List of shipwrecks in December 1939

The list of shipwrecks in December 1939 includes all ships sunk, foundered, grounded, or otherwise lost during December 1939. Most of the ships listed here were lost in connection with World War II.

December 1939
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Unknown date				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	31

1 December

For the loss of MV Realf on this day, see the entry for 30 November 1939

• Arcturus ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom by U-21 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of nine of her 24 crew. Survivors were rescued by Eva ( Norway) and Ivar ( Denmark).^[1][2][3]
• Dalryan ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) south west of the Tongue Lightship ( United Kingdom) (51°31′00″N 1°19′05″E / 51.51667°N 1.31806°E / 51.51667; 1.31806).^[4][5]
• Floride ( France): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea off Dunkerque, Nord. She was beached at Malo-les-Bains, Nord but broke in two and was declared a total loss.^[2][6]
• Grethe ( Denmark): The schooner ran aground on the Goodwin Sands, Kent and was wrecked. The seven crew were rescued by a Royal Navy destroyer.^[2][7]
• Mercator ( Finland): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea south east of Aberdeen (57°39′N 0°36′W / 57.650°N 0.600°W / 57.650; -0.600) by U-31 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of her 32 crew. Some survivors were rescued by the fishing vessel Bread Winner ( United Kingdom) and the Peterhead lifeboat Julia Park Barry of Glasgow ( Royal National Lifeboat Institution) with the rest reaching Boddam, Aberdeenshire in a lifeboat.^[1][2][8][9]

2 December

• Chancellor ( United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy HXF 11: The cargo ship collided with Athelchief ( United Kingdom) in the Atlantic Ocean 70 nautical miles (130 km) off Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (44°30′N 61°51′W / 44.500°N 61.850°W / 44.500; -61.850 and sank. All 42 crew survived.^[10][11]
• Doric Star ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the South Atlantic (19°15′S 5°05′E / 19.250°S 5.083°E / -19.250; 5.083) by Admiral Graf Spee ( Kriegsmarine).^[1]
• Eskdene ( United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy HN 3: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the North Sea (56°30′N 1°40′W / 56.500°N 1.667°W / 56.500; -1.667) by U-56 ( Kriegsmarine) and was abandoned by her 29 crew, who were rescued by Hild ( Norway). Eskdene drifted for five days before she was taken in tow by Bulger ( United Kingdom) and beached at South Shields, Co Durham on 8 December.^[2]
• San Calisto ( United Kingdom): World War II: The tanker struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) south west of the Tongue Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of six of her 42 crew.^[1][5][12]
• Watussi ( Germany): World War II: The passenger ship was scuttled in the South Atlantic 50 nautical miles (93 km) south of Cape Agulhas, South Africa after being spotted by a Junkers Ju 86 aircraft of the South African Air Force and approached by HMS Sussex ( Royal Navy), which rescued the 196 people on board. Watussi was shelled by HMS Renown ( Royal Navy) to quicken her sinking.^[1][2][13]

3 December

• Hamsterley ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship collided with Accrington ( United Kingdom) in the North Sea off Happisburgh, Norfolk and sank with the loss of one crew member.^[14]
• Manchester Regiment ( United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy HXF 11: The cargo ship collided with Oropesa ( United Kingdom) and sank with the loss of nine of her 74 crew. Survivors were rescued by Oropesa.^[2][15][16]
• Moortoft ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship foundered in the North Sea with the loss of all 13 crew.^[1][17]
• Ove Toft ( Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (55°36′N 0°46′E / 55.600°N 0.767°E / 55.600; 0.767) by U-31 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of six of her 21 crew.^[1][2][18]
• Rudolf ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Firth of Tay (56°15′N 1°25′W / 56.250°N 1.417°W / 56.250; -1.417) by U-56 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of nine of her 23 crew. Survivors were rescued by the trawlers Cardew ( United Kingdom) and HMT Firefly ( Royal Navy) and the cargo ship Gunlög ( Sweden).^[2][19][20]
• Tairoa ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the South Atlantc (21°30′S 3°00′E / 21.500°S 3.000°E / -21.500; 3.000) by Admiral Graf Spee ( Kriegsmarine).^[1]

