World War II: Texel Disaster: The I-class destroyer (1,370/1,888 t, 1937) struck a mine in the North Sea, off the Frisian Islands, Netherlands and was severely damaged. She was scuttled by HMS Kelvin (Royal Navy). Eight of her 146 crew were killed. Survivors rescued by , , and all (Royal Navy).[3]
Regia Marina
World War II: The motor torpedo boat was rammed and sunk by HMS Ilex (Royal Navy) at either Maltezana, Rhodes or , Greece. (Look 07/07/1943)[1]
HMML Mesme
Royal Navy
The motor launch was in collision with HMS Sunfish (Royal Navy) at Grangemouth, Stirlingshire and sank with the loss of all three crew.[1]
Royal Navy
World War II: The naval trawler (248 GRT, 1916) struck a mine and sank in Mounts Bay off Penzance, Cornwall with the loss of seven crew.[1][4]
Sancte Michel
France
World War II: The trawler (168 GRT) was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Brest, Finistère by HMS Tigris (Royal Navy).[1]
2 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 2 September 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Ireland (approximately 55°14′N16°40′W / 55.233°N 16.667°W / 55.233; -16.667) by U-46 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 39 crew. (Look 31/08/1940)[5][6]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (6,317 GRT, 1927) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of the Cape Verde Islands (27°55′N36°01′W / 27.917°N 36.017°W / 27.917; -36.017) by Widder (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of seven crew. 26 survivors were made prisoners of war.[1][7] 14-year-old deck-boy Kenneth Berry later became a member of the British Free Corps.
Canada
The sailing ship (987 GRT) ran aground in the Minas Basin, Nova Scotia and was wrecked.[8]
The sailing ship (3,435 GRT) sank in the Pacific Ocean off Wyndham, Western Australia.[11]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (4,261 GRT, 1929) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of County Donegal, Ireland (55°14′N16°40′W / 55.233°N 16.667°W / 55.233; -16.667) by U-46 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of three of her 37 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMCS Skeena (Royal Canadian Navy) and (Norway).[1][12][13][14]
World War II: The cargo ship (3,177 GRT, 1919) was bombed and sunk at Haugesund, Rogaland by Royal Air Force aircraft. She was later raised, repaired and returned to service.[17]
Australia
The cargo ship ran aground at Point Kialla, New South Wales and was wrecked. One of her seven crew was killed.[18]
United Kingdom
The coaster (880 GRT, 1926) collided with another vessel off Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire and sank.[19]
Kriegsmarine
The decoy ship (224 GRT, 1920) was sunk on this date.[20]
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (5781 GRT, 1920) was intercepted in the Bay of Biscay (46°30′N11°30′W / 46.500°N 11.500°W / 46.500; -11.500) by HMS Truant (Royal Navy) and was scuttled by her crew. The survivors were rescued by HMS Truant and a Short Sunderland aircraft of the Royal Air Force.[1][21][22]
The Type IICsubmarine (286/336 t, 1938) collided in the North Sea off Brunsbüttel, Schleswig-Holstein with (Norway) and sank with the loss of six of her 25 crew. She was subsequently raised, repaired and returned to service.
