The tanker (8,263 GRT, 1936) struck a submerged object in the Atlantic Ocean 450 nautical miles (830 km) north west of the Azores, Portugal (39°00′N39°30′W / 39.000°N 39.500°W / 39.000; -39.500) and broke in two. The bow section sank. Seven crew and five gunners were lost. There were 28 survivors. The stern section was towed to Oran, Algeria in April 1940. Surviving wartime damage, it was sold to Norway in 1949, a new bow section was built and she returned to service as Sirefjell.[6][7][8]
2 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 2 February 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: : The tanker (7,048 GRT, 1922) struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea off Withernsea, Yorkshire (53°48′N2°25′E / 53.800°N 2.417°E / 53.800; 2.417). All 43 crew members were rescued by HMS Gallant, HMS Griffin and HMS Whitley (all United Kingdom Navy). The tug (United Kingdom) was despatched to tow British Councillor into port, but the tanker sank the next day.[1][9][10][11]
World War II: The cargo ship (1,064 GRT, 1918) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (52°40′N2°13′E / 52.667°N 2.217°E / 52.667; 2.217) by U-59 (Germany Navy) with the loss of two of her 11 crew. The survivors were rescued by (Finland).[1][14][15][16]
Spain
The coaster (903 GRT, 1883) ran aground at Azemmour, Morocco and was wrecked.[17]
The coaster (556 GRT, 1922) collided in the North Sea off Haugesund, Rogaland with (Finland) and sank. All aboard (16 crew and a passenger) were rescued by the Wipunen.[24][25][circular reference]
Estonia
World War II: The coaster (815 GRT, 1904) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea east of the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom by U-58 (Germany Navy) with the loss of all 18 crew.[26][27][28]
World War II: The Halcyon-classminesweeper (815/1,350 t, 1939) was bombed and damaged in the North Sea off Kinnaird Head, Aberdeenshire by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe with the loss of 55 crew. She was taken in tow by (United Kingdom Navy) but the tow parted. HMS Speedwell and (United Kingdom Navy) then attempted to take HMS Sphinx in tow but were unsuccessful. The survivors were rescued by HMS Boreas (United Kingdom Navy). HMS Sphinx capsized the next day and drifted ashore. She was declared a total loss.[1][29]
Norway
World War II: The cargo ship (629 GRT, 1903) was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off St Abb's Head, Berwickshire, United Kingdom 55°59′N1°35′W / 55.983°N 1.583°W / 55.983; -1.583 by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe. All 15 crew left the ship safely in two lifeboats. The nine men in the first were rescued by motor life-boat Frank and William Oates, but the other capsized in the breakers while trying to reach land at Berwick upon Tweed, with the loss of five of the six men aboard.[1][23][30][31][32]
4 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 4 February 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Belgium
The cargo ship ran aground on the east coast of the United Kingdom. All 11 crew were rescued by the motor life-boat Augustus and Laura. The ships was raised and resumed service, being lost in 1941.[23][33][34]
Netherlands
The coaster (343 GRT, 1938) ran aground near Kentish Knock Lightvessel in the Thames Estuary and was wrecked. All seven crew were rescued, one of them after drifting three days.[23][35][36]
World War II: : The cargo ship (9,874 GRT, 1927) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Cornwall (49°20′N10°07′W / 49.333°N 10.117°W / 49.333; -10.117) by U-41 (Germany Navy) with the loss of one of her 77 crew. The survivors were rescued by (United States).[1][42][43][44]
Denmark
The schooner (331 GRT, 1920) was sunk in the North Sea off Methil, Fife, United Kingdom by an accidental engine explosion. Two crew were killed, seven survived.[45][46]
