List of shipwrecks in April 1940

The list of shipwrecks in April 1940 includes all ships sunk, foundered, grounded, or otherwise lost during April 1940. Most of the ships listed here were lost in connection with World War II.

Contents 1 1 April 2 2 April 3 3 April 4 4 April 5 5 April 6 6 April 7 7 April 8 8 April 9 9 April 10 10 April 11 11 April 12 12 April 13 13 April 14 14 April 15 15 April 16 16 April 17 17 April 18 18 April 19 19 April 20 20 April 21 21 April 22 22 April 23 23 April 24 24 April 25 25 April 26 26 April 27 27 April 28 28 April 29 29 April 30 30 April 31 Unknown date 32 References

1 April

• Cerigo ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled at Guayaquil, Ecuador.^[1]

2 April

• Signe ( Finland): World War II: Convoy HN 23A: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea east of the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom by U-38 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all nineteen crew.^[2]

3 April

• Gorspen ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and severely damaged in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) east by south of Muckle Flugga, Shetland Islands by a Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe and was abandoned by her crew. The Luftwaffe claimed she was sunk.^[3]
• Sansonnet ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 18 nautical miles (33 km) east by south of Muckle Flugga by a Luftwaffe aircraft.^[3]

4 April

No ships were lost on this day.

5 April

• Bjornhaug ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground at Fife Ness, Fife, United Kingdom and was wrecked.^[4]

6 April

• Esso Belgium ( Belgium): The tanker ran aground in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) off Nieuwpoort, West Flanders.^[5]
• Leonora ( United Kingdom): The trawler sank in the North Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) east of Scarborough, Yorkshire.^[6]
• Navarra ( Norway): World War II: Convoy HN 10B: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (approximately () by U-59 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of twelve of the 26 people on board.^[3][7][8]
• U-1 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The Type IIA submarine reported by radio from the North Sea. No further trace
• U-50 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The Type VIIB submarine struck a mine in the North Sea north of Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands and sank with the loss of all 44 crew.

7 April

• Curityba ( Germany): The cargo ship ran aground at Kullen, Sweden.^[9]

8 April

• HMS Glowworm ( Royal Navy): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The G-class destroyer was shelled and sunk in the Norwegian Sea north west of Trondheim, Norway by Admiral Hipper ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 115 of her 149 crew.
• Okeania ( Greece): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea () with the loss of one crew member. The survivors were rescued by HMS Boadicea ( Royal Navy) and Beverland ( Netherlands).^[10]
• Rio de Janeiro ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk off Lillesand, Norway () by Orzeł ( Marynarka Wojenna Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej) with the loss of about 200 of the 380 people on board. Survivors were rescued by HNoMS Gyller and HNoMS Odin (both  Royal Norwegian Navy) and various fishing boats.^[10]
• Posidonia ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The naval tanker was torpedoed and sunk on her maiden voyage off Stavern, Norway () by HMS Trident ( Royal Navy). She was salvaged in June 1940, repaired and re-entered service as Stedingen.^[10][11]

9 April

• HNoMS A-2 ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The A-class submarine was attacked by R-22 and R-23 ( Kriegsmarine) in Oslofjord off Tønsberg and was damaged beyond repair.

• Æger ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The Sleipner-class destroyer was bombed and sunk off Stavanger by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of eight of her 75 crew.
• Albatros ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Invasion of Norway: The [[German torpedoboats of World War II#Raubvogel (1923) and Raubtier (1924)|Raubvogel-class]] torpedo boat was sunk.^[12]
• Amasis ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk off Måseskär, Sweden () by HMS Sunfish ( Royal Navy). All 51 crew were rescued.^[10][11][13]
• Blücher ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The Admiral Hipper-class cruiser was sunk in Oslofjord, Norway by Norwegian coastal artillery and shore-based torpedoes with the loss of around 1,000 of her 1,382 crew.
• Bockenheim ( Nazi Germany): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The cargo ship was scuttled off Narvik, Norway by her crew who mistakenly believed that the German destroyers attacking Narvik were British.^[11]
• Dagny ( Sweden): World War II: The fishing vessel struck a mine and sank north of Hantsholm, Norway with the loss of six crew.^[10]
• HNoMS Eidsvold ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: First battle of Narvik: The Eidsvold-class coastal defence ship was torpedoed off Narvik by Wilhelm Heidkamp ( Kriegsmarine) and sunk with the loss of 175 of her 181 crew.
• HMS Gurkha ( Royal Navy): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The Tribal-class destroyer was bombed and sunk in the North Sea south east of Bergen, Norway by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of 15 of her 219 crew.
• Karlsruhe ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The K-class cruiser was torpedoed in the Skagerrak near Kristiansand, Norway HMS Truant ( Royal Navy) and severely damaged. She was subsequently scuttled by Greif ( Kriegsmarine).
• Kattegat ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The naval tanker was scuttled in Glomfjord, Ørnes, Norway whilst under attack from HNoMS Nordkapp ( Royal Norwegian Navy.^[11]
• Main ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The supply ship was captured in the North Sea, off Haugesund, Norway by HNoMS Draug. She was later bombed and severely damaged by Luftwaffe aircraft and was scuttled by HNoMS Draug.^[10][11]
• HNoMS Norge ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The Eidsvold-class coastal defence ship was torpedoed and sunk off Narvik by Bernd von Arnim ( Kriegsmarine with the loss of 101 of her 191 crew.
• R 17 ( Kriegsmarine): World War III: The R boat was shelled and sunk off Horten, Norway by HNoMS Rauma and HNoMS Olav Tryggvason (both  Royal Norwegian Navy).