World War II: Convoy FS 271: The collier (1,729 GRT, 1929) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Happisburgh, Norfolk by (Kriegsmarine). All crew were rescued.[1][24]
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy FS 271: The cargo ship (1,562 GRT, 1939) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk by (Kriegsmarine).[25]
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy FS 271:[1] The collier (1,571 GRT, 1938) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea north east of Winterton-on-Sea by (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 17 of her 18 crew.[1][26]
United Kingdom
The passenger ship (1,945 GRT, 1924) collided with (United Kingdom) off the Mull of Kintyre and sank. All 101 people on board were rescued.[27][28]
Luimneach
Ireland
World War II: The cargo ship (1,074 GRT, 1915) was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west south west of the Isles of Scilly (47°50′N9°12′W / 47.833°N 9.200°W / 47.833; -9.200) by U-46 (Kriegsmarine). All 18 crew were rescued; three were taken on board U-46 as prisoners of war, the rest by a French trawler.[1][29]
Regia Marina
World War II: The MAS 526-class MAS boat (26 t, 1939) was sunk in the Aegean Sea by HMAS Sydney (Royal Australian Navy) and HMS Orion (Royal Navy).[30]
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy FS 271: The cargo ship (2,709 GRT, 1924) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Happisburgh by (Kriegsmarine). All crew were rescued.[1][31]
Netherlands
World War II: Convoy FS 271: The collier (1,075 GRT, 1920) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Winterton-on-Sea by (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of eight crew.[1][32]
World War II: The naval tug (597 GRT, 1918) struck a mine in the Firth of Forth off Inchkeith, Fife and sank with the loss of all 26 crew.[1][33][34]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (9,035 GRT, 1906) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 80 nautical miles (150 km) south west of Rockall, Inverness-shire (58°14′N15°50′W / 58.233°N 15.833°W / 58.233; -15.833) by U-47 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of six of her 95 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMCS St. Laurent (Royal Canadian Navy).[1][35]
5 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 5 September 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The vorpostenboot (460 or 465 GRT, 1937) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Dunkerque, Nord, France.[1][15][36]
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The vorpostenboot (432 or 444 GRT, 1934) struck a mine and sank in the Westerschelde off Vlissingen, Zeeland, Netherlands.[1][15][37]
World War II: : The Flower-class corvette (925/1,170 t, 1940) collided with (United Kingdom) in the Irish Sea off , County AntrimNorthern Ireland (55°18′N5°57′W / 55.300°N 5.950°W / 55.300; -5.950) and sank with the loss of 32 of her 47 crew.[1]
Norway
World War II: The coaster (128 GRT, 1938) struck a mine and sank off the Terningen Lighthouse with the loss of five of her seven crew.[39]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (4,647 GRT, 1907) was bombed and sunk in the North Sea south east of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire (57°25′N1°45′W / 57.417°N 1.750°W / 57.417; -1.750) by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of three crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Sandwich (Royal Navy).[1][40]
7 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 7 September 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Netherlands
World War II: The cargo ship (7,906 GRT, 1939) was bombed and sunk at London, United Kingdom during a Luftwaffe air raid. Later raised, repaired and returned to service.[41]
Royal Navy
The naval trawler (246 GRT, 1906) foundered in the River Thames with the loss of five crew.[1]
Norway
World War II: Convoy SC 2: The cargo ship (4,211 GRT, 1917) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom (58°30′N16°10′W / 58.500°N 16.167°W / 58.500; -16.167) by U-47 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 11 of her 32 crew. (United Kingdom) rescued the survivors.[1][42]
United Kingdom
World War II: The tug (45 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Beckton Gas Works, London in a Luftwaffe air raid.[1]
HMS Inanda
Royal Navy
World War II: The ocean boarding vessel (5,985 GRT, 1925) was bombed and sunk in the Royal Albert Dock, London during a Luftwaffe air raid. She was later salvaged, rebuilt as a cargo ship and entered service as Empire Explorer.
HMS Inkosi
Royal Navy
World War II: The ocean boarding vessel (6,618 GRT, 1937) was bombed and sunk in the Royal Albert Dock, London during a Luftwaffe air raid. She was later salvaged, rebuilt as a cargo ship and entered service as Empire Chivalry.
World War II: The patrol vessel (257 GRT, 1916) or (233 GRT, 1917) struck a mine and sank in the English Channel off Calais, Pas-de-Calais, France.[1][45]
Royal Navy
The armed yacht (687 GRT, 1929) collided with (United Kingdom) in the Bristol Channel off Cardiff, Glamorgan and sank.
Salacon
United Kingdom
World War II: The trawler (211 GRT, 1905) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 5.3 nautical miles (9.8 km) south east of Spurn Point, Yorkshire with the loss of eight of her 12 crew.[1][46]
Netherlands
World War II: Convoy FS 273: The cargo ship (5,750 GRT, 1940) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea east of Lowestoft, Suffolk, United Kingdom (52°25′N2°02′E / 52.417°N 2.033°E / 52.417; 2.033) by the E-boatsS-33 and S-36 (both Kriegsmarine). All crew were rescued.[1][47]
World War II: The cargo ship was sunk in Russia Dock, Surrey Docks, London, United Kingdom during a Luftwaffe air raid.[49]
United Kingdom
World War II: The tanker (9,557 GRT, 1926) was shelled and sunk in the Indian Ocean (21°52′S67°20′E / 21.867°S 67.333°E / -21.867; 67.333) by Atlantis (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of four of her 40 crew. The survivors were made prisoners of war.[1][50]
Baronesa
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo steamer (8,663 GRT, 1918) was bombed and sunk by Luftwaffe aircraft in the Port of London, after sustaining a few days earlier an attack by German E-boats in the North Sea as part of convoy FS 271.