World War II: The cargo ship (1,421 GRT, 1883) struck a mine off the mouth of the Tay, Scotland and sank killing the master, his wife and 5 crewmembers of the 19 people on board.[1][28][48][49][50]
Spain
The cargo ship (3,037 GRT, 1919) ran aground at the mouth of the Guadalquivir near Bonanza, Spain and was wrecked. The whole crew was saved.[51][52]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (3,847 GRT, 1927) ran aground at Melby, Shetland Islands and was wrecked. All 35 crew survived.[23][53]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (3,275 GRT, 1907) ran aground at Fast Castle Point, Berwickshire and was wrecked. All aboard (31 crew and the wife of one of them) were rescued by the motor life-boat Annie Ronald and Isabella Forrest.[23][54]
Winter War: The coaster (709 GRT) was bombed on the 5th at anchor at Berghamn, Åland by Soviet aircraft and was damaged by near misses. Damage seemed minor and she sailed during the nigh to Gärso where the crew went ashore. In the morning she suddently tilted on the starboard side and sank 20 minutes later. There were no casualties.[56][57][58][59]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (4,254 GRT, 1929) ran aground at Boddam, Aberdeenshire and was wrecked. All 33 crew were rescued by coastguard life-saving apparatus.[23][60][61]
7 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 7 February 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The ship (5,184 GRT 1928) ran aground and was wrecked near Port Eynon, Glamorgan. Her 37 crew were rescued by the Mumbles Lifeboat.[23][62]
World War II: The trawler (293 GRT, 1908) struck a mine and sank in the Irish Sea while sailing from Holyhead to Workington. Six crew were killed.[1][69]
United Kingdom
World War II: The refrigerated cargo ship (5,406 GRT, 1928) struck a mine and sank in the Irish Sea off Liverpool, Lancashire with the loss of two of her 64 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom Navy).[70][71][72]
World War II: The naval trawler (351 GRT, 1931) was bombed and sunk in the North Sea north east of Aberdeen by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe with the loss of six crew. The survivors were rescued by and (both United Kingdom Navy).[1][29]
United Kingdom Navy
World War II: The Castle-classnaval trawler (290 GRT, 1918) was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) north east of Aberdeen by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe with the loss of all 16 crew.[1][29][75][76]
10 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 10 February 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (214 GRT, 1890) sank in the North Sea off Montrose, Angus, United Kingdom. At the time she was being towed to Scapa Flow to be used as a blockship by the tug Prizeman, and the mate of the tug was lost attempting to free the tow.[1][77]
The fishing boat struck rocks off Île d'Yeu, Vendée and was wrecked. All five crew members were lost.[74]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (2,327 GRT, 1930) foundered in a storm in the Atlantic Ocean north west of the Azores, Portugal. The 25 crew members were rescued in difficult conditions by and (both Norway).[81][82][83]
World War II: The trawler (224 GRT, 1915) was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 115 nautical miles (213 km) east by north of Aberdeen by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe. All ten crew were rescued by and (both United Kingdom Navy).[1][87][88]
11 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 11 February 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Greece
The cargo ship (1,186 GRT, 1899) ran aground near Kyparissia, Greece. She was raised in April but was declared a total wreck.[89]
Erna
Australia
The launch burned after an engine explosion off Shark Island in Sydney Harbour, Australia. All six occupants were rescued.[90][91]
The stern section of Imperial Transport beached in Kilchattan Bay.