4 December

• Gimle ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (57°15′N 1°50′E / 57.250°N 1.833°E / 57.250; 1.833) by U-31 ( Kriegsmarine with the loss of three of her 19 crew. Survivors were rescued by Rudolf ( Norway).^{[1][2][21][22]}
• Horsted ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea south east of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire (53°48′N 0°16′E / 53.800°N 0.267°E / 53.800; 0.267) with the loss of five crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Jackal ( Royal Navy).^[1][23][24]
• Primula ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 125 nautical miles (232 km) east of Aberdeen (57°15′N 1°50′E / 57.250°N 1.833°E / 57.250; 1.833) by U-31 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of eight of her 15 crew. Survivors were rescued by Wm. Th. Malling ( Denmark.^{[1][2][25][26]}
• U-36 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The Type VIIA submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway (57°00′N 5°02′E / 57.000°N 5.033°E / 57.000; 5.033) by HMS Salmon ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 40 crew.
• UJ-117 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The submarine chaser struck a mine and sank in The Belts, Denmark. She was salvaged in June 1940, repaired and returned to service.^[2]

5 December

• Agu ( Estonia): The cargo ship foundered in the North Sea.^[1]
• Navasota ( United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy OB 46: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Celtic Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock (50°43′N 10°16′W / 50.717°N 10.267°W / 50.717; -10.267) by U-47 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 37 of her 82 crew. Survivors were rescued by Clan Farquhar ( United Kingdom) and HMS Escapade ( Royal Navy).^[1][2][27]

6 December

• Agu ( Estonia): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea by U-31 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 18 crew.^[28]
• Britta ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 45 nautical miles (83 km) south west of the Longships Lighthouse by U-47 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of six of her 31 crew. Survivors were rescued by the trawler Memlinc ( Belgium).^[1][2]
• Føina ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea north west of Rattray Head, Aberdeenshire, Scotland by U-20 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 18 crew.^[1][2][29]
• Paralos ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) north east of North Foreland, Kent (51°31′N 1°37′E / 51.517°N 1.617°E / 51.517; 1.617) with the loss of three of her 25 crew. Survivors were rescued by Roek ( United Kingdom.^[5][30]
• Ussukuma ( Nazi Germany): World War II: The passenger ship was scuttled in the South Atlantic (100 nautical miles (190 km) off the coast of Argentina when intercepted by HMS Ajax ( Royal Navy). All 107 crew were rescued and interned for the duration of the war.
• Vinga ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (56°25′N 1°08′E / 56.417°N 1.133°E / 56.417; 1.133) by U-31 ( Kriegsmarine). The 22 crew were rescued by Transporter ( Denmark).^{[1][2][31][32]}
• HMT Washington ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk with the loss of seven of her eight crew.^[2][33]

7 December

• Eskedebe ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was damaged by a mine 70 nautical miles (130 km) off the mouth of the River Tyne. She was beached at South Shields, Co Durham. Later repaired and returned to service.^[1]
• Louis Sheid ( Belgium): World War II: The cargo ship ran aground off Thurlestone, Devon, United Kingdom while escaping from U-47 ( Kriegsmarine).
• Scotia ( Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (57°31′N 2°17′E / 57.517°N 2.283°E / 57.517; 2.283) by U-23 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 19 of her 21 crew. Survivors were rescued by Hafnia ( Denmark).^[2][34]
• Streonshalh ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was shelled sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Trinidad (25°01′S 27°50′W / 25.017°S 27.833°W / -25.017; -27.833) by Admiral Graf Spee ( Kriegsmarine).^[1][2]
• Tajandoen ( Netherlands): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 40 nautical miles (74 km) north of Ouessant, Finistère, France (49°09′N 4°51′W / 49.150°N 4.850°W / 49.150; -4.850) by U-47 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of six of her 68 crew. Survivors were rescued by Louis Sheid ( United Kingdom).^[2][35]
• Thomas Walton ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea south of Svolvær, Nordland, Norway (67°53′N 14°29′E / 67.883°N 14.483°E / 67.883; 14.483) by U-38 ( Kriegsmarine with the loss of 13 of her 44 crew. Survivors were rescued by Irma ( Norway and Sebu ( Germany).^[36]
• Whintown ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship collided with Leo ( United Kingdom) in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south of the Haisboro' Lightship and sank.^[1]

