′W / 55.00283°N 1.39533°W / 55.00283; -1.39533 on 21–22 January 1941.[7][8]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (1,578 GRT, 1920) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (40°30′N13°30′W / 40.500°N 13.500°W / 40.500; -13.500) by U-37 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of her 29 crew. Survivors were rescued by the trawler Navemar (Spain).[1][9][10]
World War II: (1,337/1,747 t, 1931) Torpedoed 300 miles (480 km) west of Ireland by the Italian submarine Argo (Regia Marina) while escorting Convoy HG-47, and managed to return to Barrow-in-Furness largely under her own power,[11] but with 21 dead and without most of her bow
Nazi Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (5,943 GRT, 1923) was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Ostend, West Flanders, Belgium by Royal Air Force aircraft. She was later raised, repaired and returned to service.[12]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (6,242 GRT, 1937) was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Cape Verde, Portugal (15°00′N35°00′W / 15.000°N 35.000°W / 15.000; -35.000) by Admiral Scheer (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of eight of her 53 crew. 14 crew were taken as prisoners of war.[1][13]
2 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 2 December 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The tanker (8,376 GRT, 1931) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and severely damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 370 nautical miles (690 km) west of Bloody Foreland, County Donegal, Ireland (55°40′N19°00′W / 55.667°N 19.000°W / 55.667; -19.000) by U-47 (Kriegsmarine). She was torpedoed and sunk the next day at that location by U-95 (Kriegsmarine). All 53 crew were rescued by HMCS St. Laurent (Royal Canadian Navy).[1][14][15]
World War II: The armed merchant cruiser (16,402 GRT, 1922) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (54°35′N18°18′W / 54.583°N 18.300°W / 54.583; -18.300) by U-99 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 173 lives of the 194 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom), HMCS St. Laurent (Royal Canadian Navy) and HMS Viscount (Royal Navy).[1]
World War II: : The cargo ship (1,258 GRT, 1907) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Portugal (39°22′N14°22′W / 39.367°N 14.367°W / 39.367; -14.367) by U-37 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 16 of her 21 crew. Survivors were rescued by a Royal Navy destroyer.[1][18][19][20]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (2,465 GRT, 1919) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (39°19′N13°54′W / 39.317°N 13.900°W / 39.317; -13.900) by U-37 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of seven of her 26 crew. Survivors were rescued by (Royal Navy).[1][21][22]
United Kingdom
World War II: The coaster (483 GRT, 1936) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland. All crew were rescued.[1][23]
World War II: : The cargo ship (4,276 GRT, 1918) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean at approximately 54°N18°W / 54°N 18°W / 54; -18 by U-99 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 30 crew.[28][29][30][31]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (6,022 GRT, 1928) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 280 nautical miles (520 km) west of Bloody Foreland (55°36′N16°22′W / 55.600°N 16.367°W / 55.600; -16.367) by U-94 (Kriegsmarine). All crew were rescued by (United Kingdom).[1][32]
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The passenger ship (7,555 GRT, 1920) straggled behind the convoy due to defects with her steering. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean, (55°00′N19°30′W / 55.000°N 19.500°W / 55.000; -19.500) by U-47 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 56 people on board.[1][35]
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship (4,739 GRT, 1929) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by U-140 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 43 crew.[37]
The 69-foot (21 m) tug sank during a storm in 55 feet (17 m) of water in the North Atlantic Ocean off Jones Beach Island south of Long Island, New York. The cutterUSCGC Pontchartrain ( United States Coast Guard) took off her crew before she sank.[40][41]
World war II:The cargo ship (2,669 GRT, 1919) ran aground near the Songvår Lighthouse, Søgne, Vest-Agder and was wrecked. All 26 crew survived.[43]
5 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 5 December 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The collier (632 GRT, 1931) foundered in the Irish Sea north of Great Orme Head, Caernarvonshire with the loss of 10 crew.[44][45]
Calipso
Regia Marina
World War II: The Spica-classtorpedo boat (795/1,023 t, 1938) struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea east of Tobruk, Libya. 90 of her crew were killed. There were 39 survivors.[46][47]