World War II: The tanker (8,022 GRT, 1931) was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean north west of the Outer Hebrides (approximately 59°N12°W / 59°N 12°W / 59; -12) by U-53 (Germany Navy). Two crew were killed. Imperial Transport broke in two. The bow section sank. The stern section was taken in tow by the tugs and (both United Kingdom) and beached at Kilchattan Bay, Bute on 26 February. A new bow section was constructed and the ship was repaired and re-entered service in 1941.[1][92][93]
World War II: The cargo ship (1,213 GRT, 1899) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 100 nautical miles (190 km) west of Utsira, Norway (58°15′N1°54′E / 58.250°N 1.900°E / 58.250; 1.900) by U-9 (Germany Navy) with the loss of one of her 15 crew. The survivors were rescued by (Sweden).[1][94][95][96]
Sweden
World War II: The cargo ship (1,854 GRT, 1919) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) north east of the Shetland Islands United Kingdom by U-50 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 14 of the 24 people aboard. The survivors were rescued by HMS Fearless (United Kingdom Navy).[1][97][98][99]
Norway
World War II: The cargo ship (4,114 GRT, 1926) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Hebrides, United Kingdom 58°40′N13°40′W / 58.667°N 13.667°W / 58.667; -13.667) by U-53 (Germany Navy). All 36 crew survived and were rescued by (Norway) but two died when that ship was damaged by a torpedo from U-50 two days later.[1][100][101][102]
World War II: The cargo ship (3,927 GRT, 1911) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Ireland (56°44′N11°44′W / 56.733°N 11.733°W / 56.733; -11.733) by U-53 (Germany Navy) with the loss of one of her 30 crew. The survivors were rescued by the trawler Jan de Waele (Belgium).[1][106][107][108]
United States
The four-master schooner (1,603 GRT) disappeared in the Atlantic with all 10 hands while carrying coal from Hampton Roads to the Canary Islands.[90][109][110]
World War II: The cargo ship (3,482 GRT, 1919) was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (50°50′N14°10′W / 50.833°N 14.167°W / 50.833; -14.167) by U-26 (Germany Navy) The ship was split in two, with the bow section sinking that day and the stern section sometime afterwards. All 25 crew were rescued by (Norway).[1][114][115]
Ons Heer Bewaar Ons
Belgium
he trawler (62 GRT) sank in the North Sea after hitting an unknown object. Her crew was saved by another trawler.[1][116][117]
World War II: The Type VIIAsubmarine (616/733 t, 1936) was depth charged and sunk in the Firth of Clyde by HMS Gleaner (United Kingdom Navy) with the loss of 25 of her 42 crew.[118]
World War II: : The tanker (8,501 GRT, 1936) struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea off Cromer, Norfolk (53°06′N1°25′E / 53.100°N 1.417°E / 53.100; 1.417) with the loss of four of her 47 crew. The survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom) and HMS Stork (United Kingdom Navy). British Officer attempted to tow British Triumph. The tug (United Kingdom) was sent out, but British Triumph sank before she arrived.[1][106][121]
World War II: The cargo ship (3,771 GRT, 1921) was intercepted by HMS Dorsetshire (United Kingdom Navy) in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Frio, Brazil (22°42′S41°38′W / 22.700°S 41.633°W / -22.700; -41.633) and was scuttled by her crew. The whole crew (10 officers and 36 sailors) was rescued by the Dorsetshire.[127][128]
14 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 14 February 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Alize
France
The fishing sloop (8 GRT, 1922) sank off Brest, France after a collision with the Archimède (France Navy). All 5 crew were killed.[90][129]
The cargo ship (633 GRT, 1915) ran aground at , Isle of Man and was wrecked. All ten crew members were saved by the motor life-boat Lady Harrison.[23][133][134]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The tanker (10,191 GRT, 1928) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and set on fire in the North Sea south east of Noss Head, Shetland Islands (58°27′N2°33′W / 58.450°N 2.550°W / 58.450; -2.550) by U-57 (Germany Navy) with the loss of ten crew members and one gunner. The 30 survivors were rescued by and (both United Kingdom Navy). The burning wreck came ashore at Dunbeath, Caithness on 15 February and broke in two four days later. She was declared a total loss.[1][135][136]