8 December

• Adour ( Belgium): The cargo ship ran aground on rocks at Îles de Glenan, Brest, France and sank.^[1]
• Brandon ( United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy OB 48: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Celtic Sea 120 nautical miles (220 km) off Land's End, Cornwall (50°28′N 8°28′W / 50.467°N 8.467°W / 50.467; -8.467) by U-48 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of nine crew. Survivors were rescued by the trawlers Marie Jose Rosette ( Belgium) and Tritten ( United Kingdom).^[2][37]
• Corea ( United Kingdom) World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Cromer, Norfolk. with the loss of eight of her 15 crew. The survivors were rescued by H F Bailey III ( Royal National Lifeboat Institution)^[1][2]
• Dinard ( France): The coaster collided with Swynfleet ( United Kingdom and sank in the North Sea off Deal, Kent.^[38][39]
• Merel ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in The Downs, Kent west of the Gull Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of 16 of her 18 crew.^[5][40]
• Middlesbro' ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship struck the wreck of Goodwood ( United Kingdom) and sank in the North Sea 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire. The crew were rescued by Runeborg ( Sweden).^[2][41]

9 December

• Adolf Leonhardt ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled by her crew in the South Atlantic off Portuguese West Africa when intercepted by HMS Shropshire ( Royal Navy), which rescued the 25 crew.^[1][2][42]
• Magnus ( Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (57°48′N 0°35′W / 57.800°N 0.583°W / 57.800; -0.583) by U-20 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 18 of her 19 crew. The survivor was rescued by the trawler Philippe ( United Kingdom).^[1][2][43]
• San Alberto ( United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy OB 48: The tanker was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Cornwall (49°20′N 9°45′W / 49.333°N 9.750°W / 49.333; -9.750) by U-48 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of her 37 crew. The ship broke in two, with the bow section sinking. Survivors were rescued by Alexandre Andre ( Belgium) but later reboarded the stern section and attempted to reach port. It was later scuttled by HMS Mackay ( Royal Navy).^{[1][2][44][45]}

10 December

• Bolheim ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Gulf of Bothnia off Mäntyluoto, Finland, by S-1 ( Soviet Navy).^[1][2][46]
• Fire King ( United Kingdom): The coaster collided with Duke of Lancaster ( United Kingdom) in the Irish Sea off the Point of Ayre, Isle of Man and sank. The wreck was dispersed in 1940.^[47]
• Føina ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 160 nautical miles (300 km) west north West of Rattray Head, Perthshire United Kingdom by U-20 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 18 crew.^[29]
• Immingham ( Netherlands): World War II: The coaster struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea off Callantsoog, North Holland. She sank the next day. All seven crew were rescued.^[2][48]
• Jotun ( Norway): The coaster ran aground south of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland and was wrecked.^[2]
• Kabinda ( Belgium): The cargo ship ran aground on the Goodwin Sands, Kent and broke in two. She was declared a total loss.^[2][4][49]
• Kassari ( Estonia): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Baltic Sea off Utö by S-323 ( Soviet Navy) with the loss of one crew member.^[1][2]
• HMT Ray of Hope ( Royal Navy): World War II: The auxiliary mineswseeper struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Ramsgate, Kent with the loss of nine of her 12 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMT Silver Dawn ( Royal Navy).^[23][50]
• Reinbeck ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Finland by S-322 ( Soviet Navy).^[1][2]
• Stanwood ( United Kingdom): The collier's cargo of coal caught fire. She was beached in the Carrick Roads but capsized and was declared a total loss. The wreck was dispersed by explosives.^[51]
• Willowpool ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea east of the Newarp Lightship ( United Kingdom) by U-20 ( Kriegsmarine) All 36 crew were rescued by the Gorleston lifeboat Louise Stephens ( Royal National Lifeboat Institution).^[1][52][53]

