List of shipwrecks in April 1940

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

April 1940
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30		Unknown date

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 19 crew.^[1]

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.^[2]
• Lone Eagle ( United States): The fishing vessel was sunk off Point Arguello, California in a collision with USS Crosby ( United States Navy). Her 7 crewmen are rescued by USS Crosby.^[3]
• Produce ( Norway): The cargo ship ran aground in the Paracel Islands and was wrecked.^[4]
• 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.^[2]

5 April

• Bjørnhaug ( Norway): The cargo ship ran aground at Fife Ness, Fife, United Kingdom and was wrecked.^[5]

6 April

• Esso Belgium ( Belgium): The tanker ran aground in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) off Nieuwpoort, West Flanders.^[6]
• Leonora ( United Kingdom): The trawler sank in the North Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) east of Scarborough, Yorkshire.^[7]
• 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 (59°N 4°W / 59°N 4°W / 59; -4) by U-59 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 12 of the 26 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by Atlas ( Finland).^{[2][8][9][10]}
• 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.^[11]
• Elling ( Norway): The coaster ship sprang a leak and sank at Lindesnes, Vest-Agder. Later raised, repaired and returned to service.^[12]

8 April

• Belt ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The coastal tanker was sunk on this date.^[13]
• Dollard ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The costal tanker was sunk on this date.^[13]
• Euroland ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The coastal tanker was sunk on this date.^[13]
• 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 while ramming the heavy cruiser 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 (51°18′N 2°04′E / 51.300°N 2.067°E / 51.300; 2.067) with the loss of one crew member. The survivors were rescued by HMS Boadicea ( Royal Navy) and Beverland ( Netherlands).^[14]
• Rio de Janeiro ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk off Lillesand, Norway (58°07.8′N 8°29.4′E / 58.1300°N 8.4900°E / 58.1300; 8.4900) by Orzeł ( Polish Navy) 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.^[14]
• Posidonia ( Luftwaffe): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The naval tanker was torpedoed and sunk on her maiden voyage off Stavern, Norway (58°54′N 10°21′E / 58.900°N 10.350°E / 58.900; 10.350) by HMS Trident ( Royal Navy). She was salvaged in June 1940, repaired and re-entered service as Stedingen.^[13][14][15]
• Senator ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The coastal tanker was sunk on this date.^[13]

9 April

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

• HNoMS 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.
• Amasis ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk off Måseskär, Sweden (58°13′N 11°13′E / 58.217°N 11.217°E / 58.217; 11.217) by HMS Sunfish ( Royal Navy). All 51 crew were rescued.^[14][15][16]
• Blücher ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Battle of Drøbak Sound: 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.^[15]
• Dagny ( Sweden): World War II: The fishing vessel struck a mine and sank north of Hanstholm, Denmark with the loss of six crew.^[14]
• HNoMS Eidsvold ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: First battle of Narvik: The Eidsvold-class coastal defence ship was torpedoed off Narvik by Z21 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 Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26 and Junkers Ju 88 aircraft of KG30, Luftwaffe with the loss of 15 of her 219 crew.
• Karlsruhe ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The Königsberg-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).^[15]
• Main ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The supply ship was captured in the North Sea, off Haugesund, Norway by HNoMS Draug ( Royal Norwegian Navy). She was later bombed and severely damaged by Luftwaffe aircraft and was scuttled by HNoMS Draug.^[14][15]
• 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 Z11 Bernd von Arnim ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 101 of her 191 crew.
• R 17 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The Type R 17 minesweeper was shelled and sunk off Horten, Norway by HNoMS Rauma and HNoMS Olav Tryggvason (both  Royal Norwegian Navy).^[13]