Royal Navy
World War II: The naval trawler (346 GRT, 1911) struck a mine and sank off the mouth of the Humber with the loss of four of her 15 crew.[51]
Harvest Moon
United Kingdom
World War II: The trawler (72 GRT, 1904) was sunk as a blockship at Richborough.[1]
John Baptish
United Kingdom
World War II: The trawler (290 GRT, 1918) struck a mine and sank south of the (United Kingdom) with the loss of 13 crew.[1][52][53]
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy SC 2: The cargo ship (2,434 GRT, 1919) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Barra, Outer Hebrides (56°37′N9°00′W / 56.617°N 9.000°W / 56.617; -9.000) by U-28 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of six of her 38 crew. Survivors were rescued by and armed merchant cruiser HMS Aurania (both Royal Navy).[1][54][55]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (5,046 GRT, 1914) was sunk bombed and set on fire whilst docked at London. She was declared a constructive total loss and subsequently sunk a blockship at Dover, Kent on 5 February 1941.[1][56]
World War II: The cargo ship (4,332 GRT, 1931) was bombed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) off the Skerryvore Lighthouse by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of two of her 30 crew. Survivors were rescued by a Royal Navytrawler.[1][58]
11 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 11 September 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (2,468 GRT, 1924) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by U-99 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 25 crew.[1][59][60]
Royal Navy
World War II: The naval trawler (209 GRT, 1918) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Montrose, Angus.[61]
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (4,611 GRT, 1919) struck a mine in the English Channel off Le Havre, Seine-Inférieure, France, and was beached. Wreck was scuttled in September 1944.[1][62]
Kriegsmarine
The tug (86 GRT, 1907) sank off the French coast.[63]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (4,678 GRT, 1930) was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean by U-28 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one crew member. She was declared a constructive total loss but was repaired and returned to service in 1941 as Empire Stour.[64]
World War II: The cargo ship (5,872 GRT, 1930) was shelled and sunk in the Indian Ocean south east of Madagascar (25°20′S52°17′E / 25.333°S 52.283°E / -25.333; 52.283) by Pinguin (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 24 of her 49 crew. The survivors were taken as prisoners of war.[1][66]
United Kingdom
World War II: The tanker (2,436 GRT, 1919) struck a mine in the Humber Estuary and sank south east of Spurn Head, Yorkshire with the loss of 12 of her 24 crew.[1][67]
Royal Navy
The tug (1,164 GRT, 1925) ran aground off Duncansby Head, Caithness and was declared a total loss.[1][68]
13 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 13 September 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Vichy France
World War II: The cargo ship (1,417 or 1,544 GRT, 1923) struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea west of San Pietro Island. Sardinia, Italy.[1][69]
Vichy France
World War II: The cargo ship (1,619 GRT) struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea west of Sardinia.[1]
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper (449 GRT, 1936) struck a mine and sank in the Skaggerak off .[1][70]
United Kingdom
World War II: The blockship (9,577 GRT, 1910) was under tow from ST Empire Henchman (United Kingdom) and (Royal Navy) when the tow parted. The ship was declared a derelict and was scuttled 7 nautical miles (13 km) south west of Skerryvore by (Royal Navy).[3][71]
Soviet Navy
World War II: The minesweeper struck a mine and sank in the Gulf of Finland.[15]
Kriegsmarine
The naval trawler, submarine chaser (510 GRT, 1938) ran aground in Hardangerfjord, Norway. She was taken in tow but sank the next day.[15]
14 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 14 September 1940
Ship
Country
Description
NM 11 Bøfjord
Kriegsmarine