11 December

• Garoufalia ( Greece): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea (64°36′N 10°42′E / 64.600°N 10.700°E / 64.600; 10.700) by U-38 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of four of her 29 crew. Survivors were rescued by Tellus ( Norway).^{[1][2][54][55]}
• Storfjeld ( Norway): The cargo ship ran aground on the Seaton Rocks, Northumberland, United Kingdom (55°05′15″N 1°28′00″W / 55.08750°N 1.46667°W / 55.08750; -1.46667) and was wrecked.^[56][57]

12 December

• HMS Duchess ( Royal Navy): The D-class destroyer collided with HMS Barham ( Royal Navy) 9 nautical miles (17 km) off the Mull of Kintyre and sank with the loss of 124 of her 145 crew.
• Marwick Head ( United Kingdom): World War II: The coaster struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk with the loss of five of her ten crew.^[2][58]
• Torö ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea (55°20′N 13°04′E / 55.333°N 13.067°E / 55.333; 13.067).^[2]
• Vidovodan ( Yugoslavia): The cargo ship ran aground off Natuna Island and was wrecked.^[59]
• Wilpas ( Finland): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk by S-311 ( Soviet Navy).^[1]

13 December

• Algol, ( Sweden) :World War II: The cargo ship hit a mine between Trelleborg and Falsterbo (55°19′N 12°28′E / 55.317°N 12.467°E / 55.317; 12.467) and sank. Six crew were rescued. She was salvaged in 1940, repaired and returned to service.
• Ashkabad ( Soviet Union): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Dunkerque, Nord, France by U-57 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 17 crew.^[1][2]
• Deptford ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off Honningsvåg, Finnmark, Norway 62°15′N 05°08′E / 62.250°N 5.133°E / 62.250; 5.133 (Deptford (ship)) by U-38 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 32 of her 37 crew. Survivors were rescued by HNoMS Firda ( Royal Norwegian Navy) and Nordnorge ( Norway).^[1][2][60]
• Indigirka, ( Soviet Union): The Dalstroi passenger ship ran aground when trying to enter the La Perouse Strait with a loss of 741 lives, most of them from the Gulag prison.
• King Egbert ( United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy FS 53: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (4.5 nautical miles (8.3 km) off Happisburgh, Norfolk with the loss of one of her 33 crew.^[2][61]
• HSwMS Manligheten ( Swedish Navy) The ship suffered an onboard explosion which killed six crew.^[1]
• Mina ( Estonia): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea by U-56 ( Kriegsmarine with the loss of all 17 crew.^[62][63]
• Rosa ( Belgium): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 6.5 nautical miles (12.0 km) off the mouth of the Tyne with the loss of one crew member.^[2][64][65]
• HMT William Hallett ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was sunk by a mine 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) off the mouth of the Tyne with the loss of eight of her nine crew. The survivor was rescued by the trawler Ben Arthur ( United Kingdom).^[1][2]

14 December

• F9 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The F-class escort ship was torpedoed, shelled and sunk off Heligoland, Schleswig-Holstein by HMS Ursula ( Royal Navy). 120 crewmen killed. 15 survivors were rescued by Richard Beitzen ( Kriegsmarine).^[1][2][66]
• Inverlane ( United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy FN 54: The tanker was sunk by a mine in the North Sea off Sunderland, Co Durham (55°05′00″N 01°07′00″W / 55.08333°N 1.11667°W / 55.08333; -1.11667) with the loss of 37 of her 40 crew. Her bow section was salvaged, converted to a blockship and sunk at Scapa Flow.^[1]
• HMT James Ludford ( Royal Navy): World War II: The Mersey-class Naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland (55°02′30″N 01°16′15″W / 55.04167°N 1.27083°W / 55.04167; -1.27083) with the loss of 17 of her 18 crew.^[1][2][67]
• HMS Kelly ( Royal Navy): World War II: The K-class destroyer struck a mine in the North Sea and was severely damaged. Repairs took until 28 February 1940 to complete.