World War II: The Town-classdestroyer (1,190/1,590 t, 1919/1940) was bombed while in drydock at Portsmouth, Hampshire by Luftwaffe aircraft. 14 crewmen were killed. She capsized as the drydock filled with water. Raised Feb. 1941 and repaired by April 1941 and used as a hull stress test ship.[1]
Nazi Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (5,830 GRT, 1938) sank three days after being intercepted in the Atlantic Ocean off the Azores, Portugal (38°28′N22°15′W / 38.467°N 22.250°W / 38.467; -22.250) by California (Royal Navy). After an attempt to scuttle her, she had been taken in tow to Gibraltar but sank en route. The 30 crew were captured.[1][25][48]
The cargo ship (347 GRT, 1914) suffered a boiler explosion, ran aground and was wrecked at Pickie, Bangor, Northern Ireland. The whole crew was rescued.[55][56]
Jupiter
Nazi Germany
World War II: The trawler (218 GRT, 1916) was sunk by enemy action.[1]
France
The collier (2,147 GRT, 1921) ran aground at Hartland Point, Devon, United Kingdom and was wrecked.[57]
Norway
World War II: : The cargo ship (1,374 GRT, 1940) ran aground off Iona, Inner Hebrides, United Kingdom and sank with the loss of all 20 crew.[58]
World War II: The Rainbow-classsubmarine (1,763/2,030 t, 1930) struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Taranto, Apulia, Italy with the loss of all 55 crew.
Norway
World War II: : The cargo ship (1,902 GRT, 1917) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by U-43 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 23 crew.[59]
United Kingdom
The ship (513 GRT, 1916) was abandoned in the Bristol Channel. Her ten crew were rescued by Rachel and Mary Evans ( Royal National Lifeboat Institution)[60]
United Kingdom
World War II: The coaster (554 GRT, 1939) struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary north of Whitstable, Kent with the loss of one crew member.[1][61]
World War II: The naval trawler (219 GRT, 1917) struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary north east of Sheerness, Kent.[63]
Royal Navy
World War II: The naval trawler (213 GRT, 1913) collided with (Royal Navy) at the mouth of the Humber. Both ships sank.[64][65]
Netherlands
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,237 GRT, 1929) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland (52°11′N22°56′W / 52.183°N 22.933°W / 52.183; -22.933) by U-99 (Kriegsmarine). with the loss of 16 of her 31 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Ambuscade (Royal Navy).[1][66]
Royal Navy
World War II: The guard ship (1,561 GRT, 1927) collided with (Royal Navy) at the mouth of the Humber. Both ships sank.[67]
World War II: : The cargo ship (2,499 GRT, 1920) ran aground between and , County Donegal, Ireland and was wrecked with the loss of ten of her 28 crew.[68]
Norway
World War II: The cargo ship (5,181 GRT, 1937) was shelled and sunk in the Pacific Ocean 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south of Nauru by Komet (Kriegsmarine).[1]
Canada
The sailing ship (1,747 GRT, 1923) was wrecked or foundered.[69]
8 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 8 December 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: The coaster (311 GRT, 1933) struck a mine and sank north west of the Isle of Sheppey, Kent 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off the (United Kingdom).[70]
Nazi Germany
The cargo ship (3,199 or 3,214 GRT, 1921) collided with (Nazi Germany) in the North Sea off Vlissingen, Zeeland, Netherlands and sank.[71]
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,652 GRT, 1920) straggled behind the convoy due to a broker rudder. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Ireland (55°12′N10°20′W / 55.200°N 10.333°W / 55.200; -10.333) by U-140 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 38 crew.[1][73][74]
Canada
The cargo ship (2,018 or 1,825 GRT, 1918) ran aground off Cape Bauld, Newfoundland and was wrecked.[75]
World War II: : The cargo liner (9,515 GRT, 1922) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 295 nautical miles (546 km) off the Slyne Head Lighthouse, County Galway Ireland (52°43′N18°07′W / 52.717°N 18.117°W / 52.717; -18.117) by U-103 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all hands, 1 Gunner, 230 Indian sailors, and 129 crewmen.[1][76]
The cargo ship (429 GRT, 1917) foundered in Liverpool Bay.[79]
Nazi Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (5,033 GRT, 1923) was intercepted in the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba (21°34′N84°25′W / 21.567°N 84.417°W / 21.567; -84.417) by HMS Diomede (Royal Navy) and an attempt was made to scuttle her. She finally sank on 9 December. The 45 men of the Idarwald’s crew were all captured by the Diomede.[1][80][81]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (3,900 GRT, 1938) was shelled and sunk in the Pacific Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) east of Nauru by Komet (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of two crew.[82]