• Roda ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The supply ship was captured off Stavanger, Norway by HNoMS Æger ( Royal Norwegian Navy) and sunk.^[15]
• Sao Paulo ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The supply ship struck a mine off Bergen, Norway (60°30′N 5°10′E / 60.500°N 5.167°E / 60.500; 5.167) and sank.^[14]
• Seattle ( Germany): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The cargo liner was sunk off Kristiansand, Norway by Norwegian coastal artillery.^[14][15]
• 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 (both  Kriegsmarine) and was beached with the loss of two of her five crew. She was a total loss.^[17][18]
• 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.^[15]
• Albatros ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The Raubvogel-class torpedo boat ran aground in Oslofjord, Norway whilst engaged in a battle with Oslofjord 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.^[15]
• Antares ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Skaggerak off Lysekil, Sweden (58°11′N 11°17′E / 58.183°N 11.283°E / 58.183; 11.283) by HMS Sunfish ( Royal Navy).^[14][15]
• 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. 6 crewmen killed.^[15]
• 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.^[15]
• Elrid ( Norway): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The cargo ship was damaged in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, in a battle between British and German destroyers. She sank May 5.^[14][15]
• 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).^[15]
• 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.^[15]
• 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.^[15]
• 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 Hanstholm, Denmark with the loss of all six crew.^[14]
• Königsberg ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The Königsberg-class cruiiser 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.^[15]
• Muansa ( Germany): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The cargo ship struck a mine and sunk in Oslofjord.^[14]
• 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.^[15]
• Planet ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled beneath Jan Wellem ( Kriegsmarine) to protect the latter against torpedoes; this occurred at 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).^[15][19]
• Romansby ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea at Narvik, Norway.^[20]
• 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. The wreck was raised in May 1958 and scrapped.^[15][21]
• Stråssa ( Sweden): World War II: First Battle of Narvik: The cargo ship was damaged in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, in a battle between British and German destroyers. She blew up and sank 11 May^[15]
• Sveaborg ( Sweden): World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Faroe Islands (62°52′N 7°34′W / 62.867°N 7.567°W / 62.867; -7.567) by U-37 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of her 34 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMT Northern Chief ( Royal Navy.^[14][22][23]
• HMS Tarpon ( Royal Navy): World War II: The T-class submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Skagerrak by Naval Trawler Schiff 40 ( Kriegsmarine), a Q Ship, with the loss of all 59 crew.^[14]
• HMS 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 (62°52′N 7°34′W / 62.867°N 7.567°W / 62.867; -7.567) by U-37 ( Kriegsmarine with the loss of two of her 34 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMT Northern Chief ( Royal Navy).^{[14][24][25][26]}
• V-705 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The vorpostenboot was torpedoed and sunk.^[27]
• 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).^[15]
• 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).^[15]
• Z21 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 (56°30′N 11°30′E / 56.500°N 11.500°E / 56.500; 11.500) by HMS Sealion ( Royal Navy).^[14][15]
• Ionia ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Baltic Sea off Larvik, Norway (58°30′N 10°35′E / 58.500°N 10.583°E / 58.500; 10.583) by HMS Triad ( Royal Navy).^[14][15]
• Oscarsborg-Narvik ( Norway): World War II: The car ferry was shelled and sunk without loss of life off Narvik, Norway.^[28]
• Schiff 9 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The auxiliary patrol boat (requisitioned trawler Koblenz) struck a mine off Bergen, Norway and sank.^[29]
• Schiff 111 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper struck a rock in Sørfjorden and was beached in Kirkefjord to prevent sinking. Refloated the next day and towed to Bergen, Norway and put out of service with crew transferred to other ships. Repaired and put back in service by 27 April.^[30]
• Vp-105 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The auxiliary patrol boat (requisitioned trawler Cremon) struck a mine and sank off Bergen, Norway.^[29]

12 April

• Chasseur 107 ( French Navy): The submarine chaser collided with Shelspra ( France) in the Loire and sank.^[14]
• HNoMS Michael Sars ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The disarmed offshore patrol vessel was bombed and damaged by British Fairey Swordfish aircraft from HMS Furious ( Royal Navy) in Narvik harbour. She sank the next day. Later raised and pressed into Kriegsmarine service.^[31][32]
• 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.^[15]
• 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.^[33]
• Senja ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The captured Norwegian offshore patrol vessel, manned by a prize crew from Z17 Diether von Roeder ( Kriegsmarine), was bombed and sunk by British Fairey Swordfish aircraft from HMS Furious ( Royal Navy) in Narvik harbour. Later raised and pressed into Kriegsmarine service.^[32][34]
• HNoMS Sperm ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The guard ship was scuttled by her own crew at Vikedal, Rogaland, Norway, to prevent capture by the Germans.^[35]
• HNoMS Storm ( Royal Norwegian Navy): The torpedo boat ran aground at Stangholmene, Norway. She was beached, and sank the next day.
• Velocitas ( Netherlands): World War II: The coaster struck a mine and sank in the North Sea east of Margate, Kent, United Kingdom (51°25′N 1°50′E / 51.417°N 1.833°E / 51.417; 1.833) with the loss of three of her five crew. The survivors were rescued by Mavis ( United Kingdom).^[14][36]
• UJ-117 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The submarine chaser struck a mine and sank in the Danish Straits.^[37]

