World War II: The cargo ship (2,180 GRT, 1924) struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea off Happisburgh, Norfolk. She was taken in tow by a Royal Navy ship but later sank. All crew were rescued.[1]
World War II: The cargo ship (3,275 GRT, 1919) on her trip from Honolulu to Wellington with a cargo of military supplies was bombed and damaged in the Pacific Ocean (26°21′S151°24′W / 26.350°S 151.400°W / -26.350; -151.400) by an aircraft from Aikoku Maru (Imperial Japanese Navy). Her crew then scuttled the ship. All hands were rescued by Aikoku Maru and Hōkoku Maru (Imperial Japanese Navy).[4]
United Kingdom
World War II: The coaster (187 GRT, 1904) struck a mine and sank in Liverpool Bay with the loss of four lives.[1][5]
Tashkent
Soviet Union
World War II: The cargo ship (5,552 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Feodosia by Luftwaffe aircraft. 17 crewmen were killed.[6][7]
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship (1,566 GRT, 1920) entered a Japanese minefield 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of Santo Tomas, Luzon (16°11′N120°18′E / 16.183°N 120.300°E / 16.183; 120.300) and was sunk by a mine. 127 passengers, her commanding officer and 6 crewmen were killed.[8]
Imperial Japanese Navy
World War II: The fleet oiler (5,125 GRT, 1918) struck a mine southwest of Hong Kong, losing her bow, and was beached. Refloated, repaired and returned to service.[9]
2 January[]
For the scuttling of the Swedish cargo ship Shantung on this day, see the entry for 25 December 1941.
List of shipwrecks: 2 January 1942
Ship
Country
Description
United States
World War II: The coaster (837 GRT) was bombed and sunk, or scuttled, at Manila, Philippines by Japanese aircraft. Later salvaged by the Japanese and put in service as Anan Maru.[10]
Philippines
World War II: The cargo ship (2,832 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Manila, Philippines by Japanese aircraft.[10]
United States Navy
World War II: The launch was bombed and sunk by Japanese aircraft at Cavite Naval Base, Philippines .[11]
Royal Navy
The tugboat foundered in the Mediterranean Sea between Alexandria and Tobruk.[12]
United States
World War II: The cargo ship (10,893 GRT) was bombed and damaged in the Pacific Ocean by Japanese aircraft and was beached. She was captured by the Japanese, renamed and taken to Hong Kong, where she was damaged by Allied bombing and consequently scrapped, or lost in 1945.[1][13]
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Type A MFP landing craft (155/220 t, 1941) was thrown by wind against the wreck of Wasserfloh at Ras el Aali, Libya, wounding one crew, and then was sunk by a near-miss in a bombing attack in the evening.[14]
World War II: The yard tug (107 GRT, 1898) was bombed and sunk at Cavite Naval Base, Philippines in a Japanese air raid.[15]
Lanau
Philippines
World War II: The Philippine hospital ship (3,168 GRT, 1896) was bombed and sunk by Japanese aircraft off Cebu, Philippines.[13][16]
United States
World War II: The cargo ship (1,679 GRT, 1905) was bombed and sunk, or scuttled, at Manilla. Raised, repaired, and put in Japanese service as Ruson Maru.[10]
World War II: The yard tug was destroyed to prevent capture at Cavite Naval Base, Philippines.[17]
United States Navy
World War II: The YFB-861-class yard ferry was scuttled at the Cavite Navy Yard to prevent capture.[13][18]
Ruth Alexander
Panama
World War II: The derelict cargo ship (8,226 or 8,135 GRT, 1913) sank from damage suffered on 31 December 1941, when she had been bombed by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft off Balikpapan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies, and abandoned by her crew.[19][20][21]
Soviet Navy
The guard ship (1,200 t, 1933) was wrecked at in a storm.[22]
United States Navy
World War II: The YFB-861-class yard ferry was scuttled at the Cavite Navy Yard to prevent capture.[13][23]
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy PQ 7A: The cargo ship (5,135 GRT, 1924) became stranded in ice. She was damaged by Luftwaffe bombing and then torpedoed and sunk by U-134 (Kriegsmarine) 20 nautical miles (37 km) south of Bear Island, Norway (74°09′N19°10′E / 74.150°N 19.167°E / 74.150; 19.167) with the loss of all 47 crew.[1][19][24]
USS Yacal
United States Navy
World War II: The yard ferry (65 t, 1932) was scuttled at the Cavite Navy Yard to prevent capture.[13][25]
3 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 3 January 1942
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (1,848 GRT, 1939) struck a mine and was damaged in the Thames Estuary. She was taken in tow but later sank. One crewman died later of wounds. The rest of the crew survived.[1]
Netherlands
World War II: The cargo ship (7,395 GRT) was torpedoed and sunk in the Java Sea north of Bawean, Dutch East Indies by I-58 (Imperial Japanese Navy). The crew took to the lifeboats, one of which was rammed by I-58. Other survivors were machine-gunned. Only three of her 94 crew survived. They were rescued from Bawean by USS Paul Jones (United States Navy).[1]