The cargo ship's (4,330 GRT, 1909) steering gear failed and she ran aground at Clew Bay, County Mayo, Ireland and was wrecked.[90]
Italy
World War II: The tanker (5,257 GRT, 1914) struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea 27 nautical miles (50 km) south of Pantelleria with the loss of 2 lives.[91][92]
Kriegsmarine
The tug (109 GRT, 1903) was shelled and sunk in the English Channel off Cherbourg, Seine-Inférieure, France.[1][93]
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,306 GRT, 1920) straggled behind the convoy due to problems with her engine. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (53°40′N17°00′W / 53.667°N 17.000°W / 53.667; -17.000) by U-94 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 32 crew.[1][77][94]
Nazi Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (6,031 GRT, 1925) was intercepted in the Straits of Florida (24°55′N83°15′W / 24.917°N 83.250°W / 24.917; -83.250) by HNLMS Van Kinsbergen (Koninklijk Marine) and an attempt was made to scuttle her. The crew was picked up by the Van Kinsbergen. The burnt-out wreck was sunk later that day by HMS Caradoc (Royal Navy).[1][95]
World War II: : The cargo ship (10,890 GRT, 1911) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off St Kilda, Scotland (58°56′N11°20′W / 58.933°N 11.333°W / 58.933; -11.333) by U-96 with the loss of 22 of the 132 people on board. Survivors were rescued by , and (all Royal Navy).[1][96]
Netherlands
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,419 GRT, 1930) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west north west of the Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom (58°50′N10°10′W / 58.833°N 10.167°W / 58.833; -10.167 by U-96 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 18 of her 37 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Matabele (Royal Navy).[97]
12 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 12 December 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Greece
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,168 GRT, 1919) foundered in the Atlantic Ocean with the loss of all hands.[98][99]
Belgium
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,227 GRT, 1921) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) south of St Kilda, United Kingdom (57°52′N8°42′W / 57.867°N 8.700°W / 57.867; -8.700) by U-96 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of four of her 47 crew. Survivors were rescued by ( Iceland).[28][100][101]
Margrethe
Denmark
World War II: The fishing vessel (39 GRT, 1900) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Sylt, Germany. Three crew were killed.[102][103]
The La Melpomène-classtorpedo boat (610/834 t, 1938) sank in the Atlantic Ocean off the Eddystone Rocks during a storm with the loss of 101 crew. There were only 3 survivors who were rescued by Mistral (Free French Naval Forces).[1][25][108]
World War II: The cargo ship (3,380 GRT, 1924) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west-southwest of Rockall, Inverness-shire by U-100 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 34 crew.[1][109][110]
World War II: The cargo liner (10,926 GRT, 1929) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 400 nautical miles (740 km) west of the Orkney Islands (59°32′N17°47′W / 59.533°N 17.783°W / 59.533; -17.783) by U-96 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 15 of the 169 people on board; survivors were rescued by HMS Active (Royal Navy) and (United Kingdom).[1][113][114]
World War II: : The collier (2,301 GRT, 1928) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, United Kingdom (52°40′N2°10′E / 52.667°N 2.167°E / 52.667; 2.167) by and (both Kriegsmarine) with the loss of nine crew.[116][117]
World War II: The trawler (103 GRT, 1903) was sunk by enemy action.[116]
Spain
World War II: The coaster (223 GRT, 1919) was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Juby by U-37 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of the 28 people on board.[116][119][120]
World War II: The A-classdestroyer (1,350/1,773 t, 1931) struck a mine and sank in the English Channel off the Isle of Wight while on trials with the loss of 45 dockyard workers and 151 crewmen. There were 19 survivors.[121]
United Kingdom
World War II: The coaster (370 GRT, 1934) struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary south of Southend, Essex with the loss of six crew.[116][122]
United Kingdom
World War II: The coaster (869 GRT, 1922) struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary north of the Isle of Sheppey, Kent with the loss four of her six crew.[116][123]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (2,944 GRT, 1931) struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary north of the Isle of Sheppey with the loss of six of her crew.[124]
Royal Navy
World War II: The trawler (93 GRT, 1919) struck a mine and sank east of the Nore Sand Lightship with the loss of seven crew.[125]
