List of shipwrecks in 1969
The list of shipwrecks in 1969 includes ships sunk, foundered, grounded, or otherwise lost during 1969.
January
5 January
- Bolivar (
Japan): The ore carrier broke in two and sank 170 nautical miles (310 km) off Cape Nojima, Japan with the loss of 31 of her 33 crew.[1]
12 January
- Carmania (
United Kingdom): The ocean liner ran aground off the Bahamas.[2] The passengers were transferred to Flavia (
Italy) and landed at Miami, Florida. Carmania was refloated on 17 January.[3] - President Jefferson (
United States): The cargo ship ran aground at 10°20′N 107°10′E / 10.333°N 107.167°E. Refloated on 18 January with assistance from USS YLLC-5 ( United States Navy).[4]
February
6 February
- USS ATC-132-1 ( United States Navy): The armoured troop carrier capsized off Vietnam. Salvaged by USS YLLC-5 and floating crane YD-220 and refloated the next day.[4]
9 February
- London II (
Greece): Foundered off Moni, Cyprus.[5]
10 February
- Lukia M ( Greece): The cargo ship sprang a leak off Barren Island in the South China Sea (29°29′N 124°16′E / 29.483°N 124.267°E) and was abandoned. She was towed to Shanghai and seized by the Chinese Government.
11 February
- USS PTC-71 ( United States Navy): The Torpedo Patrol Boat was sunk by an enemy missile near Mui Boi Bung, Vietnam. Salvaged the next day and towed to Vung Tau by USS Pivot ( United States Navy).[4]
24 February
- Sevilla (
West Germany): The cargo ship sank in the Elbe following a collision with Nette Skou (
Denmark). All fifteen crew rescued by a West German fireboat.[6]
March
11 March
- Shun Tai (
Somalia): The cargo ship collided in the Singapore Strait 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south of Singapore with World Carrier 3 (flag unknown) and sank.[7]
19 March
- Garden City (
Liberia): The cargo ship sank after colliding with Zagłębie Dąbrowskie (.svg.png)
Poland) in foggy weather off Margate, Kent.[8][9]
Unknown date
- Poseidon (
Panama): Ran aground off the Italian coast. Repairs uneconomic and subsequently scrapped. - Irene ( Liberia): The cargo ship ran aground off South Ronaldsay, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom.[10]
- Miss Kay (
South Vietnam): The tug foundered off the mouth of the Soi Rap River. Refloated on 21 March.[4] - USS M 111-1 ( United States Navy): The Landing Craft Mechanized capsized off South Vietnam. Salvaged on 19 April and towed to Nha Be by USS YLLC-5 ( United States Navy) the next day.[4]
April
6 April
- SS Union Faith (
Republic of China): The freighter was in collision with oil barges on the Mississippi. The ship was engulfed in flames and sank, with the loss of 25 persons, including all on the bridge[11]
11 April
- Alfonso Tercero (
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Spain): The coaster sank 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) north of the Noordhinder Lightship, off the Netherlands following a collision with Brasilia (
Sweden) in foggy weather. All crew were rescued by Brasilia.[12][13]
18 April
- Vigia ( United Kingdom): The supply vessel sank in the North Sea. All three crew were rescued by a Dutch trawler and landed in the Netherlands.[14]
29 April
- USS ASPB 132-1 ( United States Navy): The Assault Support Patrol Boat struck a mine in the Song Cai Tu River, Vietnam and sank. Salvaged on 1 May.[4][15]
May
7 May
- Capetan Panaos ( Panama): The cargo ship ran aground in the Black Sea at Kilyos, Turkey. Refloated on 22 May and beached at Büyükdere. Refloated on 9 August, subsequently sold for scrapping.[7]
15 May
- USS Guitarro ( United States Navy): The Sturgeon-class submarine sank at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California due to errors in the management of her ballast tanks. Refloated on 18 May, but commissioning delayed by 32 months whilst repairs were carried out.
20 May
- Seiho Maru ( Japan): The coaster sank after a collision with Energy Evolution ( Liberia) off Nagasaki. Four of her thirteen crew were killed and two others reported missing.[16]
Unknown date
- USS PBR 7520 ( United States Navy): The River Patrol Boat was hit by two rockets and beached on fire. Equipment salvaged by USS YLLC-1 ( United States Navy) and delivered to Nha Be, Vietnam.[4]
June
_post_collision.jpg)
USS Frank E. Evans after the collision with HMAS Melbourne
3 June
- USS Frank E. Evans ( United States Navy): The Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer was cut in two in a collision with HMAS Melbourne (
Royal Australian Navy) in the South China Sea. The bow section sank, whilst the stern section remained afloat. Seventy-four crew killed on board Frank E. Evans.
