The cargo ship (3,402 GRT, 1924) collided with another vessel and sank in the Bristol Channel off St Davids, Pembrokeshire. Four crewmen were killed.[1]
World War II: The cargo ship (5,295 GRT, 1919) struck a mine and sank off the Goodwin Sands, Kent near the (United Kingdom) with the loss of one crew member. Survivors were rescued by the North Goodwin Lightship (United Kingdom) and a Dutch ship.[2][8]
Norway
World War II: The cargo ship (1,342 GRT, 1924) struck a mine and sank off the mouth of the Humber (53°43′N0°17′E / 53.717°N 0.283°E / 53.717; 0.283) with the loss of three of her 19 crew. Survivors were rescued by the fishing boat Ellen M (United Kingdom).[5][9]
6 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 6 November 1939
Ship
Country
Description
Norway
The cargo ship (1,028 GRT, 1921) ran aground in the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom and was wrecked. All crew survived.[10][11]
9 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 9 November 1939
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: The coaster (961 GRT, 1921) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea three nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) off Seaham, Co Durham with the loss of two of her 17 crew. Survivors were rescued by the Seaham lifeboat.[2][12][13]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (1,210 GRT, 1935) was set on fire by an onboard explosion at Brest, Finistère, France, and was towed out of the port and grounded. Nine crewmen and seven French dockworkers were killed. She was a total loss.[14][15][16]
10 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 10 November 1939
Ship
Country
Description
Ruth Shaw
United States
Carrying a cargo of stone, the 200-foot (61 m), 485-gross register tonbarge sank in 85 feet (26 m) of water in the North Atlantic Ocean west of Sandy Hook, New Jersey.[17]
The naval trawler (504 GRT, 1936) ran aground at Whitby, Yorkshire and was wrecked. There were no casualty. She was later salvaged, repaired and returned to service.[2][21]
United Kingdom
World War II: The trawler (275 GRT, 1917) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the Isle of Lewis by U-41 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of six of her 13 crew. Survivors were rescued by U-41 and later transferred to the trawler Phyllisia (United Kingdom).[2][18][22][23]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (5,167 GRT, 1930) ran aground three nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) off Spurn Head, Yorkshire and sank. All crew were rescued. The wreck was dispersed in 1948.[24]
Finland
The cargo ship (1,410 GRT, 1882) ran aground on Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands and broke her back, a total loss.[25]
World War II: The B-classdestroyer (1,360/1,790 t, 1931) struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary with the loss of two crew. Survivors were rescued by the tugs & and the trawler Kesterel (all United Kingdom).[26]
World War II: The minesweeper (508/550 t, 1919) was damaged in the North Sea off List, Schleswig-Holstein by the explosion of a depth charge dropped in error by another ship and was beached. She was declared a total loss. There was no casualty.[2][18][29]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (8,003 gt, 1926) struck a mine in the North Sea 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) east of the (United Kingdom) with the loss of 16 crew. The ship was beached.[2][30]
World War II: The cargo ship (7,745 GRT, 1925) was sunk by a mine 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) outside Singapore Harbour with the loss of 20 lives.[34]
14 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 14 November 1939
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (1,352 GRT, 1919) struck the sunken wreck of (Denmark) in the North Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off Holmpton, Yorkshire (53°40′N0°17′E / 53.667°N 0.283°E / 53.667; 0.283) and was holed. An attempt was made by (United Kingdom) to tow and beach her, but she capsized and sank.[5][35]
Maurice-Marguerite
Belgium
World War II: The fishing vessel (27 GRT, 1925) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Gravelines, Nord, France with the loss of three crew.[2][36]
World War II: The cargo ship (945 GRT) struck a mine in the Baltic Sea off Tallinn and sank.[42]
Lithuania
World War II: The cargo ship (1,607 GRT, 1924) struck a mine in Baltic Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south of the Revelstein Reef and sank.[42][43]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (794 GRT, 1915) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea north of Margate, Kent. Eight lives were lost.[2][18][44][45]
16 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 16 November 1939
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (4,915 GRT, 1924) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 230 nautical miles (430 km) south west of (48°14′N11°42′W / 48.233°N 11.700°W / 48.233; -11.700) by U-43 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of her 34 crew. Survivors were rescued by (Netherlands) and (Norway).[18][42][46][47]
Royal Navy
The motor torpedo boat (18/22 t, 1936) was rammed and sunk by HMS Dainty (Royal Navy).[2]
Resercho
United Kingdom