Imperial Japanese Navy
World War II: The troop transport (4,383 or 4,283 GRT) was sunk when her cargo of gasoline caught fire off Hainan. All crewmembers rescued by Kashii (Imperial Japanese Navy).[26]
Imperial Japanese Navy
World War II: The tanker (318 GRT, 1936) was sunk by a mine south west of Hong Kong.[27]
World War II: The Admiral Nakhimov-classcruiser (7,440/8,890 t, 1932) was bombed and severely damaged off the Kerch Peninsula by Junkers Ju 87 aircraft of Sturzkampfgeschwader 77, Luftwaffe. Repairs took until October to complete.[29]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (2,626 GRT, 1921) was shelled and sunk in the Java Sea south of Java by I-156 (Imperial Japanese Navy), which machine gunned and rammed the lifeboats. There were 35 survivors of the 136 people aboard.[30][31]
Soviet Navy
World War II: The MO-4-classpatrol vessel (50/56 t, 1941) was sunk by German aircraf at Feodosia.[32][33]
World War II: The troopship (5,413 GRT, 1930) was torpedoed and sunk in the Adriatic Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) west of , Albania by HMS Proteus (Royal Navy). There were between 400 and 600 dead and 291 survivors.[1][36]
Denmark
World War II: The cargo ship (1,892 GRT, 1925) was bombed and sunk at Hook of Holland, South Holland, Netherlands during a British air raid. Her crew survived.[3][37]
Soviet Union
World War II: The cargo ship (2,150 GRT) was sunk at Feodosia by Luftwaffe aircraft. There were no casualties.[3][6][38]
Soviet Navy
World War II: The G-5-class motor torpedo boat (15 t, 1934) was sunk by German fighters off Eupatoria. At least six crew were killed. There were no survivors.[39][40][41]
Soviet Navy
World War II: The Project 53-class minesweeper (410/503 t, 1938) was damaged by German aircraft and later ran aground at Eupatoria. She was destroyed next day by German field artillery. Five crew were killed, 19 captured (two died of wounds) and one escaped.[42]
6 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 6 January 1942
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (3,657 GRT, 1930), straggling behind the convoy, was torpoedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (57°27′N32°36′W / 57.450°N 32.600°W / 57.450; -32.600) by U-701 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 41 crew. (A report from the attacking U-boat stated there were 34 survivors, but none were seen again.)[1][43]
Soviet Navy
The MO-4-classpatrol vessel (50/56 t, 1941) was sunk on this date.[32]
The cargo liner (1,708 GRT, 1913) issued a mayday in the Mediterranean Sea off the Balearic Islands, Spain during a storm. No further trace as found of her and her 20 crew.[44][45][46]
Soviet Navy
The G-5-class motor torpedo boat (15 t, 1935) was lost on this date.[39]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship (5,741 GRT, 1926) was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) south of Pantelleria by Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 830 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm. There were no casualty and 78 survivors.[1][36]
Japan
World War II: The auxiliary collier (2,225 GRT, 1932) was torpedoed and heavily damaged in the Pacific Ocean off Miko, Japan (34°27′N138°59′E / 34.450°N 138.983°E / 34.450; 138.983) by USS Pollack (United States Navy). One crewman was killed, 53 were rescued. The drifting wreck was sunk by a Japanese aircraft four days later.[3][47][48]
World War II The United States Army mine planter sprang a leak in a storm and sank 20 miles south east of the Isles of Shoals. Ten crewmen killed. Her commanding officer was rescued by (United States Army).[49][50]
Tornator
Finland
The cargo ship (4,964 GRT, 1912) was wrecked at Omaezaki, Japan.
World War II: The cargo ship (1,103 GRT) was torpedoed and sunk in the Java Sea (4°50′S112°20′E / 4.833°S 112.333°E / -4.833; 112.333) by I-65 (Imperial Japanese Navy). Three crew were killed. USS Paul Jones (United States Navy) rescued the survivors.[1][3][52]
World War II: The ocean liner (4,713 GRT, 1920) foundered during a violent storm in the Mediterranean Sea north of Menorca, Spain with the loss of 292 of the 394 people aboard, while trying to help locate Jumièges.[3][44][45]
Soviet Navy
World War II: The transport ship (956 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Feodosia by Luftwaffe aircraft.[3]
Denmark
The cargo ship (1,489 GRT, 1929) was rammed and sunk in the Øresund. Her crew survived.[53]
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship (5,387 GRT, 1928) was shelled and sunk in the Pacific Ocean by USS Pollack (United States Navy). She was the former Yugoslav Tomislav, seized by the Italian in October 1941 and renamed Venezia Giulia, before being again renamed on 1 December 1941 when taken under Japanese control. The crew was still Italian and eight or nine Italian were killed in the sinking, and possibly one Japanese.[47][36][54]
HMS Vimiera
Royal Navy
World War II: : The V-classdestroyer (1,090/1,480 t, 1918) struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary with the loss of 96 of her 110 crew.