17 June
- Sitakund (
Norway): The stern section, which had been beached off Eastbourne, East Sussex, refloated itself, drifted past Eastbourne Pier and ran aground to the east of the town.[17]
25 June
- Andromachi ( Greece): The cargo ship was shelled and set of fire at Suez, Egypt and was abandoned. She was scrapped in March 1976.[7]
July
16 July
- USS Tullibee (
United States Navy): The Balao-class submarine was sunk as a target in the Atlantic Ocean off Norfolk, Virginia
25 July
- Silja ( Norway): The tanker sank following a collision with Ville de Majunga (
France) off Toulon, France. Two crew killed and a further eighteen reported missing.[18]
Unknown date
- HQ-1224 (
Republic of Vietnam Navy): The armored troop carrier sank at Ta Cru, South Vietnam. Salvaged on 31 July by USS CSB-2 ( United States Navy).[4]
August
2 August
18 August
- Hulda ( Liberia): Hurricane Camille: The cargo liner was driven ashore at Gulfport, Mississippi, United States. Declared a constructive total loss and scrapped in situ.[7]
25 August
- Noongah (
Australia): Foundered on a voyage between Newcastle and Townsville with the loss of 21 lives.[20]
September
22 September
- Agromayer ( Spain): The cargo ship was driven onto rocks 18 nautical miles (33 km) north west of Göteborg, Sweden and later sank at 57°53.630′N 11°26.970′E / 57.893833°N 11.449500°E. One of the twenty people on board was killed.[21][22]
- An unidentified ship ( United Kingdom) ran aground near Göteborg, Sweden, with the loss of at least 15 of her crew.[21]
- USS Sandpumper ( United States Navy): The dredger sank at Đồng Tâm, Vietnam after dredging up a piece of unexploded ordnance, which exploded on board. Salvage operationw involving USS Crilly and USS Crandall abandoned on 30 December.[4]
23 September
- Angel Gabriel ( Greece): The tanker ran aground near Marsaskala, Malta in a storm. One person was killed of the 50 on board.[23]
October
2 October
- USNS Bronstrom ( United States Naval Service): Ran aground off Vung Tau, Vietnam. Refloated that day by USS YLLC-3 ( United States Navy) and five tugs.[4]
7 October
- HQ-6529 ( Republic of Vietnam Navy): The monitor struck a mine and sank south of Kien An, Vietnam. Salvaged by the United States Navy on 11 October and towed to Dong Tam for repairs.[4]
10 October
- USS Frank E. Evans ( United States Navy): Stern section sunk as a target at U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay, Zambales, Philippines.
Unknown date
- HQ-1237 ( Republic of Vietnam Navy): The armored troop carrier sank at Thoi Benh, South Vietnam. Salvaged by USS Satyr ( United States Navy) and towed to Dong Tam on 6 November.[4]
- PBR-7547 ( Republic of Vietnam Navy): The river patrol boat was sunk near Tang Am, South Vietnam. Salvaged on 29 October by USS CSB-3 ( United States Navy) and taken to Tang Am.[4]
November
19 November
- USS Burrfish ( United States Navy): The Balao-class submarine was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off San Clemente Island, California.
22 November
- New Jersey ( United States Navy): The dredger sank after an explosion whilst dredging at Dong Tam, Vietnam. Refloated in December and towed to Singapore for repairs.[4]
27 November
- Hullman ( United Kingdom): The tug capsized and sank off Grimsby whilst towing Conoco Arrow ( Liberia), killing three of her ten crew.[24]
Unknown date
- HQ-5135 and HQ-1234 ( Republic of Vietnam Navy): The assault support patrol boat and armored troop carrier were sunk at Dong Hung, South Vietnam. Salvaged from 9–16 November by a joint Republic of Vietnam Navy and United States Navy operation. Towed to Dong Tam for repairs.[4]
December
14 December
- Metric ( West Germany): The coaster sank off Pembrokeshire after her cargo shifted in stormy weather. All crew rescued by Vega (
Finland) and landed at Fishguard.[25]
15 December
- Marpessa ( United Kingdom): The tanker sank 50 nautical miles (93 km) north west of Dakar, Senegal after an explosion and fire on 12 December.[26]
16 December
- Romulus ( Panama): The cargo ship foundered in the mouth of the Adour, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France. Six of her 25 crew were killed.[27]
19 December
- USS Iredell County ( United States Navy): The Landing Ship, Tank ran aground in the Cochien River, Vietnam. Salvage operation involving USS Chowanoc, USS Current and USS Reclaimer ( United States Navy) resulted in the ship being refloated on 25 December.[4]
25 December
- Rosa Vlassi ( Greece): The cargo ship capsized and sank in the Mediterranean Sea (37°37′N 24°02′E / 37.617°N 24.033°E).[7]
26 December
- Oregis ( United Kingdom): The bulk carrier ran around at Workington, Cumberland. Refloated on 26 December.[28]
28 December
- Horis ( Panama): The cargo ship sprang a leak in the Celebes Sea. She capsized and sank the next day 200 nautical miles (370 km) off Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia (3°53′N 119°23′E / 3.883°N 119.383°E).[7]
29 December
- Mactra ( United Kingdom): The tanker suffered an explosion of her tanks whilst cleaning her tanks off the coast of Mozambique. One of her crew was injured.[29][30]
30 December
- Heinrich Hauschildt ( West Germany): The coaster capsized and sank 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of Kiel.[31]
Unknown date
- Lalor ( Australia) Scuttled off Townsville, Queensland.