• Roda ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The supply ship was captured off Stavanger, Norway by HNoMS Æger and sunk.^[11]
• Sao Paulo ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The supply ship struck a mine off Bergen, Norway () and sank.^[10]
• Seattle ( Germany): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The cargo liner was sunk off Kristiansand, Norway by Norwegian coastal artillery.^[10][11].
• Sørland ( Norway): World War II: Battle of Drøbak Sound: The cutter was shelled and set on fire in Oslofjord by R-18 and R-19 and was beached. She was a total loss.^[14]
• HNoMS Tor ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The Sleipner-class destroyer was scuttled off Fredrikstad to avoid capture by German forces. She was salvaged by the Germans, repaired and entered service as Tiger. She survived the war and was taken back into Royal Norwegian Navy service as Tor in 1945.

10 April

• Aachen ( Germany): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik,Norway in a battle between British and German destroyers.^[11]
• Albatros ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The Raubvogel-class torpedo boat ran aground in Oslofjord, Norway whilst engaged in a battle with the Oscarsborg Fortress and was wrecked.
• Altona ( Germany): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, in a battle between British and German destroyers.^[11]
• Antares ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Skaggerak off Lysekil, Sweden () by HMS Sunfish ( Royal Navy).^[10][11]
• Anton Schmitt ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The Type 1936-class destroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, Norway by HMS Hunter ( Royal Navy).
• Blythmoor ( United Kingdom): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, Norway, in a battle between British and German destroyers.^[11]
• Boden ( Sweden): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, in a battle between British and German destroyers.^[11]
• Saphir ( Norway): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, in a battle between British and German destroyers.^[11]
• Elrid ( Norway): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The cargo ship was sunk off in the Norwegian Sea Narvik, in a battle between British and German destroyers.^[10][11]
• Friedenau ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Skaggerak off the Pater Noster Lighthouse, Sweden by HMS Triton ( Royal Navy).^[11]
• Frielinghaus ( Germany): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, in a battle between British and German destroyers.^[11]
• HMS Hardy ( Royal Navy): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The H-class destroyer was shelled, damaged and beached in Ofotfjord, Norway. She subsequently capsized and sank with the loss of 36 of her 175 crew.
• Hein Hoyer ( Germany): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, in a battle between British and German destroyers.^[11]
• HMS Hunter ( Royal Navy): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The H-class destroyer was shelled, damaged and ran aground in Ofotfjord, Norway. She was then rammed by HMS Hotspur ( Royal Navy and sunk with the loss of 122 of her 166 crew.
• Ines ( Sweden): World War II: The fishing vessel struck a mine and sunk in the Skaggerak north west of Hantsholm, Norway with the loss of all six crew.^[10]
• Königsberg ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The K-class cruiser was bombed and sunk at Bergen, Norway by Blackburn Skua of 800 and 803 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm.
• Martha Heindrik Fisser ( Germany): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, in a battle between British and German destroyers.^[11]
• Muansa ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sunk in Oslofjord.^[10]
• Neuenfels ( Germany): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, in a battle between British and German destroyers.^[11]
• Planet ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled beneath Jan Wellem ( Kriegsmarine) to protect the latter against torpedoes; this occurred off Narvik, Norway.
• Rauenfels ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The supply ship was shelled and sunk in Ofotfjord, near Narvik , Norway by HMS Havock and HMS Hostile (both  Royal Navy).^[11]
• Romansby ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea at Narvik, Norway.^[15]
• Stråssa ( Sweden): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, in a battle between British and German destroyers.^[11]
• Sveaborg ( Sweden): World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Faroe Islands () by U-37 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of her 34 crew.^[10][16]
• HMS Tarpon ( Royal Navy): World War II: The T-class submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Skagerrak by Schürbek ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 59 crew.
• Thistle ( Royal Navy): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The T-class submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Norway by U-4 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 59 crew.
• Tosca ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Faroe Islands () by U-37 ( Kriegsmarine with the loss of two of her 34 crew.^[10][17][18]
• V-705 ( German Navy): World War II: The vorpostenboot was torpedoed and sunk.^[19]
• V-1507 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The vorpostenboot was torpedoed and sunk in the Skagerrak off the Pater Noster Lighthouse by HMS Triton ( Royal Navy).^[11]
• Wigbert ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Skagerrak off the Pater Noster Lighthouse by HMS Triton ( Royal Navy).^[11]
• Wilhelm Heidkamp ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The Type 1936-class destroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, Norway by HMS Hardy ( Royal Navy).