The naval trawler (142 GRT, 1914) caught fire, exploded and sank at Kristiansund, Møre og Romsdal, Norway with the loss of four of her ten crew.[72]
France
World War II: The ocean liner (8,571 GRT, 1913) struck a mine, broke in two and sank in the Bay of Biscay south of La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime.[73][74]
World War II: : The cargo ship (4,343 GRT, 1906) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Hebrides, United Kingdom (56°50′N15°04′W / 56.833°N 15.067°W / 56.833; -15.067) by U-48 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of her 30 crew. Of the survivors, 23 were rescued by HMCS St. Laurent (Royal Canadian Navy).[76][77]
World War II: : The Shoreham-class sloop (1,060/1,515 t, 1933) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (56°45′N14°14′W / 56.750°N 14.233°W / 56.750; -14.233 by U-48 (Kriegsmarine). with the loss of 12 of her crew. Survivors were rescued by , , (Norway) and (Royal Navy)
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,319 GRT, 1921) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (56°43′N15°17′W / 56.717°N 15.283°W / 56.717; -15.283) by U-48 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of six of her 39 crew. Survivors were rescued by and (both Norway).[76][78][79]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (1,264 GRT, 1923) was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) east of Dunbar. East Lothian, United Kingdom with the loss of 17 crew.[76][80]
Norway
World War II: The cargo ship (4,950 GRT, 1924) straggled behind the convoy due to a cargo fire on 10 September. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 90 nautical miles (170 km) west of Rockall, Inverness-shire, United Kingdom (58°00′N12°20′W / 58.000°N 12.333°W / 58.000; -12.333) by U-65 (Kriegsmarine). All 30 crew were rescued by the trawler Thorolfur ( Iceland).[76][81][82]
Canada
World War II: : The cargo ship (1,780 GRT, 1926) straggled behind the convoy and was shelled and sunk 44 nautical miles (81 km) west of Rockall, Inverness-shire, United Kingdom by U-99 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of seven of her 20 crew. The survivors were rescued by HMS Amazon (Royal Navy) and HMCS St. Laurent (Royal Canadian Navy).[76][83][84]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo liner (5,548 GRT, 1917) was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off Montrose, Angus by Luftwaffe aircraft.[85]
World War II: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Cape Verde by a German auxiliary cruiser with the loss of all 39 crew. (Look 31/08/1940)[87]
The cargo ship (4,098 GRT, 1920) ran aground on Anticosti Island, Quebec, Canada and was wrecked.[89]
Norway
World War II: : The cargo ship (1,327 GRT, 1919) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) north east Rockall, Inverness-shire, United Kingdom. All 17 crew survived.[76][90]
Vichy France
World War II: The supply ship (4,185 GRT, 1921) was intercepted and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Dakar, French West Africa by HMS Cumberland (Royal Navy). All crew were rescued.[76]
Netherlands
World War II: The cargo ship (5,918 GRT, 1911) suffered an internal explosion and sank in the Caribbean Sea. Explosion probably caused by a bomb placed on board. 12 crew survived.[91]
World War II: The Turbine-class destroyer (1,073/1,670 t, 1927) hit two mines laid just outside the Benghazi harbor, Libya by Fairey Swordfish aircraft from 819 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, based on HMS Illustrious (Royal Navy), and sunk.[15]
World War II: The Turbine-class destroyer (1,073/1,670 t, 1927) was torpedoed and sunk in Benghazi harbor by Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 815 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, based on HMS Illustrious (Royal Navy).[76]
Spain
World War II: The cargo ship (3,309 GRT, 1921) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Oporto, Portugal by Alpino Bagnolini (Regia Marina). All crew were rescued by (Spain).[76][92]
World War II: : The cargo ship (2,372 GRT, 1938) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Rockall, Inverness-shire (58°02′N14°18′W / 58.033°N 14.300°W / 58.033; -14.300) by U-99 (Kriegsmarine). All 25 crew were rescued by HMS Winchelsea (Royal Navy).