World War II: The cargo ship (1,064 GRT, 1916) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea east of Caithness, United Kingdom, by U-14 (Germany Navy) with the loss of nine of her 20 crew. The survivors were rescued by HMS Kipling (United Kingdom Navy) and the trawler Standard (Sweden).[46][144][153][154][155]
World War II: The cargo ship (2,477 GRT, 1912) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km)west of County Clare, Ireland by U-26 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 13 of her 24 crew.[144][158][159][160]
USS Wicomico
United States Navy
The tug (150 t, 1892) collided with USS Goff (United States Navy) in Hampton Roads and sank. The damaged destroyer rescued her 11 crew members. The wreck was later raised and scrapped.[161]
World War II: Altmark Incident: The tanker (10,688 GRT / 20,529 t, 1939) ran aground in Jøssingfjord, Norway trying to evade HMS Cossack (United Kingdom Navy). British sailors boarded the ship and liberated the 299 British merchant sailors held aboard after a fight during which 7 German sailors were killed and 11 wounded. Later refloated, she was repaired and returned to service as Uckermark (Germany Navy).[162][163]
Germany
World War II: Altmark Incident: The cargo ship (5,805 GRT, 1929) was intercepted west of Jøssingfjord, Norway by HMS Ivanhoe (United Kingdom Navy) and was scuttled by her crew.[164]
Sweden
World War II: The cargo ship (1,646 GRT, 1898) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of Kinnaird Head, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom by U-14 (Germany Navy) with the loss of ten of her 20 crew. The survivors were rescued by the trawler Loch Hope (United Kingdom) and cargo ship (Sweden.[137][144][165][166]
Sweden
World War II: The cargo ship (1,526 GRT, 1903) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of Kinnaird Head, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom by U-14 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 13 of her 20 crew. The survivors were rescued by the trawler Loch Hope (United Kingdom).[137][144][167][168]
17 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 17 February 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Netherlands
World War II: The cargo ship (6,944 GRT, 1919) ran aground on Ilhéu de Cima, Cape Verde Islands and was wrecked. The whole crew was rescued by a Portuguese warship.[169]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (3,656 GRT, 1932) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea north of Inverness-shire (53°17′N1°12′E / 53.283°N 1.200°E / 53.283; 1.200) with the loss of two of her 36 crew. The survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom Navy).[1][170][171]
The cargo ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Finisterre. (Look 17/01/1945)[179]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo liner (7,418 GRT, 1914) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Finisterre (44°02′N10°18′W / 44.033°N 10.300°W / 44.033; -10.300) by U-37 (Germany Navy) with the loss of eight of her 86 crew. The ship broke in two, with the stern section sinking. The bow section sank two days later. The survivors were rescued by and (both United Kingdom).[144][180][181]
Finland
World War II: The cargo ship (3,396 GRT, 1914) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom (49°00′N6°33′W / 49.000°N 6.550°W / 49.000; -6.550) by U-48 (Germany Navy). All 27 crew were rescued by Maasdam (Netherlands) and HMS Vanessa (United Kingdom Navy).[144][182][183]
World War II: The cargo ship (2,140 GRT, 1899) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) north west of Cape Villano by U-53 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 22 of her 29 crew. The survivors were rescued by the fishing vessel Tritonia (Spain).[144][186][187][188]
Finland
Winter War: The cargo ship (1,133 GRT) was bombed and sunk off Mäntyluoto, Finland by Soviet aircraft.[189]
Finland
Winter War: The cargo ship (1,659 GRT) was bombed and sunk off Mäntyluoto, Finland by Soviet aircraft.[189]