11 April

• August Leonhardt ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Skagerrak () by HMS Sealion( Royal Navy).^[10][11]
• Cremon ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The vorpostenboot struck a mine in the North Sea off Bergen, Norway and sank.
• Ionia ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Baltic Sea off Larvik, Norway () by HMS Triad( Royal Navy).^[10][11]
• Koblenz ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The auxiliary cruiser struck a mine off Bergen, Norway and sank.^[11]
• Vp-105 ( German Navy): World War II: The vorposten boat struck a mine and sank.^[20]

12 April

• Chasseur 107 ( Marine Nationale): The submarine chaser collided with Shelspra ( France) in the Loire and sank.^[10]
• Moonsund ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The naval tanker was intercepted in the Skagerrak off Larvik, Norway by HMS Snapper ( Royal Navy) and was shelled and sunk.^[11]
• Stancliffe ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea north east of the Shetland Islands by U-37 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 22 of her 38 crew.^[21]
• HNoMS Storm ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The torpedo boat was attacked by Luftwaffe aircraft in the North Sea south of Bømlo and was run aground, a total loss.^[10]
• Velocitas ( Netherlands): World War II: The coaster struck a mine and sank in the North Sea east of Margate, Kent, United Kingdom () with the loss of three of her five crew. The survivors were rescued by Mavis ( United Kingdom).^[10][22]

13 April

• Bernd von Arnim ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The Type 1934A-class destroyer was scuttled in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, Norway.
• Cate B ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik in a battle between British and German warships.
• Diether von Roeder ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The Type 1936-class destroyer was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik by Warspite ( Royal Navy) and other Royal Navy destroyers.
• Erich Giese ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The Type 1934A-class destroyer was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik by Warspite ( Royal Navy) and other Royal Navy destroyers.
• Erich Koellner ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The Type 1934A-class destroyer was shelled and damaged in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik by Warspite ( Royal Navy) and other Royal Navy destroyers. She was subsequently scuttled. Thirty-one of her 186 crew were killed.
• HNoMS Frøya ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: Norwegian Campaign: The minelayer was scuttled in Trondheimsfjord, then torpedoed and destroyed by U-34 ( Kriegsmarine)
• Gazelle ( Germany): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The trawler was sunk by enemy action.^[10]
• Georg Thiele ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The Type 1934-class destroyer was scuttled in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik.
• Hans Lüdemann ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The Type 1936-class destroyer was scuttled in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik.
• Hermann Künne ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The Type 1936-class destroyer was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik by HMS Eskimo ( Royal Navy).
• Jan Wellem ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The Fleet tanker was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik in a battle between British and German warships.^[11]
• Öxelösund ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik in a battle between British and German warships.^[11]
• Rødskjæl ( Norway): World War II: The tanker was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik in a battle between British and German warships.^[11]
• Styrbjörn ( Sweden): World War II: The tug was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik in a battle between British and German warships.
• Torne ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik in a battle between British and German warships.^[11]
• U-64 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The Type IXB submarine was bombed and sunk in Herjansfjorden off Bjerkvik, Norway, by a Fairey Swordfish aircraft from HMS Warspite ( Royal Navy) with the loss of eight of her 46 crew.
• Wolfgang Zenker ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The Type 1934A-class destroyer was scuttled in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik.