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship (5,490 GRT, 1922), ex-Gloriastar, ex-Klipfontein launched in 1922, was bombed and sunk at Benghazi by Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 815 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm based on HMS Illustrious (Royal Navy).[15][76][93][94][95]
Norway
The cargo ship (1,356 GRT, 1919) ran aground in a gale at Petite-Vallée, Quebec, Canada. She was declared a total loss.[13]
Greece
World War II: The cargo ship (5,152 GRT, 1918) was bombed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) north east of Tory Island, Ireland, by aircraft of 1 Staffeln, KG40 and was abandoned. The wreck came ashore at Sheephaven Bay and broke in two. She was declared a total loss.[49][76][96]
Kriegsmarine
The M-classminesweeper struck the wreck of the blockship Jan Pieterszoon Coen (Netherlands) off IJmuiden, the Netherlands and sank. Raised in September, repaired and returned to service.[97]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship (4,702 GRT, 1928) was bombed and sunk at Benghazi by Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 815 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm based on HMS Illustrious (Royal Navy).[15][76][94]
HMS Sussex
Royal Navy
World War II: The County-class cruiser (9,750/13,315 t, 1929) was bombed and sunk at Glasgow, Renfrewshire with the loss of three crew. She was subsequently refloated, repaired and returned to service.[76]
World War II: : The passenger ship (11,081 GRT, 1936) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (56°48′N21°15′W / 56.800°N 21.250°W / 56.800; -21.250) by U-48 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 134 passengers and 121 crewmen of the 406 people on board. Survivors were rescued by HMS Anthony and HMS Hurricane (both Royal Navy).[76]
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (3,145 GRT, 1920) was bombed and sunk at Le Havre, Seine-Inférieure, France. Refloated in 1945 and scrapped.[100]
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship (1,626 GRT, 1927) was bombed and sunk in the English Channel off Cherbourg, Seine-Inférieure, France by Royal Air Force aircraft. Survivors were rescued by (Kriegsmarine).[9][76]
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,088 GRT, 1935) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (56°46′N21°15′W / 56.767°N 21.250°W / 56.767; -21.250) by U-48 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of two of her 39 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom) and HMS Hurricane (Royal Navy).[76][103]
World War II: The trawler (330 GRT, 1918) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 16 nautical miles (30 km) off Cape Villano by Guglielmo Marconi (Regia Marina). Only one crew member survived.[76][106][107]
World War II: The Type 35 torpedo boat (845/1,091 t, 1940) was bombed and sunk at Le Havre, France by Royal Air Force aircraft with the loss of nine of her 21 crew. She was later salvaged, repaired and returned to service.[76]
World War II: : The cargo ship (5,560 GRT, 1920) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 52 nautical miles (96 km) north of Rathlin Island, County Antrim, Northern Ireland (55°54′N7°24′W / 55.900°N 7.400°W / 55.900; -7.400) by U-138 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of eight of her 34 crew. The survivors were rescued by HMS Arabis (Royal Navy).[76][109][110]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The passenger ship (10,138 GRT, 1921) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north of County Donegal, Ireland (55°55′N8°20′W / 55.917°N 8.333°W / 55.917; -8.333) by U-138 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of three of the 350 people on board. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom) and the trawler Van Dyke (Belgium).[76][111]
World War II: The cargo ship (1,057 GRT, 1921) was bombed and sunk in the English Channel south west of the Isle of Portland, Dorset, United Kingdom by Luftwaffe aircraft. Only three crew survived.[76][115]
21 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 21 September 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 72: The cargo ship (3,668 GRT, 1929) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland by U-99 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 33 of her 34 crew. The survivor was rescued by U-99 and placed in a lifeboat from (United Kingdom). He was rescued by HMS Shikari (Royal Navy).[116][117]
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 72: The cargo ship (4,409 GRT, 1930) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Iceland (55°18′N22°21′W / 55.300°N 22.350°W / 55.300; -22.350) by U-48 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of seven of her 34 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom) and/or HMS Shikari (Royal Navy).[76][118][119]
The sailing ship (1,125 GRT, 1929) ran aground on the east coast of Nova Scotia and was wrecked.[124]
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 72: The tanker (9,154 GRT, 1938) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 480 nautical miles (890 km) west of Bloody Foreland, Ireland (55°40′N22°04′W / 55.667°N 22.067°W / 55.667; -22.067) by U-99 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 16 of her 33 crew. Survivors were rescued by and HMS Shikari (both Royal Navy).[76][125]
World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper (474 or 481 GRT, 1937) either struck two mines and sank off Penmarc'h, Finistère, France,[15] or was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) west of Hook of Holland, South Holland, Netherlands.[76]