World War II: The trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Orfordness, Suffolk. (Look 28/12/1939)[33]
Sliedrecht
Netherlands
World War II: The tanker (5,133 GRT, 1924) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) south of Rockall, United Kingdom by U-28 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 26 of her 31 crew. Survivors were rescued by the trawler Merisia (United Kingdom).[18][42][48][49]
World War II: The cargo ship (1,566 GRT, 1931) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 6.5 nautical miles (12.0 km) west north west of the Noord Hinder Lightship by U-57 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of her 16 crew.[18][42][50][51]
18 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 18 November 1939
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (2,492 GRT, 1919) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the (United Kingdom) with the loss of one crew member. Survivors were rescued by HMS Gipsy (Royal Navy).[18][42][52]
Yugoslavia
World War II: The cargo ship (6,371 GRT, 1928) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) north of the (United Kingdom). All crew were rescued.[42][53][54]
World War II: The cargo ship (1,586 GRT, 1907) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 km) off Spurn Head, Yorkshire (53°46′N0°13′E / 53.767°N 0.217°E / 53.767; 0.217) with the loss of six crew. Survivors were rescued by the trawlers Frascati (United Kingdom) and (Royal Navy).[18][42]
World War II: The cargo ship (5,857 GRT, 1923) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea five nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) north of North Foreland, Kent with the loss of six of her 30 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Gipsy and HMS Griffin (both Royal Navy).[2][61]
World War II: The cargo ship (2,921 GRT, 1920) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) south of the (United Kingdom) with the loss of 16 of her 33 crew.[42][63]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (1,383 GRT, 1909) was torpedoed and sunk 8 nautical miles (15 km) off the mouth of the Tyne by U-57 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 20 crew.[18][42][64]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (1,267 GRT, 1929) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) north north east of the (United Kingdom) with the loss of four of her 12 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Greyhound (Royal Navy).[18][42]
20 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 20 November 1939
Ship
Country
Description
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (4,110 GRT, 1919) was intercepted in the Atlantic Ocean south east of Iceland (64°10′N15°14′W / 64.167°N 15.233°W / 64.167; -15.233) by (Royal Navy) and was scuttled by her crew. HMS Chitral rescued them.[42]
Delphine
United Kingdom
World War II: The trawler (250 GRT, 1914) was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north by east of Tory Island, County Donegal, Ireland by U-33 (Kriegsmarine). All crew were rescued.[18][42][65][66]
Royal Navy
World War II: The Basset class trawler (521/725 t, 1938) was sunk in the North Sea 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) off the (United Kingdom) by the detonation of a German mine the crew was trying to bring on board, with the loss of six crew. Survivors were rescued by and the Margate lifeboat.[18][42][67]
Sea Sweeper
United Kingdom
World War II: The trawler (329 GRT, 1915) was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) north north west of Tory Island by U-33 (Kriegsmarine). All crew were rescued by the trawler Lois (United Kingdom).[18][42][68][69]
Thomas Hankins
United Kingdom
World War II: The trawler (276 GRT, 1918) was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 14 nautical miles (26 km) north west of Tory Island by U-33 (Kriegsmarine). All crew were rescued.[70][71]
World War II: the Town-classcruiser (10,565/13,175 t, 1939) struck a mine in the Firth of Forth off the Isle of May (56°06′N2°55′W / 56.100°N 2.917°W / 56.100; -2.917). She was severely damaged with her back broken and one crew member fatally injured. She was towed to Rosyth, Fife by the tugs , , , and (all United Kingdom). Repairs took until November 1942 to complete.[42][75]
HMS Gipsy
Royal Navy
World War II: The G-classdestroyer (1,350/1,883 t, 1936) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Harwich, Essex with the loss of 30 of her 146 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Keith and HMS Griffin (both Royal Navy).[42]
World War II: The trawler (287 GRT, 1909) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 73 nautical miles (135 km) north west of Rathlin Island, County Donegal, Ireland by U-33 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of her 12 crew.[18][42][79]
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (4,996 GRT, 1921) was intercepted in the Atlantic Ocean west of Iceland (62°25′N20°00′W / 62.417°N 20.000°W / 62.417; -20.000) by HMS Transylvania (Royal Navy) and was scuttled by her 73 crew, who were rescued by HMS Transylvania.[33][42]
World War II: The Terukuni Maru-classocean liner (11,931 GRT, 1930) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) off the (United Kingdom). All 206 passengers and crew were rescued.