World War II: The cargo ship (1,976 GRT, 1916) struck a mine laid by I-124 (Imperial Japanese Navy) and sank in Manila Bay off Corregidor Island. She was raised by the Japanese in 1943 and renamed Gyoshin Maru.[1][58][59]
Germany
The cargo ship (4,613 GRT, 1913) ran aground near Tromsø, Norway and sank the next day. The whole crew was rescued.[1][60][61]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship (5,016 GRT, 1910) was torpedoed and sunk in the Adriatic Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) south east of , Albania by HMS Thrasher (Royal Navy). All 36 crew were saved.[1][36]
World War II: The auxiliary gunboat (2,929 GRT, 1938) was torpedoed and sunk in the South China Sea by USS Pickerel (United States Navy).[64][65]
Soviet Navy
The Leninets-classsubmarine ran aground in the Black Sea off . She was on a voyage from Novorossiysk to Poti. She was refloated the next day and towed in to Poti. Repairs took a year to complete.[66]
The armed merchant cruiser ran aground at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and was severely damaged. She was refloated the next day, repaired and returned to service.[1]
Koninklijke Marine
World War II: The patrol boat, the former Japanese fishing boat Borneo Maru captured in December 1941, was sunk by a Japanese flying boat off TarakanNetherlands East Indies. There were 10 dead and 45 survivors.[70][71]
11 January[]
For sinking of the American tanker Manatawny on this date, see the entry for 12 December 1941.
List of shipwrecks: 11 January 1942
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (7,377 GRT, 1922) ran aground at Alexandria, Egypt and broke her back, a total loss.[1]
United States Army
World War II: The cargo ship suffered an engine room fire at the Army pier at Yakutat, Alaska, was towed to sea where she sunk about one mile (1.6 km) offshore without casualties. (See entry at 12 December 1942)[72]
USAT Liberty
United States Army
World War II: The cargo ship (6,211 GRT, 13,130 t, 1918) was torpedoed and damaged in the Lombok Strait (8°54′S115°28′E / 8.900°S 115.467°E / -8.900; 115.467) by I-166 (Imperial Japanese Navy). She was taken in tow by USS Paul Jones (United States Navy) and HNLMS Van Ghent (Royal Netherlands Navy) and beached at Tulamben, Dutch East Indies. There were no casualties. She remained there for 21 years but sank in 1963 following the eruption of Mount Agung.[1][73]
HNLMS Prins van Oranje
Royal Netherlands Navy
World War II: The Prins van Oranje-classminelayer (1,291/1,600 t, 1932) was shelled and sunk by Yamakaze and (both Imperial Japanese Navy) off TarakanNetherlands East Indies. Only 16 of the 118 crew were rescued.[74][75]
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The minesweeper (125/135 t, 1940) struck a submerged wreck and sank in the English Channel off Ambleteuse, Pas-de-Calais, France.[3]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (2,515 GRT, 1935) was bombed and sunk in the Muar River, Malaya by Japanese aircraft. One crew was killed. She was later salvaged and entered Japanese service as Unryu Maru.[1][76]
12 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 12 January 1942
Ship
Country
Description
United States Army
An engine room fire broke out aboard the 7,314-ton United States Army Transport in the harbor at Yakutat, Territory of Alaska. The steamerTaku (United States) towed her out of the harbor and beached her across the bay. She floated free of the beach at high tide and drifted for five hours until explosions in her cargo of ammunition sank her. There was no loss of life.[77]
World War II: Operation Paukenschlag: The cargo ship (9,076 GRT, 1906) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (41°51′N63°48′W / 41.850°N 63.800°W / 41.850; -63.800) by U-123 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 87 of the 182 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by HMCS Red Deer (Royal Canadian Navy).[1][78]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (6,742 GRT, 1941) ran aground at Stroma, Pentland Firth (58°41′N3°06′W / 58.683°N 3.100°W / 58.683; -3.100). The crew of 52 were rescued by Stroma LSA breeches-buoy. The steamer was driven further ashore and rapidly became a total loss.[79][80]
Norway
World War II: The cargo ship (1,582 GRT, 1939) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Canso, Nova Scotia, Canada (44°50′N60°20′W / 44.833°N 60.333°W / 44.833; -60.333) by U-130 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 13 of her 19 crew. Survivors were rescued by (Faroe Islands).[81][1][82]
World War II: The coaster (984 GRT) was bombed and sunk at , Dutch East Indies by Japanese aircraft. In 1944 she was salvaged, repaired and entered Japanese service as Aki Maru.[1]
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine (757/857 t, 1941) was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Cape Spartivento, Calabria, Italy (37°50′N16°00′E / 37.833°N 16.000°E / 37.833; 16.000) by HMS Unbeaten (Royal Navy) with the loss of 42 of her 43 crew.[83]
and
Imperial Japanese Navy
World War II: The W-13-classminesweepers (both 525/691 t, 1933) were sunk by Dutch 4.7-inch shore batteries off Tarakan. From the two crews there were 157 dead and 53 survivors. In reprisal, the Japanese executed 215 men of the gun crews on 18 January.[84][85][86][circular reference]
Sweden
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,246 GRT, 1921) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 57°N26°W / 57°N 26°W / 57; -26) by U-43 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 38 of her 40 crew. The survivors were rescued by a British trawler.[1][87]
13 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 13 January 1942
Ship
Country
Description
SS Brazos
United States
The cargo ship (4,497 GRT), built as El Rio 1899 with World War I service as the mine layer USS Housatonic, collided with HMS Archer (Royal Navy) off Charleston, South Carolina, United States. She sank the next day as a result of damage sustained. All 35 crew were rescued by Archer.[88][89][90][91]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (7,023 GRT, 1941) was bombed and damaged in the North Sea (54°22′N0°19′W / 54.367°N 0.317°W / 54.367; -0.317) by Luftwaffe aircraft and was beached at Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. One gunner was killed.She was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.[1][79][92]