14 April

• Bärenfels ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The supply ship was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Bergen, Norway by Blackburn Skua aircraft of 800 and 803 Naval Air Squadrons, Fleet Air Arm.
• Disperser ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship sank in the North Sea off Kirkwall, Orkney Islands.^[23]
• Florida ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Orust, Sweden () by HMS Snapper ( Royal Navy).^[10][11]
• Nyborg ( Denmark): World War II: The ferry struck a mine and sank in the Kattegat off Sprogø.^[24]
• Oldenburg ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The U-boat support ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Skagerrak () by HMS Sunfish ( Royal Navy).^[10][11]
• Ölschiff 3 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The tanker was intercepted in the Arctic Ocean north west of Vågsøy, Norway and was scuttled by her crew.^[25]
• Skagerrak ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The naval tanker was intercepted in the Norwegian Sea north west of Vågsøy () by HMS Suffolk ( Royal Navy) and was scuttled.^[10][11]
• HNoMS Teist ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The 2.-class torpedo boat was scuttled in the Skagerrak off Herad to prevent capture by German forces.

15 April

• Bernisse ( Netherlands): World War II: The cargo ship was captured by the Kriegsmarine in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, Norway and scuttled .^[26]
• Brummer ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The auxiliary gunnery training ship was torpedoed and severely damaged in the Kattegat by Sterlet ( Royal Navy). She capsized and sank the next day
• Carsten Janssen ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The minesweeper was torpedoed and sunk in the Kattegat () by HMS Snapper ( Royal Navy).^[11][26][27]
• H M Behrens ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The minesweeper was torpedoed and sunk in the Kattegat () by HMS Snapper ( Royal Navy).^[11][26][28]
• Mersington Court ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was captured in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik by German forces and was scuttled.
• North Cornwall ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was captured in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik by German forces and was scuttled.
• U-49 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The Type VIIB submarine was shelled and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Harstad, Norway by Brazen and Fearless (both  Royal Navy).
• Vp-811 ( Kriegsmarine): The vorpostenboot sank in the North Sea. She was later salvaged, repaired and returned to service.^[26]

16 April

• HNoMS A-3 ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The A-class submarine was scuttled in the Skaggerak off Verkbukta, Tønsberg to prevent capture by German forces.
• HNoMS A-4 ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The A-class submarine was scuttled in the Skagerrak off Verkbukta to prevent capture by German forces.
• Mertainen ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Trondheimsfjord, Norway by Luftwaffe aircraft.^[26][29]
• U-1 ( German Navy): World War II: The Type IIA submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea with the loss of all 24 crew.^[30]
• V-1703 ( German Navy): World War II: The vorpostenboot was torpedoed and sunk by HMS Narwhal ( Royal Navy). She was later repaired and returned to service.^[31]

17 April

• Afrika ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship, which had been captured by the torpedo boat HNoMS Stegg ( Royal Norwegian Navy) on 9 April, was scuttled in Hardangerfjord off Ulvik, Norway during a German attempt at recapture.^[11][26]
• HNoMS Grib ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The 2.-class torpedo boat was scuttled south of Lyngør to prevent capture by German forces.
• HNoMS Jo ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The 2.-class torpedo boat was scuttled south of Lyngør to prevent capture by German forces.
• Juanita ( United Kingdom): World War II: The tanker was scuttled as a blockship at Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands.^[32]
• Ravn ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The 2.-class torpedo boat was scuttled south of Lyngør to prevent capture by German forces.
• Swainby ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) north east of Muckle Flugga, Shetland Islands () by U-13 ( Kriegsmarine). All 38 crew were rescued.^[26][33]

18 April

• Hamm ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The troopship was torpedoed and damaged in the Skagerrak south east of Skagen, Denmark () by HMS Seawolf ( Royal Navy). She sank in the early hours of the next day.^[26]
• HNoMS Sæl ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: TheNorwegian Campaign: The 1.-class torpedo boat was sunk in Hardangerfjord during a battle with three E-boats ( Kriegsmarine).
• HMS Sterlet ( Royal Navy): Worl War II: The S-class submarine was sunk in the Skagerrak south of Larvik, Norway.