Palestro
Regia Marina
World War II: The Palestro-class torpedo boat (875/1,076 t, 1921) was torpedoed and sunk in the Adriatic Sea west of Durazzo, Albania by HMS Osiris (Royal Navy). 72 crew were killed. There were 53 survivors.[130]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship (8,459 GRT, 1913) was torpedoed and sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Ischia, Campania by HMS Truant (Royal Navy).[76][131]
World War II: The Sperrbrecher was severely damaged by an aerial mine at Boulogne, Pas-de-Calais, France and was beached. She was later salvaged and put into service as a cargo ship.[15]
Germany
World War II: The captured Norwegian cargo ship (7,230 GRT, 1938) was torpedoed and sunk in the Gironde Estuary by HMS Tuna (Royal Navy) with the loss of 87 of the 292 people on board. These included survivors from , and (all United Kingdom).[76][136][137]
Union Jack
Faroe Islands
World War II: The trawler (81 GRT) was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) north west by north of the Isle of Lewis, United Kingdom (59°50′N7°40′W / 59.833°N 7.667°W / 59.833; -7.667 by U-31 (Kriegsmarine). All crew were rescued.[76]
World War II: The cargo ship (2,186 GRT, 1921) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) north west of Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands by HMS H49 (Royal Navy).[76]
World War II: Battle of Dakar: The destroyer (2,528/3,363 t, 1935) was shelled and damaged by HMAS Australia (Royal Australian Navy) in the Atlantic Ocean off Dakar, French West Africa and was beached.[76]
World War II: Battle of Dakar: The Redoutable-classsubmarine was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Dakar by HMS Dragon, HMS Foresight, and HMS Inglefield (all Royal Navy). One crew was killed.[76][140]
Netherlands
World War II: The tanker was torpedoed by (Kriegsmarine). She sank on 25 September. (Look 23/12/1940)[141]
Vichy France
World War II: Battle of Dakar: The cargo ship (5,905 GRT, 1926) was shelled and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean off Dakar by a British warship with the loss of six of her 30 crew. She was beached.[76][142][143]
24 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 24 September 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Ajax
Vichy French Navy
World War II: Battle of Dakar: The Redoutable-classsubmarine (1,547/2,049 t, 1934) was bombed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Dakar, French West Africa, by aircraft based on HMS Ark Royal (Royal Navy). All 61 crew were rescued by HMS Fortune (Royal Navy).[76]
Bass Rock
United Kingdom
World War II: The trawler (169 GRT, 1907) was bombed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 23 nautical miles (43 km) south by west of Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of four crew.[76][144]
World War II: The Black Prince-class ship of the line (1,746 bm, 1815) was bombed and sunk in the River Thames during a Luftwaffe air raid.[146]
Royal Navy
World War II: The naval trawler (356 GRT, 1930) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Harwich, Essex with the loss of 15 crew.[76]
Royal Navy
World War II: The BPB 60-foot type motor torpedo boat struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) north east of North Foreland, Kent.[76][147]
World War II: The cargo ship (6,223 GRT, 1924) was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (53°34′N20°23′W / 53.567°N 20.383°W / 53.567; -20.383) by U-29 (Kriegsmarine). She sank two days later with the loss of 29 of the 93 people on board. The survivors were rescued by HMCS Ottawa (Royal Canadian Navy) and (Royal Navy).[76][149][150][151]
World War II: Battle of Dakar: The Revenge-classbattleship was torpedoed and severely damaged by Bévéziers (Vichy French Navy). Repairs took until February 1942 to complete.
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship (569 GRT) struck a mine and sank in the Adriatic Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) off Brindisi, Apulia.[154]
Royal Navy
World War II: The anti-submarine trawler (404 GRT, 1934) was bombed and sunk at Gibraltar by Vichy French Air Force aircraft with the loss of 12 crew. The survivors were rescued by (Royal Navy).[76]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (5,802 GRT, 1929) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (53°43′N20°10′W / 53.717°N 20.167°W / 53.717; -20.167) by U-43) (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of her 57 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMCS Ottawa (Royal Canadian Navy).[149][150][155][156]
Royal Navy
The naval trawler (79 GRT, 1910) foundered in the North Sea east of the Shetland Islands.[157]
26 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 26 September 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Norway