Panama
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,427 GRT, 1921) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) south east of Cape Race, Newfoundland (45°30′N50°40′W / 45.500°N 50.667°W / 45.500; -50.667) by U-130 (Kriegsmarine). with the loss of 31 of her 37 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Montgomery (Royal Navy).[1][93][94]
World War II: The cargo ship (3,195 GRT, 1882) was bombed and sunk by Luftwaffe aircraft in the port of Kerch, Soviet Union with the loss of 3 lives.[95][96]
Chepo
Panama
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,707 GRT, 1919) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 230 nautical miles (430 km) west of Rockall, Inverness-shire, United Kingdom (58°30′N19°40′W / 58.500°N 19.667°W / 58.500; -19.667) by U-43 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 17 of her 38 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Sunflower (Royal Navy).[1][97]
Dupoco II
United States
The 8-gross register ton, 30.9-foot (9.4 m) motor vessel was destroyed by fire at Juneau, Territory of Alaska.[98]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (6,641 GRT, 1941) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south east of the Faroe Islands (58°42′N19°16′W / 58.700°N 19.267°W / 58.700; -19.267) by U-43 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 47 of her 53 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Alisma (Royal Navy).[79][99]
World War II: Carrying a cargo of fuel oil, the tanker (9,577 GRT, 1939) was torpedoed and sunk in 284 feet (87 m) of water in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km; 69 mi) southeast of Block Island off the coast of Rhode Island at either 40°28′N70°50′W / 40.467°N 70.833°W / 40.467; -70.833 (Norness) or 40°26′25″N070°51′00″W / 40.44028°N 70.85000°W / 40.44028; -70.85000 (Norness) (according to different sources) by the submarineU-123 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of either one of her 31 crew or two of her 40 crew (according to different sources). She was the first ship sunk by a German submarine off the United States East Coast during World War II. Survivors were rescued by the cutterUSCGC Argo ( United States Coast Guard), the destroyerUSS Ellyson (United States Navy), and the fishing vesselMalvina (United States).[1][101][102]
Soviet Navy
The G-5-class motor torpedo boat (15 t, 1934) was wrecked after being thrown ashore by a storm while being towed to Novorossiysk.[39][103][104]
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (1,878 GRT, 1901) was torpedoed and sunk in the Syltefjorden, Norway by (Soviet Navy).[1]
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper (former Greek Palaskas) struck a mine laid on 11 January by HMS Porpoise (Royal Navy) and sank off Suda Bay, Crete, with the loss of 3 of her 21 crew.[3][105][106]
15 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 15 January 1942
Ship
Country
Description
Portugal
World War II: The (632 GRT, 1918) trawler, a former gunboat,[clarification needed] was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 47°N52°W / 47°N 52°W / 47; -52) by U-203 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 18 hands.[107][108]
United Kingdom
World War II: The tanker (6,768 GRT, 1937) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (40°25′N72°21′W / 40.417°N 72.350°W / 40.417; -72.350) by U-123 (Kriegsmarine) in 190 feet (58 m) of water with the loss of 36 of her 46 crew. Survivors were rescued by USS Rowan and another destroyer (both United States Navy).[107][109][110]
World War II: The tanker (8,106 GRT, 1938) was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km) east south east of Cape Race, Newfoundland (44°50′N46°50′W / 44.833°N 46.833°W / 44.833; -46.833) by U-553 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 57 of her 65 crew. Survivors abandoned ship on 20 January and were rescued by (United Kingdom). On 22 January, the wreck was boarded by eight survivors from (United Kingdom). They were rescued on 28 January by (Sweden). Diala was discovered still afloat on 21 February and an attempt was made to take her in tow by a Royal Navy ship. The tow parted on 26 February and she was again left adrift. She was torpedoed and sunk on 23 March by U-587 (Kriegsmarine).[107][112]
The cargo ship (6,993 GRT, 1941) ran aground on Sandray, Outer Hebrides and broke in two, a total loss.[79]
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The MFP-A landing craft (155/220 t, 1941) was sunk by an explosion off Tripoli, probably by a mine. The 14 crew were all rescued, 12 of them wounded.[113]
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper struck a mine and sank in Suda Bay.[1]
The cargo ship (1,934 GRT, 1916) ran aground at Hvalfjord, Iceland and was damaged. She was refloated on 16 March and towed to Reykjavík. Departed under tow on 21 October for repairs at a Tyneside shipyard, but foundered on 24 October in the Atlantic Ocean (50°15′N11°30′W / 50.250°N 11.500°W / 50.250; -11.500).[114]
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine (757/857 t, 1940) was shelled, rammed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north east of Madeira, Portugal (36°10′N15°25′W / 36.167°N 15.417°W / 36.167; -15.417) by HMS Hesperus (Royal Navy) with the loss of six of her 46 crew. Survivors were taken as prisoners of war.[1][115]
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine (757/857 t, 1941) was depth charged and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north west of Mersa Matruh, Egypt (32°40′N25°48′E / 32.667°N 25.800°E / 32.667; 25.800) by Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 815 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm with the loss of all 43 crew.[116]
16 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 16 January 1942
Ship
Country
Description
Empire Chief
United Kingdom
The tanker (8,040 GRT, 1897) ran aground off Reykjavík, Iceland. She was refloated in March 1942, repaired and returned to service.