19 April

• Jaunjelgava ( Latvia): The cargo ship collided with another ship in the Baltic Sea and sank.^[34]

20 April

• Hawnby ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the north coast of Kent (). All 39 crew were rescued by MTB-4 ( Royal Navy).^[26][35][36]
• Mersey ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in The Downs, Kent () with the loss of fourteen of her 21 crew.^[26][35][37]
• HMS Rutlandshire ( Royal Navy): World War II: The ASW trawler was bombed and sunk in the Namsenfjorden off Namsos, Norway by Luftwaffe aircraft.
• HNoMS Smart ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The auxiliary patrol vessel was shelled and sunk at Uskedal by Bremse ( Kriegsmarine).^[26]
• HNoMS Stegg ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: Norwegian Campaign: The Trygg-class torpedo boat was sunk in Hardangerfjord by Bremse ( Kriegsmarine).^[26]

21 April

• Bravore ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine in The Downs, Kent, United Kingdom and sank with the loss of eighteen of her 24 crew.^[38]
• Cedarbank ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Norway ( by U-26 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all fifteen crew.^[26][39]
• Hercules II ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea by Luftwaffe aircraft.^[26]
• Jurgen Fritzen ( Germany): The cargo ship ran aground and sunk in the Kattegat off Landsort, Sweden.^[40]
• Penn ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea by Luftwaffe aircraft.^[26]

22 April

• Bep ( Netherlands): World War II: The fishing vessel was sunk in the North Sea of Terschelling, Friesland by an S-boat. The crew were rescued.^[41]
• Bravore ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Ramsgate, Kent, United Kingdom with the loss of eighteen of the 24 people on board.^[38][41][42]
• Sigurd Jarl ( Norway): The cargo ship was bombed and set on fire in Moldefjord by Luftwaffe aircraft. She sank the next day.^[41]
• Wocana ( Netherlands): World War II The skoot was intecepted by, and collided with, HMS Pintail ( Royal Navy) in the North Sea off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and sank.^[41]

23 April

• Daghestan ( United Kingdom): World War II: The CAM ship/tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea east of the Orkney Islands by U-57 ( Kriegsmarine with the loss of three crew.^[43]
• Lolworth ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea east of Ramsgate, Kent with the loss of two of her 24 crew.^[26][44][45]
• Sayn ( Nazi Germany): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Wadden Sea off Borkum, Lower Saxony.^[11]
• Schwaben ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The minesweeper either struck a mine in the Kattegat and sank,^[11] or was torpedoed and sunk by HMS Narwhal ( Royal Navy).^[46]
• UJ B ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The auxiliary submarine hunter was torpedoed and sunk in the Skagerrak () by HMS Tetrarch ( Royal Navy). There were only three survivors.^[11][41]

24 April

• Cronshagen ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine off Copenhagen, Denmark and sank.^[11]
• Girasol ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship collided with Contractor ( United Kingdom) in the North Sea north of Margate, Kent and sank. All eleven crew were rescued by Richard ( Belgium.^[47][48]
• Haxby ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Caribbean Sea north east of the Dominican Republic () by Orion ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 17 of her 40 crew.^[41][49]
• Riverton ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Norwegian Sea at Narvik, Norway by HMS Effingham ( Royal Navy).^[41]
• Rydal Force ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Ramsgate, Kent with the loss of eleven of her thirteen crew. The survivors were rescued by HMT Sarah Hide ( Royal Navy).^[26][50]
• Sayn ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Wadden Sea off Delfzijl, Groningen, Netherlands.^[51]
• Stokesley ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary north of Birchington, Kent () with the loss off fifteen crew.^[41][52]

25 April

• Bobby ( Panama): The cargo ship collided with Midsland ( Netherlands) in the English Channel, 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east of Dungeness, Kent, United Kingdom and sank. All 28 crew were rescued by Midsland.^[5][53]
• HMT Bradman ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off the west coast of Norway by Luftwaffe aircraft.^[54]
• Brand IV ( Norway): World War II: The hospital ship was bombed in the Norwegian Sea off Ålesund by Luftwaffe aircraft and ran aground.^[55]
• HMT Hammond ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off the west coast of Norway by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was salvaged by the Germans in 1942, repaired and entered Kriegsmarine service as Salier in 1945.^[56]
• Margham Abbey ( United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy FS 53: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary north of Herne Bay, Kent. All crew were rescued.^[26][57]
• San Miguel ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled in the North Sea off Ulvik by Norwegian troops during a German attempt at capture.^[58]
• HNoMS Trygg ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: Battle of Åndalsnes: The Trygg-class torpedo boat was bombed and sunk in the Romsdalsfjord off Åndalsnes by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was salvaged by the Germans, repaired and entered Kriegsmarine service as Zick.
• Willy ( Netherlands): World War II: The fishing vessel struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Terschelling, Friesland with the loss of all hands.^[41]