13 April

• Z11 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 torpedoed sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik in a battle between British and German warships. She was hit by a torpedo from a Royal Navy ship and one from Z18 Hans Lüdemann ( Kriegsmarine). She was salvaged and scrapped in 1955.^[38]
• Z17 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 HMS Warspite ( Royal Navy) and other Royal Navy destroyers.
• Z12 Erich Giese ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The Type 1934A-class destroyer was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik by HMS Warspite ( Royal Navy) and other Royal Navy destroyers.
• Z13 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 HMS Warspite ( Royal Navy) and other Royal Navy destroyers. She was subsequently scuttled. 31 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: The trawler was sunk by enemy action.^[14]
• Z2 Georg Thiele ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The Type 1934-class destroyer was scuttled in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik.
• Z18 Hans Lüdemann ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The Type 1936-class destroyer was scuttled in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik.
• Z19 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.^[15]
• HNoMS Kelt ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The disarmed patrol boat was bombed and sunk by British Fairey Swordfish aircraft from HMS Furious ( Royal Navy) in Narvik harbour.^[39]
• M-1108 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The minesweeper was sunk in a collision the Great Belt, south-west of Omø, Denmark. (55°05′N 11°04′E / 55.083°N 11.067°E / 55.083; 11.067)^[40]
• Öxelösund ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik in a battle between British and German warships.^[15]
• Rødskjæl ( Norway): World War II: The tanker was sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik in a battle between British and German warships.^[15]
• 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.^[15]
• U-64 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Second Battle of Narvik: The Type IXB submarine was bombed and sunk in the Herjangsfjord off Bjerkvik, Norway, by a Fairey Swordfish aircraft from HMS Warspite ( Royal Navy) with the loss of eight of her 46 crew.
• Z9 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 at Bergen, Norway by Blackburn Skua aircraft of 800 and 803 Naval Air Squadrons, Fleet Air Arm.
• 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.^[41]
• Disperser ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship sank in the North Sea off Kirkwall, Orkney Islands.^[42]
• Florida ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Operation Weserübung: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Orust, Sweden (57°59′N 10°51′E / 57.983°N 10.850°E / 57.983; 10.850) by HMS Snapper ( Royal Navy).^[14][15]
• M-1101 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The minesweeper struck a mine laid by HMS Narwhal ( Royal Navy) in Kattegat. She was beached in the Oslofjord the next day.^[43]
• Nyborg ( Denmark): World War II: The ferry struck a mine and sank in the Kattegat off Sprogø.^[44]
• Oldenburg ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The U-boat support ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Skagerrak (57°50′N 11°15′E / 57.833°N 11.250°E / 57.833; 11.250) by HMS Sunfish ( Royal Navy).^[14][15]
• 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.^[45]
• Skagerrak ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The naval tanker was intercepted in the Norwegian Sea north west of Vågsøy (64°05′N 2°00′E / 64.083°N 2.000°E / 64.083; 2.000) by HMS Suffolk ( Royal Navy) and was scuttled.^[14][15]
• 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