Royal Navy
World War II: The naval trawler (276 GRT, 1917) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. All crew were rescued.[107]
Soviet Union
World War II: The cargo ship (3,972 GRT) was sunk in the Gulf of Feodosia by a mine with the loss of 40 lives.[3][6][117]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (6,973 GRT, 1919) ran aground on Barra, Outer Hebrides, Scotland.[118]
World War II: : The L-classdestroyer (1,920/2,660 t, 1941) was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea off Sidi Barrani, Egypt (31°50′N26°15′E / 31.833°N 26.250°E / 31.833; 26.250) by U-133 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of nine crew. She was taken in tow by HNLMS Isaac Sweers (Koninklijk Marine) but later sank. Isaac Sweers rescued 274 crew.[107][120]
World War II: The Kaidai IIIa/b type submarine (1,800/2,300 t, 1929) was depth charged and forced to the surface and sunk in a running gun battle in the Sunda Strait off Krakatoa, Dutch East Indies (6°19′30″S104°49′20″E / 6.32500°S 104.82222°E / -6.32500; 104.82222) with HMS Jupiter (Royal Navy) with the loss of 84 crew. Only three men were picked up and taken prisoner, one of whom later died.[107][121]
Soviet Union
The cargo ship (3,880 GRT) ran aground and was wrecked off the Sambro Island Lighthouse, Nova Scotia, Canada with the loss of two lives.[122][123]Claimed to have been sunk by U-203[124]
World War II: The White 73-foot-class motor torpedo boat (37/44 t, 1941) was sunk by enemy action in the English Channel off Cap Gris Nez, Pas-de-Calais, France. All crew were taken as prisoners of war.[107]
Royal Navy
World War II: The tanker (8,087 GRT, 1931) was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (45°46′N54°18′W / 45.767°N 54.300°W / 45.767; -54.300) off Newfoundland by U-87 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 20 of the 40 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by HMCS St. Clair (Royal Canadian Navy).[107][125][126]
Norway
World War II: The cargo ship (1,345 GRT, 1938) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (about 45°N60°W / 45°N 60°W / 45; -60) off Nova Scotia by U-203 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 17 crew.[107][127]
Italy
World War II: The coaster (301 GRT, 1909) was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Pantelleria (35°59′N10°45′E / 35.983°N 10.750°E / 35.983; 10.750) by HMS Umbra (Royal Navy) with the loss of 14 crew. The only survivor was rescued by the Umbra.[107][36][128]
World War II: The cargo ship (4,702 GRT, 1913) was torpedoed and sunk in the Kii Channel by USS Plunger (United States Navy).[3][134]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (6,082 GRT, 1919) struck a submerged object 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada and was holed. She sank the next day. There were no casualties.[79][135]
Royal Navy
World War II: The naval trawler (394 GRT, 1933) was sunk at Gibraltar by a bomb placed aboard by a Spanish agent of the Abwehr. Four men were killed.[107][136][92]
The decommissioned Kasuga-classarmored cruiser (ex-Nisshin) (7,578 t, 1903) was sunk as a gunnery target in the Inland Sea off Kurahashi, Japan, by the battleshipYamato (Imperial Japanese Navy).
Royal Navy
World War II: The naval trawler (308 GRT, 1928) was damaged beyond repair at Gibraltar by the explosion of the bomb placed aboard HMT Erin by a Spanish agent of the Abwehr. She was never repaired. Two crew were killed.[107][138][92]
United States
World War II: The cargo ship (1,679 GRT, 1905) was bombed and damaged by Japanese aircraft at Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines and beached to prevent sinking. Salvaged and put in Japanese service as (Japan).[13][139]
World War II: The cargo ship (5,269 GRT, 1904) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of the United States (35°42′N75°21′W / 35.700°N 75.350°W / 35.700; -75.350) by U-123 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 44 of her 47 crew. Survivors were rescued by the train ferry (United States).[107][140][142]
World War II: Convoy OS 17: The cargo ship (5,478 GRT, 1928) was wrecked in a gale and rain 6 miles north of the at . Broke in two the next day. All on board made it to shore in her boats.[144][145]
World War II: The ocean liner (7,989 GRT, 1928) was torpedoed and sunk between Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, United States and Bermuda (35°00′N72°30′W / 35.000°N 72.500°W / 35.000; -72.500) by U-66 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 251 of the 322 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by (United States) on 27 January.[107][146][147][148]
World War II: The cargo ship (2,677 GRT, 1920) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (at 36°07′N75°23′W / 36.117°N 75.383°W / 36.117; -75.383), by U-123 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 29 crew.[150]
World War II: The naval trawler (364 GRT, 1911) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north east of the Azores, Portugal by U-581 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 25 crew.[152]
Norway
World War II: The coaster (506 or 492 GRT, 1910) was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off the Sværholt Peninsula by K-23 (Soviet Navy) with the loss of two crew.[153]
Norway
World War II: : The troopship (6,655 GRT, 1930) was bombed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea (34°03′N24°14′E / 34.050°N 24.233°E / 34.050; 24.233) by a Junkers Ju 88 aircraft of the Luftwaffe with the loss of 33 of the 374 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by HMS Havock (Royal Navy), which scuttled Thermopylæ.[154]
Vaaland
Norway
World War II: The fishing cutter (106 GRT, 1902) was shelled and sunk off Berlevåg, Norway by K-22 (Soviet Navy) with the loss of one crew member.[155]
Netherlands
World War II: The cargo ship (2,980 GRT) was bombed and sunk in the Indian Ocean south of Java, Dutch East Indies by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft. The ship was carrying 478 German civilian internees, who, forced at gunpoint to remain on the ship, perished almost completely. The few survivors were intentionally denied rescue and assistance by the Dutch; only a few managed to reach nearby islands.[3][107]
World War II: The cargo ship (4,184 GRT, 1934) was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean at Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island, Australia by I-59 (Imperial Japanese Navy). All crew were rescued.[107]
Norway
World War II: Battle of Rabaul: The cargo ship (5,100 GRT, 1939) was bombed and sunk at Rabaul, Papua New Guinea by Japanese aircraft with the loss of one crew member.[107]
The cargo ship (3,229 GRT, 1918) ran aground at Port Logan, Wigtownshire. Refloated on 5 June, repaired and re-entered service as Empire Usk.[79]
Greece
World War II: : The cargo ship (3,838 GRT, 1924) straggled behind the convoy. She was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 29 hands.[1][159]
USS S-36
United States Navy
World War II: The S-class submarine (854/1,062 t, 1923) ran aground on the in the Makassar Strait, Dutch East Indies. She was scuttled due to damage sustained and to prevent capture by enemy forces. The whole crew was rescued by (Netherlands).[160]
Westralia
Australia
World War II: Battle of Rabaul: The coal hulk (2,884 GRT, 1897) was bombed and sunk by Japanese aircraft at Simpson Harbour, New Britain.