William Humphries
United Kingdom
World War II: The trawler (276 GRT, 1918) was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 73 nautical miles (135 km) north west of Rathlin Island by U-33 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 13 crew.[42][80][81]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the (United Kingdom).[33] (Look 10/12/1939)
World War II: The cargo ship (2,495 GRT) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off the (United Kingdom). Survivors were rescued by HMS Wivern (Royal Navy).[18][42]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (974 GRT, 1911) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Clacton-on-Sea, Essex with the loss of nine of her 12 crew. Survivors were rescued by (Royal Navy).[42][86]
Greece
The cargo ship (4,499 GRT, 1912) collided with (Norway) in the North Sea and sank. (Look 31/10/1941 ? was bombed and sunk in the North Sea by Luftwaffe aircraft)[42]
23 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 23 November 1939
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: The captured German cargo ship (3,670 GRT, 1922) was shelled and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean west north west of the Orkney Islands (59°33′N3°57′W / 59.550°N 3.950°W / 59.550; -3.950) by U-33 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of four German crew. Survivors were rescued by and (both Royal Navy). Borkum was abandoned and came ashore in , but was declared a total loss. She was refloated on 18 August 1940 and scrapped at Rosyth, Fife in October 1940.[18][42][87]
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy FS 40: The cargo ship (1,537 GRT, 1923) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) east north east of the (United Kingdom) with the loss of two of her 17 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Bittern (Royal Navy).[2][88]
World War II: The armed merchant cruiser (16,697 GRT, 1925) was shelled and sunk north of the Faroe Islands by the battleships Gneisenau and Scharnhorst (both Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 238 of the 286 people on board. Survivors were rescued by Gneisenau, Scharnhorst, and (Royal Navy).[42]
24 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 24 November 1939
Ship
Country
Description
Sweden
The cargo ship grounded at Tallinn, Estonia. She was later refloated and temporary repairs were effected for a return to Sweden. The ship was then laid up.[18]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (8,886 GRT, 1920) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Spurn HeadYorkshire.[18]
United Kingdom
The cargo liner (8,084 or 8,183 GRT, 1921) became stranded at Liverpool, Lancashire. She broke in two and was declared a total loss.[89]
25 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 25 November 1939
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The cargo ship (434 GRT, 1921) came ashore at Ainsdale, Lancashire in a gale. Ten crew rescued, 23 killed.[90]
Germany
The cargo ship (4,128 GRT, 1910) was wrecked on Schiermonnikoog, Friesland, Netherlands. The whole crew abandoned ship without casualties.[91][92]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,144 GRT, 1918) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Cornwall (49°15′N9°16′W / 49.250°N 9.267°W / 49.250; -9.267) by U-28 (Kriegsmarine). All crew were rescued by the trawler Romilly (United Kingdom).[18][93][94]
IJM 116 Sylvain
Netherlands
World War II: The trawler (206 GRT, 1912) left port on the 24th and disappeared in the North Sea with all eleven hands. She was probably sunk by a mine on the 25th.[48][95][96]
The cargo ship (509 GRT, 1903) foundered in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north of the Noord Hinder Lightship with the loss of 3 of her five crew. Survivors were rescued by (Norway).[18][99]
World War II: The tanker (6,336 GRT, 1928) was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 14 nautical miles (26 km) west north west of Fair Isle, United Kingdom, by U-48 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of her 34 crew. She was taken in tow by (Royal Navy) but broke in two the next day, with the bow section sinking. The stern section was later scuttled by Royal Navy ships. Survivors were rescued by HMT Kingston Beryl and the Lerwick lifeboat Lady Jane and Martha Ryland ( Royal National Lifeboat Institution).[42][100]
Netherlands
World War II: The cargo liner (8,857 GRT, 1922) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea two nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) north east of the (United Kingdom) with the loss of five lives (four crew and the only passenger).[2][18][48][101][102]
28 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 28 November 1939
Ship
Country
Description
Royal Navy
The tanker (1,115 GRT, 1917) ran aground off South Uist and was wrecked. The whole crew survived.[42][103][104]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (1,041 GRT, 1905) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) east north east of the (United Kingdom) with the loss of 13 crew. Survivors were rescued by a Royal Navy trawler.[2][105]
United Kingdom
Waikouaiti
The cargo ship (3,926 GRT, 1914) ran aground on Dog Island in New Zealand's Foveaux Strait and was wrecked. Her crew survived.[106]
Winter War: The Finnish Coast Guard motorboat was shelled and sunk in the Baltic off by (Soviet Navy). All four Coast Guardsmen on board were killed.[108]
Finland
Winter War: The coaster (299 GRT) sank at Liinahamari.[42]