26 April

• HMT Cape Siretoko ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off the west coast of Norway by Luftwaffe aircraft.^[59]
• HNoMS Garm ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The Draug-class destroyer was bombed and sunk in Sognefjord by Luftwaffe aircraft.
• Lily ( Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Kinlochbervie, Sutherland, United Kingdom by U-13 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 24 crew.^[60]

27 April

• Athelstan ( United Kingdom): The trawler was last seen by Claire at . No further trace, lost with all nine crew.^[61]
• Nyhaug ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Lepsoy by Luftwaffe aircraft.^[41]
• Thornhill ( United Kingdom): The coaster collided with Circe ( France) in the English Channel off Start Point, Devon and sank with the loss of one crew member.^[62][63]

28 April

No ships were lost on this day.

29 April

• Begonia ( Estonia): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and damaged in Aurlandsfjord off Flåm, Norway by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was scuttled by the Norwegian military.^[41]
• HMT Cape Chelyuskin ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and in the Norwegian Sea sunk off Trondheim, Norway by Luftwaffe aircraft.^[64][65]
• HMT Jardine ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and damaged in the Norwegian Sea off Trondheim, Norway by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was judged to be unfit to cross the North Sea and was scuttled by the Royal Navy the next day. She was later salvaged by the Germans and entered service as V-6117.^[41][64][65]
• Ørland ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Midsund by Luftwaffe aircraft..^[66]
• Unity ( Royal Navy): The U-class submarine collided with Atle Jarl ( Norway) off the mouth of the Tyne () and sank with the loss of two of her 27 crew.
• Whitetoft ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground at Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire and was wrecked.^[67]

30 April

• HMT Aston Villa ( Royal Navy): World War II: Namsos Campaign: The ASW trawler was bombed and damaged in the Norwegian Sea off Namsos, Norway, by Junkers Ju 87 aircraft of the Luftwaffe. She was scuttled on 3 May.^[68][69]
• Athelstan ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea by Luftwaffe aircraft.^[41]
• Bittern ( Royal Navy): World War II: Namsos Campaign: The Bittern-class sloop was bombed and damaged in the Norwegian Sea off Namsos by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was subsequently scuttled by HMS Carlisle ( Royal Navy).
• RFA Boardale ( Royal Fleet Auxiliary): World War II: The tanker ran aground off Straume, Nordland, Norway (). She sank on 2 May.^[41]
• Dunoon ( Royal Navy): World War II: The Hunt-class minesweeper struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk () with the loss of 26 of her 73 crew.^[41]
• HMT Gaul ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and damaged in the Norwegian Sea off Namsos by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was scuttled on 3 May.^[69]
• Leopard ( Kriegsmarine): The 1924 Raubtier-class torpedoboat collided with Kaiser in the Skagerrak and sank.
• Maillé Brézé ( Marine Nationale): The Vauquelin-class destroyer was sunk at Greenock, Renfrewshire, United Kingdom by the accidental explosion of two of its own torpedoes with the loss of 25 of her 220 crew.
• HMT St Goran ( Royal Navy): World War II: Namsos Campaign: The ASW trawler was bombed and severely damaged off Namson by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was subsequently scuttled by HMS Angle ( Royal Navy).^[69]
• HMT Warwickshire ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Trondheim, Norway by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was salvaged by the Germans and entered Kriegsmarine service as Alame.^[41][64][70]

Unknown date

• Ruhrort ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was captured in the Norwegian Sea off Vemøya, Møre og Romsdal, Norway on 12 April by HNoMS Commonwealth HNoMS Sleipner, and HNoMS Trygg (all  Royal Norwegian Navy). She was later abandoned and thereafter sunk by Luftwaffe aircraft.
• Wilhelm Reinhold ( Norway): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the Skaggerak by Luftwaffe aircraft.^[10]

References

Ship events in 1940
Ship launches:	1935	1936	1937	1938	1939	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944	1945
Ship commissionings:	1935	1936	1937	1938	1939	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944	1945
Ship decommissionings:	1935	1936	1937	1938	1939	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944	1945
Shipwrecks:	1935	1936	1937	1938	1939	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944	1945

Shipwrecks 1939-45, by month 1939 Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec · Unknown date 1940 Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec · Unknown date 1941 Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec · Unknown date 1942 Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec · Unknown date 1943 Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec · Unknown date 1944 Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec · Unknown date 1945 Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec · Unknown date