World War II: The coaster (431 GRT) was shelled and sunk at Bardia by HMS Ladybird, HMS Terror (both Royal Navy), HMAS Voyager and HMAS Vendetta (both Royal Australian Navy).[116]
Finland
The cargo ship (1,883 GRT) collided with (Denmark) in the Kiel Canal, Germany and sank.[100]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (1,543 GRT, 1919) struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary north of Sheerness with the loss of 17 crew.[126]
KP-7
Soviet Navy
The ship ran aground on the Rodscher Bank, in the Baltic Sea and sank.[127]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (703 GRT, 1922) struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary north of Whitstable, Kent with the loss of eight crew.[116][128]
World War II: The passenger ship (181 GRT) departed from Istanbul, Turkey carry 327 passengers - Bulgarian Jewish refugees. She had a capacity for only 40 passengers. The ship foundered in the Sea of Marmara with the loss of 204 passengers.[130]
Royal Navy
World War II: The boom defence vessel (290 GRT, 1918) struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary north of Sheerness with the loss of 17 crew member.[116][131]
Italy
World War II: The coaster (190 GRT) was shelled and sunk at Bardia by HMS Ladybird, HMS Terror (both Royal Navy), HMAS Voyager and HMAS Vendetta (both Royal Australian Navy).[116]
18 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 18 December 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Greece
World War II: : The cargo ship (2,883 GRT, 1905) was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (54°24′N19°04′W / 54.400°N 19.067°W / 54.400; -19.067) by Veniero (Regia Marina) with the loss of 18 of her 28 crew. The survivors were taken as prisoners of war. She was observed drifting on 20 December, and later sank.[116][132][133]
Nazi Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (6,322 GRT, 1922) was anchored off Vlissingen, Netherlands, when she was sunk by depth charges dropped alongside her by MTB 31 (Royal Navy) after two failed torpedo attacks. There were 9 dead and missing and 39 survivors.[116][134]
World War II: The tug (172 GRT) was torpedoed and sunk in the Gironde Estuary by HMS Tuna (Royal Navy).[116]
Royal Navy
World War II: The tanker (1,010 GRT, 1914) was bombed and sunk in the Irish Sea off Wicklow Head, County Wicklow, Ireland by Focke-Wulf Fw 200 aircraft of I Staffeln, Kampfgeschwader 40, Luftwaffe. All crew were rescued.[25][136]
World War II: The tanker (8,024 GRT, 1936) struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary off the Nore Lightship (United Kingdom) with the loss of all 60 people on board.[116][139]
Norway
The cargo ship (147 GRT, 1891) foundered in the North Sea off Jæren, Rogaland. All six crew were rescued by a fishing vessel.[140][141]
Nazi Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (7,563 GRT, 1929) struck a mine in the Mediterranean Sea south of Livorno, Tuscany, Italy and sank.[116]
Nazi Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (7,605 GRT, 1930) struck a mine south of Livorno and sank.[116]
United Kingdom
World War II: The lightship tender (734 GRT, 1928) was bombed and sunk in St. George's Channel off Carnsore Point, County Wexford, Ireland by Focke-Wulf Fw 200 aircraft of I Staffeln, Kampfgeschwader 40, Luftwaffe with the loss of six crew.[25][116]
Denmark
The cargo ship (2,245 GRT, 1921) sank off Copenhagen.[142]
Royal Navy
The naval trawler (57 GRT, 1910) ran aground at Whitby, Yorkshire and was wrecked.[143]
World War II: The Redoutable-classsubmarine (1,547/2,049 t, 1936) was torpedoed and sunk by mistake in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Juby, Morocco (at 28°03′N12°54′W / 28.050°N 12.900°W / 28.050; -12.900) by U-37 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 65 of her 69 crew.[145][146]
World War II: The landing craft was bombed and sunk at Liverpool, Lancashire by Luftwaffe aircraft.[25]
Overdale
United Kingdom
World War II: The hopper barge (315 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Liverpool by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of three crew.[116][25]
21 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 21 December 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Anvers
Nazi Germany
World War II: The ship was towing a barge on a convoy from Granville to JerseyChannel Islands when it got into difficulties and ended up sinking on the Chausey islands.[149]
Panama
World War II: The tanker (8,982 GRT, 1916) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Sierra Leone (8°26′N16°50′W / 8.433°N 16.833°W / 8.433; -16.833) by U-68 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of two of her 42 crew. Survivors were rescued by and (both United Kingdom).[116][150][151]
World War II: The ferry (3,071 GRT, 1930) struck a mine off the Wirral Peninsula, Cheshire, United Kingdom and sank with the loss of four of the 220 people on board.