The cargo ship (4,050 GRT, 1923) ran aground at and was abandoned. She was refloated on 2 April but declared a constructive total loss. Repaired and re-entered service in 1943 as Empire Torridge.[79]
World War II: The patrol boat (1,161 GRT, 1926) was bombed and sunk at Belawan, Dutch East Indies by Japanese aircraft.[107]
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (1,994 GRT, 1914) was struck a mine and sank off Norway.[165]
Norway
World War II: The cargo ship (1,344 GRT, 1939) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (46°56′N52°47′W / 46.933°N 52.783°W / 46.933; -52.783 off Newfoundland by U-754 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of ten of her 19 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMCS Algoma (Royal Canadian Navy).[107][166][167]
World War II: The tanker (11,999 GRT, 1929) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (45°06′N40°56′W / 45.100°N 40.933°W / 45.100; -40.933) by U-82 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of her 55 crew. Survivors were rescued by Argos Hill (United Kingdom), (Sweden) and a Royal Navy ship.[169]
The Gnevny-classdestroyer was driven into the submarineShch-214 (Soviet Navy) and damaged at Tuapse.[66]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,851 GRT, 1928) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (58°39′N7°36′W / 58.650°N 7.600°W / 58.650; -7.600) off northwestern Scotland by U-588 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 48 crew.[170]
Belgium
World War II: : The cargo ship (9,626 GRT, 1907) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (45°N41°W / 45°N 41°W / 45; -41) by U-135 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 64 of her 79 crew. Survivors were rescued by USS Bernadou (United States Navy) and the fishing vessel João Corte Real (Portugal).[107][171][172]
World War II: The cargo ship (4,482 GRT) was torpoedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean by I-64 (Imperial Japanese Navy). Four crew were killed. There were 113 survivors.[175]
Italy
World War II: The troopship (13,098 GRT, 1930) was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by a Fairey Albacore aircraft of 826 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm with the loss of 391 of the 1,455 people aboard.[107][176]
World War II: The cargo ship (5,463 GRT, 1921) was torpedoed and damaged in the South China Sea by USS Seadragon (United States Navy). She was beached on the northern coast of French Indochina (12°00′N109°00′E / 12.000°N 109.000°E / 12.000; 109.000) and later repaired.[177]
Norway
The coaster (115 GRT, 1903) ran aground in Hjeltefjorden, Norway. She broke in two and sank. All crew survived.[178]
Royal Navy
World War II: The patrol vessel (894 GRT, 1927) was bombed and sunk at Sabang, Dutch East Indies by Japanese aircraft. All crew were rescued.[107]
World War II: Battle of Balikpapan: The Seia Maru-class transport (6,757 GRT, 1940) was bombed and sunk by Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force Martin 139 aircraft in the Makassar Strait east of Bontang, at 00°18′N117°43′E / 0.300°N 117.717°E / 0.300; 117.717.[3][180]
Navemar
Spain
World War II: The cargo liner (5,301 or 5,473 GRT, 1921) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Portugal by Barbarigo (Regia Marina) with the loss of two of her 36 crew. Survivors were rescued by (Spain).[107][181]
USS Neches
United States Navy
World War II: The oiler (7,383 GRT, 1920) was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean 120 nautical miles (220 km) west of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (21°01′N160°06′W / 21.017°N 160.100°W / 21.017; -160.100) by I-72 (Imperial Japanese Navy) with the loss of 57 of her 183 crew. Survivors were rescued by USS Jarvis (United States Navy).[107]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship struck a Dutch mine and sank off Singapore (00°55′N103°35′E / 0.917°N 103.583°E / 0.917; 103.583). Of a crew of 31 and four passengers, only two survived to become prisoners of war. (See entry at 24 January 1942)[107]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (4,887 GRT, 1928) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (43°20′N66°15′W / 43.333°N 66.250°W / 43.333; -66.250) by U-109 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of the 46 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by (United States).[107][182]
Palestine
The cargo ship (563 GRT, 1880) foundered in a gale near Ras el Fasori, Syria on passage Iskenderun for Port Said with chrome ore, poppy seed and tobacco.[183]
World War II: Convoy SC 100: The cargo ship (5,631 GRT, 1918) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (39°30′N59°54′W / 39.500°N 59.900°W / 39.500; -59.900) by U-106 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of nine of her 31 crew. Survivors were rescued by USS Lang (United States Navy).[185]
Imperial Japanese Navy
World War II: Battle of Balikpapan: The transport ship was bombed and sunk by Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air ForceMartin 139s.[3]
Imperial Japanese Navy
World War II: Battle of Balikpapan: The troop transport (5,175 GRT, 1925) was torpedoed and sunk by USS John D. Ford (United States Navy). 188 soldiers were killed.[186][187]