World War II: The cargo ship (4,917 GRT, 1938) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) north west of Cape Finisterre, Spain by U-37 (Germany Navy). All crew were rescued by the fishing boat Manin (Spain) and landed at .[144][186][191][192]
Panama
World War II: The cargo ship (1,406 GRT, 1897) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea east of the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom by U-61 (Germany Navy) with the loss of all 17 crew.[144][193]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (8,122 or 8,216 GRT, 1904) was scuttled as a blockship in Skerry Sound, Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands.[194][195]
Winter War: The cargo ship (1,477 GRT, 1937) was bombed and sunk off Mäntyluoto, Finland by Soviet aircraft.[189]
Norway
World War II: The cargo ship (4,297 GRT, 1925) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea east of Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (59°03′N1°08′E / 59.050°N 1.133°E / 59.050; 1.133) by U-61 (Germany Navy) with the loss of one of her 29 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Brazen and HMS Diana (both United Kingdom Navy).[198][199][200]
19 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 19 February 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: The Admiralty-requisitioned cargo ship (367 GRT, 1906) was scuttled in Kirk Sound, Scapa Flow as a block ship. Broke up in a gale in the winter of 1940–1941 and scrapped.[195][201][202]
United Kingdom
The cargo motor vessel (21 GRT) sank after a collision with the iron paddle steamer (United Kingdom) in the Solent. Her three crew were rescued.[203]
The coaster (294 GRT, 1888) disappeared in a storm in the between Creta and Piraeus with all 13 hands.[208]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (4,996 GRT, 1934) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and damaged in the North Sea east of the Orkney Islands (58°50′N2°28′W / 58.833°N 2.467°W / 58.833; -2.467) by U-57 (Germany Navy). She was taken in tow but was torpedoed and sunk the next day by U-23 (Germany Navy) and broke in two. Four of her crew were killed. Thirty-three survivors were rescued by HMS Diana (United Kingdom Navy). The bow section sank, whilst the stern section was beached in , Orkney Islands for the salvage of her cargo of aircraft, timber and wheat. She was declared a total loss.[144][209][210]
YM 49 Petten
Netherlands
World War II: The trawler (250 GRT, 1900) was damaged by an explosion, possibly due to a British mine, in the North Sea and sank under tow before reaching a coast. All twelve crew were rescued by the fishing vessel Vikingbank (Netherlands).[144][22][211][212][213]
Netherlands
World War II: The cargo ship (4,760 GRT, 1929) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Cape Finisterre, Spain (42°45′N10°25′W / 42.750°N 10.417°W / 42.750; -10.417) by U-50 (Germany Navy). All 35 crew were rescued by Le Fantasque (Marine Nationale) and the trawler Milin (Spain).[144][22][214][215]
22 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 22 February 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: : The tanker (4,580 GRT, 1927) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Cape Finisterre, Spain (42°11′N11°35′W / 42.183°N 11.583°W / 42.183; -11.583) by U-50 (Germany Navy) with the loss of five of her 38 crew. The survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom).[144][216][217]
Z1 Leberecht Maass
Germany Navy
World War II: Operation Wikinger: The Type 1934-classdestroyer (2,223/3,156 t, 1937) was bombed and damaged by a Heinkel He 111 aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe. She strayed into a minefield in the Dogger Bank, struck a mine and sank with the loss of 282 of her 342 crew. The survivors were rescued by Z13 Erich Koellner, Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt and Z4 Richard Beitzen (all Germany Navy).[144]
Z3 Max Schultz
Germany Navy
World War II: Operation Wikinger: The Type 1934-classdestroyer (2,223/3,156 t, 1937) struck a mine in the Dogger Bank whilst attempting to rescue survivors from Leberecht Maass and sank with the loss of all 308 crew.