15 December

• Germaine ( Greece): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (51°00′N 12°18′W / 51.000°N 12.300°W / 51.000; -12.300) by U-48 ( Kriegsmarine). The crew were rescued by HMS Wanderer ( Royal Navy).^[1][68][69]
• Harfry ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship collided with Luso ( Portugal in the North Sea off Dunkerque, Nord, France and was beached.^[68][70]
• H C Flood ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (55°02′00″N 01°12′00″W / 55.03333°N 1.20000°W / 55.03333; -1.20000) with the loss of four of her 21 crew.^[1][71]
• Rosa ( Belgium): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank off St Mary's Island (55°01′42″N 01°13′00″W / 55.02833°N 1.21667°W / 55.02833; -1.21667).^[1]
• Ragni ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank off the mouth of the Tyne (55°02′N 1°12′W / 55.033°N 1.200°W / 55.033; -1.200) with the loss of six of her 19 crew.^[1][2][72]
• Strindheim ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank off the mouth of the Tyne (55°02′37″N 01°17′35″W / 55.04361°N 1.29306°W / 55.04361; -1.29306) with the loss of nine of her 11 crew.^[1][2]
• Ursus ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea north of North Foreland, Kent (51°35′N 1°36′E / 51.583°N 1.600°E / 51.583; 1.600 with the loss of nine of her 20 crew. Survivors were rescued by the trawler Brindus ( Netherlands).^[5][73]

16 December

• Amble ( United Kingdom): World War II: The tanker struck a [naval mine|mine]] and was damaged in the North Sea off Sunderland, Co Durham. The crew were rescued by HMS Wallace ( Royal Navy). Amble came ashore between Sunderland and Whitburn. She was refloated on 25 December but declared a constructive total loss and scrapped.^[1][2][74]
• HMT Evelina ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler was sunk by a mine off the mouth of the River Tyne with the loss of all nine crew.^[1][2][75]
• Glitrefjell ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (56°14′N 1°04′E / 56.233°N 1.067°E / 56.233; 1.067 by U-59 ( Kriegsmarine) at with the loss of five of her 18 crew. Survivors were rescued by Icarion ( Greece) and HMS Icarus ( Royal Navy).^[1][68][76]
• Lister ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (56°21′N 00°38′E / 56.350°N 0.633°E / 56.350; 0.633) off Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom by U-59 ( Kriegsmarine) 130 nautical miles (240 km). Some survivors were rescued by HMS Eclipse with other reaching the Danish coast in a lifeboat.^[1][68]
• HMT Sedgefly ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler struck a mine and sank off the mouth of the Tyne with the loss of all 16 crew.^[1][2][77]

17 December

• Admiral Graf Spee ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: Battle of the River Plate: The Deutschland-class cruiser was scuttled off Montevideo, Uruguay rather than engage with the Allies or be interned.
• Bogö ( Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 75 nautical miles (139 km) east of the Isle of May, Fife, United Kingdom (56°12′N 0°17′W / 56.200°N 0.283°W / 56.200; -0.283) by U-59 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 17 of her 20 crew. Survivors were rescued by the trawer River Earn ( United Kingdom).^{[1][68][78][79]}
• Compagnus ( United Kingdom): World War II: The fishing vessel was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 150 nautical miles (280 km) east by north of the Isle of May by aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe with the loss of one crew member. Survivors were rescued by Colleague ( United Kingdom).^[68][80]
• Eileen Wray ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and damaged in the North Sea off Hartlepool, Co Durham by aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe. She was towed into port but sank.^[68]
• Isabella Greig ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 145 nautical miles (269 km) east by north of the Isle of May by aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe. All crew were rescued.^[68]
• Jaegersborg ( Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea by U-59 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 18 crew.^[1][81]
• Pearl ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 65 nautical miles (120 km) east by south of the Inner Dowsing Lightship ( United Kingdom) by aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe with the loss of one crew member.^[68][82]
• Serenity ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk 8 nautical miles (15 km) east north east of Whitby, Yorkshire by Luftwaffe aircraft. All eight crew were rescued by a lifeboat.^[1][83]
• Zelos ( United Kingdom: World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 110 nautical miles (200 km) east by north of the Isle of May by aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe.^[68]