World War II: : The cargo ship (1,253 GRT, 1922) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km) west of Oporto, Portugal (40°45′N16°50′W / 40.750°N 16.833°W / 40.750; -16.833) by Mocenigo (Regia Marina) with the loss of eight crew. Survivors were rescued by (Sweden).[153]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship (6,511 or 6,534 GRT, 1907) was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of the Kerkennah Islands (34°39′N10°48′E / 34.650°N 10.800°E / 34.650; 10.800) by Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 815 and 819 squadrons, Fleet Air Arm based on HMS Illustrious (Royal Navy) with the loss of 3 lives.[116][92][154]
World War II: The sailing boat (70 GRT) was rammed and sunk in the Adriatic Sea off Brindisi by Papanikolis (Royal Hellenic Navy). All six crew survived.[116][25][92]
The H-classsubmarine foundered at Campbeltown, Argyllshire. She was raised on 25 December. Subsequently repaired and returned to service.[116]
HMS Hyperion
Royal Navy
World War II: The H-classdestroyer (1,350/1,883 t, 1936) struck a mine in the Mediterranean Sea off Pantelleria, east of Cape Bon in the Strait of Sicily and was damaged. She was taken in tow by HMS Ilex (Royal Navy), but later scuttled by HMS Janus (Royal Navy) (37°40′N11°31′E / 37.667°N 11.517°E / 37.667; 11.517). Two of her 146 crew were killed.[158]
MAC 7
Royal Navy
The mooring attendant craft sank at Portsmouth, Hampshire. Refloated, but declared a total loss in January 1941 following a fire.[116]
United Kingdom
World War II: The tug (179 GRT, 1923) struck a mine in the River Mersey at Liverpool, Lancashire and sank with the loss of all seven crew.[116][159]
Italy
World War II: The auxiliary schooner (364 GRT) was sunk in the Adriatic Sea by Papanikolis (Royal Hellenic Navy).[25]
World War II: The Rosolino Pilo-classdestroyer (770/912 t, 1915) struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Misrata, Libya with the loss of 71 crew. There were 43 survivors.[46][160]
World War II: The tanker (6,552 GRT, 1924) was torpedoed and damaged in the North Sea south east of Clacton-on-Sea, Essex (52°35′N2°03′E / 52.583°N 2.050°E / 52.583; 2.050) by (Kriegsmarine). She was taken in tow by , and (all United Kingdom) but sank.[116][162]
HMS Warwick
Royal Navy
World War II: The W-classdestroyer (1,100/1,457 t, 1918) struck a mine in Liverpool Bay off the (United Kingdom) and was severely damaged. She was beached off Liverpool, Lancashire. Subsequently repaired and returned to service in March 1942.[116]
World War II: : The tanker (5,872 GRT, 1922) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) south west of Freetown, Sierra Leone (6°20′N13°20′W / 6.333°N 13.333°W / 6.333; -13.333) by U-65 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 32 of her 45 crew. 9 survivors were rescued by HMS Hawkins (Royal Navy) on January 3, and 4 by HMS Faulknor (Royal Navy) on 3 February.
World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper (621 GRT, 1934) struck a mine and was damaged in the Atlantic Ocean south of Ireland. She sank the next day whilst under tow by HMS Goatfell (Royal Navy).[116][165]
Royal Navy
World War II: The minesweeping trawler (358 GRT, 1925) was torpedoed and sunk off Great Yarmouth by (Kriegsmarine).[166]
25 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 25 December 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Jumna
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (6,078 GRT, 1929) was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Cape Finisterre, Spain (44°51′N27°45′W / 44.850°N 27.750°W / 44.850; -27.750) by Admiral Hipper (Kriegsmarine). There were no survivors. All 64 crew and 44 passengers were killed.[167]
World War II: The motor (or minesweeper) attendant craft, a former BPB 60-foot-class motor torpedo boat, struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the coast of Essex with the loss of four crew.[116]
Regia Marina
World War II: The schooner (177 GRT) was captured in the Mediterranean Sea off Bardia, Italian Libya by HMAS Waterhen (Royal Australian Navy) and scuttled.