World War II: Battle of Balikpapan: The patrol boat, the former Momi-classdestroyer Hishi (850/1,020 t, 1922), was torpedoed and damaged at (01°24′S117°02′E / 1.400°S 117.033°E / -1.400; 117.033) by USS Parrott, USS Paul Jones, USS John D. Ford and USS Pope (all United States Navy). Towed in to Balikpapan harbor. Crew ordered off the ship 5 February and repairs begun. Repairs abandoned and decommissioned 10 April. Stripped 17–30 April and abandoned, eventually sinking. Wreck raised and scrapped at unknown date.[189]
Norway
World War II: : The cargo ship (4,765 GRT, 1923) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (45°50′N51°04′W / 45.833°N 51.067°W / 45.833; -51.067) by (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 30 of the 43 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by USS Swanson (United States Navy).[107][190]
USS S-26
United States Navy
The S-class submarine (854/1,062 t, 1923) was rammed and sunk in the Gulf of Panama by USS Sturdy (United States Navy) with the loss of 46 of her 49 crew.
Imperial Japanese Navy
World War II: Battle of Balikpapan: The transport (3,519 GRT) was shelled, torpedoed and sunk by USS Pope (United States Navy) while riding at anchor. 9 passengers, and the ship’s whole Navy crew were killed.[191][192]
World War II: The cargo ship (8,017 GRT, 1921) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (34°50′N75°20′W / 34.833°N 75.333°W / 34.833; -75.333) by U-66 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 17 of her 42 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United States) and (United Kingdom).[107][193]
25 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 25 January 1942
Ship
Country
Description
Z8 Bruno Heinemann
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Type 1934A-classdestroyer (2,171/3,110 t, 1938) struck two mines and sank off the coast of Belgium, with the loss of 98 crewmen.
The cargo ship (2,828 GRT, 1942) ran aground 14 nautical miles (26 km) north of Aberdeen. She was holed and abandoned. Refloated on 16 February, subsequently repaired and returned to service.[79]
Unnamed cargo ship (possibly )
United Kingdom
World War II: A cargo ship (1,811 GRT) was torpedoed and sunk by I-59 (Imperial Japanese Navy) in Sabang Roads.[196]
World War II: The cargo ship (9,246 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Balikpapan, Netherlands East Indies by Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft of the United States Army Air Force.[3]
Royal Navy
World War II: The auxiliary patrol vessel was scuttled and Endau. She was later salvaged and taken to Singapore.[107]
The auxiliary minesweeper (206 GRT, 1912) sank at Milford Haven after a collision with HMS Shera (Royal Navy). One crewman died.[205][206][207]
United States
World War II: The tanker (7,096 GRT, 1922) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (38°05′N74°53′W / 38.083°N 74.883°W / 38.083; -74.883) by U-130 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of four of her 32 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United States) and a United States Coast Guard vessel.[107][208]
World War II: Battle off Endau: The S-classdestroyer (905/1,221 t, 1919) was sunk off Endau, Malaya by Sendai, Yūgiri, Fubuki, Asagiri, and (all Imperial Japanese Navy). 37 crewmen killed. Two later drowned when their lifeboat hit a reef. 8 crewmen were rescued on 29 January and 54 crewmen and 2 Royal Air Force pilots on 30 January by (Royal Navy). 31 crewmen rescued by Shirayuki (Imperial Japanese Navy) and made prisoners of war.[107]
28 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 28 January 1942
Ship
Country
Description
Norway
World War II: : The cargo ship (812 GRT, 1918) was bombed and sunk in the English Channel off Hartland Point, Devon, United Kingdom by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of 17 of her 20 crew.[214]
United States Army
World War II: The transport (632 GRT) struck a mine or was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine, split in half and sank in one minute 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Maui, Hawaii Territory. 24 of the 60 aboard were killed.[107][215]
World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper (353 GRT, 1939) was bombed and sunk at Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands during an air raid. Four crew were wounded. She was raised and resumed service as M 4014.[3][216]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship (4,583 GRT, 1910) was torpedoed and sunk in the Adriatic Sea off Cape Planka, Yugoslavia (43°30′N15°55′E / 43.500°N 15.917°E / 43.500; 15.917), by HMS Thorn (Royal Navy). Before being sunk with a torpedo the ship had been missed with four other torpedoes and then engaged and damaged with gunfire. There were 8 dead and 11 survivors.[107][217][36]
29 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 29 January 1942
Ship
Country
Description
Netherlands
World War II: The cargo ship (1,053 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Padang, Dutch East Indies by Japanese aircraft.[107]
Norway
World War II: The coaster was bombed and sunk in the English Channel 2.8 nautical miles (5.2 km) due east of Lizard Head, Cornwall by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of 16 of her 19 crew. (Look 28/01/1942)[107]
Braconbush
United Kingdom
World War II: The trawler (204 GRT) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south east of Duncansby Head, Caithness. All crew were rescued.[107]