18 December

• Active ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the Moray Firth 30 nautical miles (56 km) north by west of Rattray Head, Aberdeenshire, by aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe with the loss of one crew member. Survivors were rescued by Caribineer II ( United Kingdom).^[84]
• Trinity N B ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Kinnaird Head, Aberdeenshire (57°50′N 1°30′W / 57.833°N 1.500°W / 57.833; -1.500) by aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe, with the loss of two crew. Survivors were rescued by Smart ( Denmark).^[68][85]

19 December

• Columbus ( Germany): World War II: The passenger ship was intercepted in the Atlantic Ocean 450 nautical miles (830 km) east of Cape May, New Jersey, United States by HMS Hyperion ( Royal Navy) and was scuttled by her crew with the loss of two lives.
• City of Kobe ( United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy FS 56: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea near the Cross Sands Lightship ( United Kingdom) (52°35′N 1°59′E / 52.583°N 1.983°E / 52.583; 1.983) with the loss of one of her 31 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMT Tumby ( Royal Navy).^[1][68][86]
• Daneden ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea east south east of the Shetland Islands by aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe.^[87]
• Jytte ( Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 18 nautical miles (33 km) off Souter Point, Northumberland, United Kingdom with the loss of ten of her 18 crew. Survivors were rescued by Avance ( Denmark).^[1][2]
• River Earn ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea east north east of Kinnaird Head (58°30′N 2°01′E / 58.500°N 2.017°E / 58.500; 2.017) by aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe. All on board were rescued by Rogaland ( Norway).^[68]
• Uko ( Finland): World War II: The coaster was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 80 nautical miles (150 km) south of Utsire, Rogaland, Norway by Luftwaffe aircraft. All on board were rescued by Sir Ernest Cassel ( Sweden).^[68]

20 December

• Adolph Bratt ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Terschelling, Friesland Netherlands (53°28′N 5°08′E / 53.467°N 5.133°E / 53.467; 5.133) with the loss of five of the 22 people on board. Survivors were rescued by Auskelis ( Latvia)).^[1][68][88]
• Mars ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) east of St Mary's Lightship ( United Kingdom), off Blyth, Northumberland (55°03′48″N 1°23′59″E / 55.06333°N 1.39972°E / 55.06333; 1.39972) with the loss of seven of her 22 crew.^[1][68]
• HMS Napia ( Royal Navy: World War II: The tug struck a mine and sank in The Downs, off Deal, Kent (51°15′45″N 1°25′00″E / 51.26250°N 1.41667°E / 51.26250; 1.41667) with the loss of all eight crew.^[68][89]
• Vega ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was damaged by a mine off Terschelling. She was beached on 21 December near IJmuiden, North Holland but was declared a total loss. The 17 crew were rescued by Venern ( Sweden).^[1][68]

21 December

• HMS Bayonet ( Royal Navy): World War II: The Net-class boom defence vessel struck a mine and sank in the Firth of Forth off Leith, Midlothian with the loss of three of her 31 crew.^[68]
• Carl Henckel ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 90 nautical miles (170 km) off Aberdeen, Scotland (57°00′N 0°17′E / 57.000°N 0.283°E / 57.000; 0.283) with the loss of ten crew and 18 of the 19 crew of Mars ( Sweden). The survivors were rescued by Hop ( Norway).^[1][68][90]
• Comitas ( Italy): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea off the coast of Belgium. She was beached off Vlissingen, Zeeland, Netherlands. She later broke in two, a total loss.^[91]
• Danube IV ( United Kingdom): The tug collided with Southern Prince ( United Kingdom) in the Clyde and sank.^[68]
• Mars ( Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off the Isle of May, Fife (57°00′N 0°20′E / 57.000°N 0.333°E / 57.000; 0.333) by U-21 ( Kriegsmarine). All 19 crew were rescued by Carl Henckel ( Sweden).^[68][92][93]
• Rudolf ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (58°07′N 1°32′E / 58.117°N 1.533°E / 58.117; 1.533) by U-46 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of six of her 13 crew. Survivors were rescued by Biarritz and Bjerka (both  Norway).^{[1][68][94][95]}
• Southern Prince ( United Kingdom): The ship collided with Danube IV( United Kingdom) in the Clyde and was beached. She was refloated on 23 December, repaired and returned to service.^[68]