• HNoMS A-3 ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The A-class submarine was scuttled at Tønsberg.^[46]
• HNoMS A-4 ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The A-class submarine was scuttled at Tønsberg.^[47]
• Bernisse ( Netherlands): World War II: The cargo ship was captured by the Kriegsmarine in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik, Norway and scuttled.^[48]
• Mersington Court ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was captured in the Norwegian Sea off Narvik by German forces and was scuttled.
• M-1701 H M Behrens ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The minesweeper was torpedoed and sunk in the Kattegat (57°55′N 10°53′E / 57.917°N 10.883°E / 57.917; 10.883) by HMS Snapper ( Royal Navy).^[15][48][49]
• M-1702 Carsten Janssen ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The minesweeper was torpedoed and sunk in the Kattegat (57°55′N 10°53′E / 57.917°N 10.883°E / 57.917; 10.883) by HMS Snapper ( Royal Navy).^[15][48][50]
• 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 depth charged and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Harstad, Norway by HMS Brazen and HMS Fearless (both  Royal Navy) with the loss of one of her 42 crew.
• Vp-811 ( Kriegsmarine): The vorpostenboot sank in the North Sea. She was later salvaged, repaired and returned to service.^[48]

16 April

• Mertainen ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Trondheimsfjord, Norway by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of II Staffeln, Kampfgeschwader 4, Luftwaffe.^[13][48][51]
• U-1 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The Type IIA submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea with the loss of all 24 crew.^[52]
• V-1703 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The vorpostenboot was torpedoed and sunk by HMS Narwhal ( Royal Navy). She was later repaired and returned to service.^[53]

17 April

• Juaniata ( United Kingdom): World War II: The tanker was scuttled as a blockship in Water Sound, Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands. Refloated 1949 and beached in Inganess Bay.^[54][55]
• 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 (61°03′N 0°14′W / 61.050°N 0.233°W / 61.050; -0.233) by U-13 ( Kriegsmarine). All 38 crew were rescued.^[48][56]

18 April

• HNoMS Grib ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The 2.-class torpedo boat was scuttled south of Lyngør, Norway, to prevent capture by German forces.^[57]
• Hamm ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The troopship was torpedoed and damaged in the Skagerrak south east of Skagen, Denmark (58°09′N 10°32′E / 58.150°N 10.533°E / 58.150; 10.533) by HMS Seawolf ( Royal Navy). She sank in the early hours of the next day.^[48]
• HNoMS Jo ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The 2.-class torpedo boat was run aground and scuttled south of Lyngør to prevent capture by German forces.^[57]
• HNoMS Ravn ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The 2.-class torpedo boat was scuttled south of Lyngør to prevent capture by German forces.^[57]
• HNoMS Sæl ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The Norwegian Campaign: The 1.-class torpedo boat was sunk in Hardangerfjord during a battle with three E-boats ( Kriegsmarine).
• HMS Sterlet ( Royal Navy): World War II: The S-class submarine was sunk in the Skagerrak south of Larvik, Norway, possibly sunk by M-75 and T-190 (both( Kriegsmarine), or sunk by a mine later.

19 April

• Jaunjelgava ( Latvia): The cargo ship collided with another ship in the Baltic Sea and sank.^[58]

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 (51°32′N 1°13′E / 51.533°N 1.217°E / 51.533; 1.217). All 39 crew were rescued by MTB-4 ( Royal Navy).^[48][59][60]
• Mersey ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in The Downs, Kent (51°17′N 1°28′E / 51.283°N 1.467°E / 51.283; 1.467) with the loss of 14 of her 21 crew.^[48][59][61]
• HMS Rutlandshire ( Royal Navy): World War II: The ASW trawler was bombed and sunk in the Namsenfjorden off Namsos, Norway by aircraft of Kampfgeschwader 26, Luftwaffe.^[13]
• Schiff 18 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The auxiliary ship was damaged by HNoMS Tyr ( Royal Norwegian Navy) and beached at Uskedal, near Bergen, Norway.^[48]
• HNoMS Smart ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The auxiliary patrol vessel was shelled and sunk at Uskedal by Bremse ( Kriegsmarine).^[48]
• HNoMS Stegg ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: Norwegian Campaign: The Trygg-class torpedo boat was sunk in Hardangerfjord by Schiff 221 ( Kriegsmarine).