Royal Navy
World War II:The naval trawler (92 GRT, 1921) sank in the North Sea off Happisburgh, Norfolk as a result of a collision with (Royal Navy).[169][116]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (12,823 GRT, 1939) was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) west of Rockall, Inverness-shire by U-95 (Kriegsmarine) and was abandoned. She was torpedoed and sunk the next day by U-38 (Kriegsmarine). One of the 90 people on board was killed. Survivors were rescued by HMS Mashona (Royal Navy).[116][170][171]
27 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 27 December 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (4,936 GRT, 1912) struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary south west of Southend, Essex with the loss of six crew.[116][172][173]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (4,980 GRT, 1929) was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean by U-38 (Kriegsmarine). She was later torpedoed and sunk by Enrico Tazzoli (Regia Marina) with the loss of all 40 crew.[116][174]
Norway
World War II: The cargo ship (1,151 GRT, 1921) was bombed and sunk off Egersund, Rogaland by Royal Air Force aircraft. Later raised, repaired and returned to service.[175]
United Kingdom
World War II: The coaster (449 GRT, 1921) struck a mine in the Thames Estuary and sank north of Sheerness, Kent with the loss of six crew.[176]
World War II: The troopship (11,452 GRT, 1923) was torpedoed and sunk in the Adriatic Sea, east of Brindisi (40°31′N19°02′E / 40.517°N 19.033°E / 40.517; 19.033) by (Royal Hellenic Navy). There were 25 dead (20 crew, 4 survivors of Firenze and 1 Italian military sailor) and 237 survivors.[116][181][182][183][184]
30 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 30 December 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (824 GRT, 1917) ran aground on Islay and was wrecked. The whole crew was rescued.[185][186]
Royal Navy
World War II: The naval trawler (440 GRT, 1935) collided with HMS Waterhen (Royal Navy) off and sank. There were no casualty.[187][188]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (3,896 GRT, 1932) ran aground on Sandray Island, Outer Hebrides and was wrecked. All 54 crew were saved.[189][190][191]
World War II: The tanker (8,532 GRT, 1937) was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean (15°40′N20°43′W / 15.667°N 20.717°W / 15.667; -20.717) by U-65 (Kriegsmarine) and was abandoned by her 50 crew. The ship was still afloat the next day and the crew reboarded her. She was later towed to Freetown, Sierra Leone by (Royal Navy). British Zeal was repaired and returned to service in February 1942.[196]
Nazi Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (764 GRT, 1937) collided with another vessel off Brunsbüttel, Schleswig-Holstein and sank.[116]
Italy
World War II: The merchant ship (531 GRT) was shelled and sunk in the Adriatic Sea, off Antivari, Yugoslavia by Katsonis (Royal Hellenic Navy) with the loss of all ten hands.[183][197]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (390 GRT, 1913) collided with another vessel in the North Sea east of Rattray Head, Aberdeenshire and sank. The master was lost while all other crewmen were rescued.[198][199]
Sweden
World War II: : The cargo ship (3,759 GRT, 1917) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of the Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom (60°01′N23°00′W / 60.017°N 23.000°W / 60.017; -23.000) by U-38 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 35 people on board.[200]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Free French Naval Forces
World War II: The Requin-classsubmarine (1,132/1,418 t, 1926) struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Sfax, Tunisia with the loss of all 50 crew. The date of loss was probably between the 13th and 16th.[201]
Australia
The ketch ran aground on Cape Barren Island and was wrecked.[202]
World War II: The T-classsubmarine (1,330/1,585 t, 1938) was probably sunk in the Strait of Otranto, Italy by mines, possibly around the 18th but could have been as early as the 6th.
^ abMitchell, W.H.; Sawyer, L.A. (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. p. not cited. ISBN1-85044-275-4.