23 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 23 February 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom Navy
World War II: The naval trawler (352 GRT, 1930) struck a mine and sank off the mouth of the Humber with the loss of ten of her 15 crew.[145][218][219]
O.67 Steur
Belgium
World War II: The trawler (61 GRT) struck a mine in the North Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) north west of the and sank with all four hands.[1][220][221]
Norway
The cargo ship (308 GRT, 1918) ran aground at Skudenes, Rogaland and was wrecked. There were no casualty.[222]
World War II: The fishing boat (40 GRT, 1939) was rammed and sunk off the Dogger Bank, North Sea by M-1 (Germany Navy). The German ship deliberately avoided rescuing survivors. All four crewmen died.[189][227][228]
Gerlis
Denmark
World War II: The fishing boat (32 GRT, 1938) was rammed and sunk off the Dogger Bank, North Sea by M-1 (Germany Navy). The German ship deliberately avoided rescuing survivors. All four crewmen died.[189][227][228]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (5,316 GRT, 1919) ran aground near Chittagong, India and was wrecked.[90][229]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (4,544 GRT, 1925) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Cromer, Norfolk. All crew were rescued by Dunoon (United Kingdom Navy).[1][145][230][231]
Merkator
Denmark
World War II: The fishing boat (35 GRT, 1935) was rammed and sunk off the Dogger Bank, North Sea by M-1 (Germany Navy). The German ship deliberately avoided rescuing survivors. All four crewmen died.[189][227][228]
Polaris
Denmark
World War II: The fishing boat (39 GRT, 1937) was rammed and sunk off the Dogger Bank, North Sea by M-1 (Germany Navy). The German ship deliberately avoided rescuing survivors. All four crewmen died.[189][227][228]
World War II: : The cargo ship (3,840 GRT, 1925) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom, (59°17′N0°42′W / 59.283°N 0.700°W / 59.283; -0.700) by U-63 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 31 of the 43 people on board, which included survivors from (Sweden), nine of them being killed. The survivors were rescued by HMS Gallant (United Kingdom Navy) and landed at Invergordon, Ross and Cromarty.[144][234][235]
25 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 25 February 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (6,574 GRT, 1922) was last seen in the Atlantic Ocean 800 nautical miles (1,500 km) west of Ouessant, France. No further trace, presumed foundered with the loss of all 41 crew.[144][236][237]
World War II: The Type IICsubmarine (286/336 t, 1940) was depth charged, torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea south of the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom (58°35′N1°05′W / 58.583°N 1.083°W / 58.583; -1.083) by HMS Escort, HMS Inglefield, and HMS Imogen (all United Kingdom Navy) with the loss of one of her 25 crew. The survivors were rescued by HMS Inglefield and HMS Imogen.[144][238]
26 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 26 February 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (1,245 GRT, 1924) collided with some flotsam in the North Sea and sank. All 19 crew were rescued.[225][239]
Netherlands
The coaster (208 GRT, 1931) sank in the Irish Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) south south west of the Smalls Lighthouse, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom. There were no casualties.[240][241]
World War II: The trawler (156 GRT, 1900) disappeared in a terrific explosion off the coast of Fife with the loss of all nine crew. She was sunk either by a mine or Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe.[144][247][248][249]
Estonia
The coaster (770 GRT, 1870) sprang a leak and sank in the North Sea east of the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom. All 16 crew were rescued by the trawler Avonside (United Kingdom).[28][250]
France
World War II: : The collier (5,391 GRT, 1922) struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea (53°19′N1°12′E / 53.317°N 1.200°E / 53.317; 1.200). She was taken in tow by HMS Flamingo (United Kingdom Navy) but struck another mine and sank with the loss of four of the 43 crew. The survivors were rescued by HMS Wallace (United Kingdom Navy).[1][247][251][252]
Sweden
The cargo ship (545 GRT, 1918) collided with HMS Jackal (United Kingdom Navy) in the North Sea 12.8 nautical miles (23.7 km) off the Longstone Lighthouse, Northumberland, United Kingdom and sank. All 14 crew were rescued by HMS Jackal.[144][253][254]
28 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 28 February 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Ulster Queen
United Kingdom
The passenger ship (3,756 GRT, 1930) ran aground off Ramsey, Isle of Man. All on board, including 88 passengers, were rescued. She was abandoned but was refloated on 27 March, repaired and resumed service.[23][255][256][257][258]
World War II: The Type VIIB submarine (741/843 t, 1939) departed from Wilhelmshaven, Lower Saxony on her first patrol. No further trace. Presumed to have struck a mine in the Skagerrak (55°07′N5°05′E / 55.117°N 5.083°E / 55.117; 5.083) on or about 13 February with the loss of all 41 crew.[1][263]