21 April

• Cedarbank ( United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy AP 1: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Norway (62°49′N 4°10′E / 62.817°N 4.167°E / 62.817; 4.167 by U-26 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 15 of her 45 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Javelin ( Royal Navy).^[48][62][63]
• Hercules II ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea by Luftwaffe aircraft.^[48]
• Jürgen Fritzen ( Germany): The cargo ship ran aground and sunk in the Kattegat off Landsort, Sweden.^[64]
• Penn ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea by Luftwaffe aircraft.^[48]

22 April

• Bep ( Netherlands): World War II: The fishing vessel was sunk in the North Sea of Terschelling, Friesland by an E boat. The crew were rescued.^[65]
• 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 17 of the 24 people on board.^[65][66][67]
• Delamore ( Norway): The coaster struck a rock and sank at Marsteinen. Salvage attempts were unsuccessful.^[68]
• Sigurd Jarl ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and set on fire in Moldefjord by Luftwaffe aircraft. She sank the next day. Raised in 1942 but not repaired, sold for scrapping in 1947.^[65][69]
• Wocana ( Netherlands): World War II: The skoot was intercepted by, and collided with, HMS Pintail ( Royal Navy) in the North Sea off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and sank.^[65]

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.^[70]
• Lolworth ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea east of Ramsgate, Kent (51°22′N 1°26′E / 51.367°N 1.433°E / 51.367; 1.433) with the loss of two of her 24 crew.^{[48][71][72][73]}
• M-1302 Schwaben ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper struck a mine and sank in the Kattegat.^[13][15]
• Sayn ( Nazi Germany): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Wadden Sea off Borkum, Lower Saxony.^[15]
• UJ-B Treff V ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The auxiliary submarine hunter was torpedoed and sunk in the Skagerrak (58°21′N 10°24′E / 58.350°N 10.400°E / 58.350; 10.400) by HMS Tetrarch ( Royal Navy). There were only three survivors.^[13][15][65]

24 April

• Cronshagen ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine off Copenhagen, Denmark and sank.^[15]
• Girasol ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship collided with Contractor ( United Kingdom) in the North Sea north of Margate, Kent and sank. All 11 crew were rescued by Richard ( Belgium.^[74][75]
• Haxby ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Caribbean Sea north east of the Dominican Republic (31°30′N 51°30′W / 31.500°N 51.500°W / 31.500; -51.500) by Orion ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 17 of her 40 crew.^[65][76]
• Riverton ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Norwegian Sea at Narvik, Norway by HMS Effingham ( Royal Navy).^[65]
• 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 11 of her 13 crew. The survivors were rescued by HMT Sarah Hide ( Royal Navy).^[48][77]
• Stokesley ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary north of Birchington, Kent (51°32′N 1°16′E / 51.533°N 1.267°E / 51.533; 1.267) with the loss of 15 crew.^[65][78]

25 April

• Afrika ( Germany): 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.^[48][79]
• 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.^[6][80]
• HMT Bradman ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and sunk in Romsdalsfjord aircraft of Kampfgeschwader 26, Luftwaffe. She was later salvaged and entered German service as V 6111 Friese.^[13][81]
• Brand IV ( Norway): World War II: The hospital ship was bombed in the Norwegian Sea off Ålesund by Luftwaffe aircraft and ran aground.^[82]
• Folden ( Norway): World War II: The coaster was bombed and damaged off Tonnes, Nordland by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was beached with the loss of at least six of the 21 people on board. Although condemned as a total loss, she was repaired and returned to service in July 1944.^[83]
• Haardraade ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Leirvik, Hordaland by Royal Air Force aircraft with the loss of one crew member. Later raised, repaired and returned to service as Hodnaberg.^[84]
• HMT Hammond ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Åndalsnes,of Norway by aircraft of Kampfgeschwader 26, Luftwaffe. She was salvaged by the Germans in 1942, repaired and entered Kriegsmarine service as V 6115 Salier in 1945.^[13][85]
• HMT Larwood ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and sunk in Fannefjord off Molde, Norway by aircraft of Kampfgeschwader 26, Luftwaffe. She was salvaged by the Germans in 1940, repaired and entered Kriegsmarine service as V 6107 Franke.^[13][86]
• 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.^[48][87]
• San Miguel ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled off Ulvik in the Hardangerfjord by Norwegian troops during a German attempt at capture. Later raised, repaired and returned to service^[21][88]
• Schiff 18 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The armed auxiliary was severely damaged at Kinsarvik by Norwegian troops firing machine guns and a lorry-mounted naval gun, and forced to beach at Utne, Norway.^[89]
• HNoMS Trygg ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: Åndalsnes landings: 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.^[65]