World War II: The cargo ship (1,308 GRT, 1924) straggled behind the convoy. She was either torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Hebrides, United Kingdom (56°34′N9°10′W / 56.567°N 9.167°W / 56.567; -9.167) by U-137 (Kriegsmarine),[76][158] or was bombed and sunk at that position by a Focke-Wulf Fw 200 aircraft of the Luftwaffe. All 17 crew were lost.[159]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (4,917 GRT, 1935) was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean (55°10′N11°00′W / 55.167°N 11.000°W / 55.167; -11.000) by U-137 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 16 of the 67 people on board. The survivors abandoned ship, but reboarded her at daybreak. They were later rescued by (Royal Navy). The drifting Ashantian was boarded by personnel from (Royal Navy) and anchored off the coast of Ireland (54°21′N9°46′W / 54.350°N 9.767°W / 54.350; -9.767). She was later taken in tow by and (both Royal Navy) and beached in . Refloated in May 1941, repaired and returned to service in September 1941.[160]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (862 GRT, 1916) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland by U-46 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 16 crew.[76][161][162]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (6,863 GRT, 1920) was torpedoed and severely damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 600 nautical miles (1,100 km) west of , County Mayo, Ireland (53°49′N24°19′W / 53.817°N 24.317°W / 53.817; -24.317) by U-32 (Kriegsmarine) She was torpedoed, shelled and sunk by U-37 (Kriegsmarine) on 28 September. All 50 crew were rescued by (Sweden).[76][163][164]
World War II: : The cargo ship (6,042 GRT, 1918) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north of County Mayo, Ireland (54°53′N10°22′W / 54.883°N 10.367°W / 54.883; -10.367) by U-137 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 58 of her 62 crew. survivors were rescued by the hospital ship (Free French Naval Forces).[76][168][169][170]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (8,043 GRT, 1918) was bombed and damaged in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) north east of PeterheadAberdeenshire by Luftwaffe aircraft. She sank the next day 7 nautical miles (13 km) west of Rattray Head, Aberdeenshire with the loss of 16 crew. Survivors were rescued by (Royal Navy).[76][171]
Sweden
World War II: The cargo ship (3,058 GRT, 1920) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 350 nautical miles (650 km) south west of Ireland by U-46 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of nine of her 27 crew.[172][173]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The tanker (4,753 GRT, 1913) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of County Donegal, Ireland (54°50′N10°40′W / 54.833°N 10.667°W / 54.833; -10.667) by U-137 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of two of her 34 crew. Survivors were rescued by and (both Royal Navy).[174]
World War II: The cargo ship (1,155 GRT, 1904) struck a mine in the English Channel between Lizard Point and Fowey, Cornwall, United Kingdom with the loss of all 17 crew.[76][177]
World War II: The cargo ship (4,319 GRT, 1925) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km) west of Ireland by U-31 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of her 29 crew.[180][181]
World War II: The cargo ship (4,291 GRT, 1913) struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) off Cagliari, Sicily, Italy with the loss of four crew.[185]
Royal Navy
World War II: The naval trawler (344 GRT, 1938) struck a mine and sank in the English Channel off Bridport, Dorset with the loss of 25 crew.[76][186]
Germany
World War II: The tanker (517 GRT, 1927) was bombed and sunk in the Scheldt by Royal Air Force aircraft.[76]
29 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 29 September 1940
Ship
Country
Description
Netherlands
World War II: The coaster (398 GRT, 1939) struck a mine and sank in the Firth of Forth. Only three crew survived.[76][187]
World War II: The Adua-class submarine (686/843 t, 1938) was depth charged and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Alexandria, Egypt (31°33′N28°33′E / 31.550°N 28.550°E / 31.550; 28.550) by HMAS Stuart (Royal Australian Navy) and a Short Sunderlandflying boat of the Royal Air Force based at . All on board, 4 Frogmen, who were to pilot manned torpedoes, and 43 crewmen, were rescued by (Royal Navy) and HMAS Stuart.[193]
Netherlands
World War II: : The cargo ship (3,278 GRT, 1924) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed, shelled and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (53°34′N27°28′W / 53.567°N 27.467°W / 53.567; -27.467) by U-32 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of four of her 31 crew. The survivors abandoned the ship, which was shelled and sunk in the early hours of 1 October by U-32.[194][195][196]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship (2,499 GRT, 1919) straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (53°26′N18°33′W / 53.433°N 18.550°W / 53.433; -18.550) by U-37 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of her 26 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom).[76][197][198]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (5,390 GRT, 1928) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (approximately 53°N18°W / 53°N 18°W / 53; -18) by U-37 (Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 68 people on board.[76][199]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date in September 1940
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The hulk (1,663 GRT, 1877) was rammed and sunk at San Pedro, Los Angeles, California by a Japanese ship.[200]
Respondo
United Kingdom
World War II: The trawler (209 GRT, 1905) left Milford Haven on 11 September for the fishing grounds with a crew of 11 men and was never seen again, being lost with all hands. She might have been sunk by German aircraft in the next days. [201]
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