Netherlands
World War II: The cargo ship (1,800 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Padang by Japanese aircraft.[107]
Crown
United Kingdom
World War II: The fishing boat (91 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire by Luftwaffe aircraft.[107]
Netherlands
World War II: The cargo ship (1,797 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Padang by Japanese aircraft.[107]
Soviet Union
World War II: The tanker was bombed and severely damaged in the Black Sea off by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was subsequently used as a hulk at , where she was torpedoed and sunk on 30 July 1943.[218]
United States
World War II: The cargo ship (5,049 GRT) was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean 15 miles east of Madras, India (12°55′N80°33′E / 12.917°N 80.550°E / 12.917; 80.550) by I-64 (Imperial Japanese Navy). There are no casualties and all hands reach Madras in lifeboats.[107]
United Kingdom
World War II: The tug (174 GRT) was bombed and damaged at Falmouth, Cornwall by Luftwaffe aircraft and was beached. She was later salvaged, repaired and returned to service.[107]
Ocean Gift
United Kingdom
World War II: The fishing boat (91 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Rosehearty by Luftwaffe aircraft.[107]
Netherlands
World War II: The cargo ship (9,272 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Padang by Japanese aircraft.[107]
World War II: The naval trawler (358 GRT, 1926) was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) north of Skegness, Lincolnshire, by Luftwaffe aircraft. All crew survived.[107]
World War II: The United States Coast and Geodetic Survey () survey ship was damaged indirectly by bombing off Corregidor, partially sinking from leaks on Corregidor and then floating away on the tide and grounding on the Bataan Peninsula in sinking condition.[223]
World War II: The yawl (18 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Eyemouth, Berwickshire by Luftwaffe aircraft.[107]
United Kingdom
World War II: The tanker (7,419 GRT, 1935) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (38°10′N63°50′W / 38.167°N 63.833°W / 38.167; -63.833) by U-107 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 41 of her 50 crew. Survivors were rescued by a Martin PBM Mariner aircraft of the United States Navy.[107][225]
World War II: The cargo ship (5,083 GRT, 1922) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 450 nautical miles (830 km) north of the Azores, Portugal (45°12′N24°50′W / 45.200°N 24.833°W / 45.200; -24.833) by U-333 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 72 of the 152 crew and prisoners aboard. At the time of her loss, she was disguised as the Norwegian ship Elk.[226][227]
Royal Navy
The auxiliary minesweeper (96 GRT, 1919) capsized and sank in the North Sea off Blyth, Northumberland during a storm with the loss of one crew member.[107]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1942
Ship
Country
Description
Soviet Union
The cargo ship (1,941 GRT) was wrecked in the Black Sea between 19 and 23 January. Lost with all 34 crew members.[6]
United States
World War II: The cargo liner (854 GRT, 1879) was sunk at Cebu, Philippines by Japanese aircraft.[13][228]
Regia Marina
The MAS 501-class MAS boat was wrecked at Kefalonia on 21 January 1942 or 24 June 1942.[229]
Regia Marina
The MAS 501-class MAS boat was wrecked at Kefalonia on 21 January 1942 or 24 June 1942.[229]
Kriegsmarine
The PiLB 39 Type personnel landing craft was lost sometime in January.[230]
HMS Triumph
Royal Navy
The T-class submarine (1,090/1,573 t, 1939) disappeared between 30 December 1941 and 9 January 1942 with the loss of all 59 crew. Possibly struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea.[1]
United States Navy
World War II: The fuel barge (323 GRT) is lost to enemy action in the Philippines.[13]
^Biagini e Frattolillo (1996). Diario Storico del Comando Supremo, Vol VI, Tom 1, dal 1.1.1942 al 30.4.1942 - Parte Prima (in Italian). Roma: Stato Maggiore Escercito - Ufficio Storico. p. 36.
^ ab"I-56". www.combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
^Williams, Greg (2018). The Last Days of the United States Asiatic Fleet: The Fates of the Ships and Those Aboard, December 8, 1941–February 5, 1942. McFarland. p. 119. ISBN978-1-4766-7248-9.
^Jordan, Roger (1999). The world's merchant fleets, 1939. London: Chatham publishing. p. 446. ISBN1-86176-023-X.
^"Teian Maru". combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
^"Akita Maru". combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
^"MLD book". books.stonebooks.com. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
^Charles, Roland W. (1947). Troopships of World War II(PDF). Washington: The Army Transportation Association. p. 14. LCCN47004779. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
^"USAT Liberty". indopacificimages.com. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
^ abcdefghiMitchell, 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.
^Cassells, Vic (1995), For those in peril- : a comprehensive listing of the ships and men of the Royal Australian Navy who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the wars of the twentieth century, Kangaroo Press, ISBN978-0-86417-734-6