26 April

• 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.^[90]
• Schiff 37 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The auxiliary patrol boat (requisitioned trawler Schleswig) was shelled and sunk west of Ålesund, Norway (62°37′N 4°00′E / 62.617°N 4.000°E / 62.617; 4.000) by HMS Birmingham ( Royal Navy).^[91]

27 April

• Athelstan ( United Kingdom): The trawler was last seen by Claire at 54°00′N 1°55′E / 54.000°N 1.917°E / 54.000; 1.917. No further trace, lost with all nine crew.^[92]
• Bodenwinkel ( Germany): World War II: The pilot boat struck a mine and sank in the Hubertgat, west of Borkum, Denmark.^[13]
• Nyhaug ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Lepsøya by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was later raised, repaired and returned to service as Holla.^[65][93]
• 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.^[94][95]

28 April

• Capella ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in Tingvollfjorden, Møre og Romsdal by Luftwaffe aircraft. Raised in 1943, repaired and returned to service as Hillevaag in July 1943.^[38]
• 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 aircraft of Kampfgescheader 26, Luftwaffe. Raised, repaired and put in Kriegsmarine service as V 6113 Gote.^[13][96]
• Gallus ( Norway): World War II: The coaster was bombed and sunk off Kristiansund, Møre og Romsdal by Luftwaffe aircraft. Later raised and returned to service.^[97]
• Svanholm ( Norway): World War II: The coaster was bombed and sunk off the island of Tustna, Møre og Romsdal by Luftwaffe aircraft. Raised in 1940, repaired and returned to service in 1942 as Bergfin.^[18]

29 April

• Begonia ( Estonia): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and damaged in Aurlandsfjord off Flåm, Norway by Luftwaffe aircraft on 25 April. She was scuttled by the Norwegian military four days after the bombing.^[65][98]
• 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.^[99][100]
• HMT Jardine ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and damaged in the Norwegian Sea off Trondheim, Norway by aircraft of Kampfgeschwader 26, Luftwaffe. 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.^{[13][65][99][100]}
• Ørland ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Midsund by Luftwaffe aircraft. All crew survived.^[101][102]
• HMS Unity ( Royal Navy): The U-class submarine collided with Atle Jarl ( Norway) off the mouth of the Tyne (55°13′N 1°19′W / 55.217°N 1.317°W / 55.217; -1.317) 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.^[103]

30 April

• Alversund ( Royal Norwegian Navy): World War II: The guard ship was scuttled by her own crew near Stord, Hordaland, Norway, to prevent capture by the Germans.^[104]
• 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.^[105][106]
• Athelstan ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea by Luftwaffe aircraft.^[65]
• 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 (68°43′00″N 14°24′30″E / 68.71667°N 14.40833°E / 68.71667; 14.40833). She sank on 2 May.^[65]
• HMS Dunoon ( Royal Navy): World War II: The Hunt-class minesweeper struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (52°45′N 2°23′E / 52.750°N 2.383°E / 52.750; 2.383) with the loss of 26 of her 73 crew.^[65]
• 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.^[106]
• Leopard ( Kriegsmarine): The 1924 Raubtier-class torpedoboat collided with the minelayer Preussen ( Kriegsmarine) in the Skagerrak and sank. Survivors rescued by Wolf ( Kriegsmarine).^[65]
• Maillé Brézé ( French Navy): 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.
• Saturnus ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in Todalsfjord by Luftwaffe aircraft. Later raised, repaired and returned to service.^[21]
• HMT St Goran ( Royal Navy): World War II: Namsos Campaign: The ASW trawler was bombed and severely damaged off Namsos by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was subsequently bombed again and sunk the next day.^[106]
• HMT Warwickshire ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Trondheim, Norway by aircraft of Kampfgeschwader 26, Luftwaffe. She was salvaged by the Germans and entered Kriegsmarine service as V 6113 Alane.^{[65][99][107]}

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.
• Seminole ( United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy HX 34: The cargo ship struck a mine and was beached. She was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.^[108]
• Tugela ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled at Oslo. She was later raised, repaired and entered German service.^[109]

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