References
- ↑ "Japan inquiry into sinking" The Times (London). Tuesday, 7 January 1969. (47542), col D-F, p. 20.
- ↑ "Cunarder may end Caribbean cruise" The Times (London). Tuesday, 4 January 1969. (57458), col D-E, p. 1.
- ↑ "Carmania hauled free by tugs" The Times (London). Saturday, 18 January 1969. (57462), col G, p. 1.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 "Harbor Clearance Unit One, Calendar year 1969, OPNAV Report 5750-1". Seastory. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ↑ "Belgian Merchant P-Z". Belgische Koopvaardij. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
- ↑ "15 rescued from sinking ship" The Times (London). Tuesday, 25 February 1969. (57494), col E, p. 5.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Mitchell, W H, and Sawyer, L A (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. p. not cited. ISBN 1-85044-275-4.
- ↑ "MV Garden City (+1969)". Wrecksite. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ↑ "Oil danger to beaches" The Times (London). Monday, 24 March 1969. (57517), col C, p. 2.
- ↑ "Rescue award" The Times (London). Tuesday, 13 May 1969. (57558), col G, p. 2.
- ↑ "Collision involving SS Union Faith and M/V Warren J. Doucet and tow on Mississippi River on April 6, 1969". US Coast Guard & Marine Board of Investigation Report. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
- ↑ "MV Alfonso Tercero (+1969)". Wrecksite. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ↑ "Ship sinks in fog" The Times (London). Saturday, 12 April 1969. (57533), col G, p. 7.
- ↑ "Gas vessel sinks" The Times (London). Saturday, 19 April 1969. (57539), col G, p. 3.
- ↑ "Mined". Rivervet. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ↑ "Japanese seamen die in collision" The Times (London). Wednesday, 21 May 1969. (57565), col G, p. 4.
- ↑ "Wreck adrift" The Times (London). Wednesday, 18 June 1969. (57589), col E, p. 2.
- ↑ "18 missing at sea" The Times (London). Saturday, 26 July 1969. (57622), col G, p. 5.
- ↑ "Sea search fails" The Times (London). Tuesday, 5 August 1969. (57630), col G, p. 6.
- ↑ "Ship Wrecks of Australia". Geoff Kingman-Sugars. Retrieved 3 March 2009.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "British ship aground off Sweden" The Times (London). Tuesday, 23 September 1969. (57672), col D-G, p. 1.
- ↑ "Agromayer" (in Danish). Vragguiden. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ↑ "Fight to save tanker crew in storm" The Times (London). Wednesday, 24 September 1969. (57673), col C-F, p. 7.
- ↑ "Hull tug sinks: 3 lost" The Times (London). Friday, 28 November 1969. (57729), col C, p. 3.
- ↑ "Rescuer swept to sea in gale" The Times (London). Monday, 15 December 1969. (57743), col E, p. 1.
- ↑ "Damaged giant tanker sinks" The Times (London). Monday, 15 December 1969. (57743), col A, p. 1.
- ↑ "Six lost as ship sinks in gale" The Times (London). Wednesday, 17 December 1969. (57745), col A-C, p. 5.
- ↑ "Port open again" The Times (London). Monday, 29 December 1969. (57753), col F, p. 2.
- ↑ "Explosion in second Shell tanker" The Times (London). Tuesday, 30 December 1969. (57754), col D, p. 1.
- ↑ "SS Mactra". Mowbars. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ↑ "German ship lost" The Times (London). Wednesday, 31 December 1969. (57755), col C, p. 4.
See also
| Ship events in 1969 | |||||||||||
| Ship launches: | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 |
| Ship commissionings: | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 |
| Ship decommissionings: | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 |
| Shipwrecks: | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 |
- This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.