22 December

• HMT Dromio ( Royal Navy): The naval trawler collided in the North Sea off Whitby, Yorkshire with SS Valentino ( Italy) and sank.^[96]
• Gryfevale ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea off Whitby. She was beached in the Tyne.^[68]
• Longships ( United Kingdom): The Clyde Shipping Company cargo ship ran aground on the Seven Stones Reef, between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. All crew were rescued by the St Mary's lifeboat Cunard ( Royal National Lifeboat Institution). She broke in two a week later.^[1][97]

23 December

• HMS Glen Albyn ( Royal Navy): World War II: The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in Loch Ewe.^[98]
• HMS Dolphin ( Royal Navy): World War II: The decomisioned former repair ship (possibly renamed Pandora) struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (55°06′05″N 01°27′09″W / 55.10139°N 1.45250°W / 55.10139; -1.45250) whilst under tow to be sunk as a blockship. All seven crew were rescued.^[1][68][99]
• Kizilrmak ( Turkey): The cargo ship sank in the Black Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) off the Sinop Lighthouse.^[100]
• HMT Promotive ( Royal Navy): World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper struck a mine and sank in Loch Ewe.^[101]

24 December

• Pegu ( United Kingdom): The passenger ship ran aground off Southport, Lancashire. All 103 passengers rescued by lifeboats. The ship was declared a total loss.^[102]

25 December

• Edenwood ( United Kingdom): The collier collided with HMS Derbyshire ( Royal Navy) and sank in the English Channel east of Bembridge, Isle of Wight.^[68][103]
• Stanholme ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Bristol Channel (51°20′N 3°39′W / 51.333°N 3.650°W / 51.333; -3.650) with the loss of 13 of her 24 crew. Survivors were rescued by Liv ( Norway).^{[1][68][104][105]}
• Lappen ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was sunk by an explosion in the Norwegian Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) off Bergen, Hordaland. The crew were rescued by HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen ( Royal Norwegian Navy). The explosion was later attributed to barratry.^[68][106]
• HMT Loch Doon ( Royal Navy): World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) off Blyth, Northumberland with the loss of all 15 crew.^[1][68]
• Tanger ( Germany): The cargo ship collided with another vessel and sank in the North Sea off Brunsbüttel, Schleswig-Holstein.^[68]
• Torwood ( Norway): World War II: The coaster struck a mine in the Nort Sea west of Karmøy, Rogaland and was damaged. She sank the next day with the loss of four of her 11 crew. Survivors were rescued by Hild ( Norway).^[107]

26 December

• Glücksburg ( Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was intercepted by HMS Wishart ( Royal Navy) and deliberately ran aground by her crew near the Chipiona Lightship ( Spain) at Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain. All crew were rescued by the fishing boat Ciudad de Melilla ( Spain). Glücksberg broke up on 4 January 1940, a total loss.^[1]
• HMS Triumph ( Royal Navy): The T-class submarine struck a mine in the North Sea. She was severely damaged, losing 18 feet (5.5 m) of her bow. Repairs took until 27 September 1940 to complete.

27 December

• Stanholme ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the coast of Norway with the loss of 14 of her 25 crew. The survivors were rescued by a Norwegian ship.^[106]

28 December

• HMT Barbara Robertson ( Royal Navy): World War II: The Mersey-class Naval trawler was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by U-30 ( Kriegsmarine) 35 nautical miles (65 km) north west of the Butt of Lewis with the loss of one of her 17 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Isis ( Royal Navy).^[1][108]
• Hanne ( Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) east of Blyth, Northumberland at 55°06′25″N 01°29′14″E / 55.10694°N 1.48722°E / 55.10694; 1.48722 with the loss of 15 of her 40 crew.^[1][68]
• Reschercho ( United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) off Flamborough Head. All ten crew were rescued.^[109]
• Wilpas ( Finland): World War II: The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Bothnia by ShCh-311 ( Soviet Navy) off Vaasa.^[1][68]

29 December

• Cabo San Antonio ( Spain): The cargo liner caught fire in the Atlantic Ocean 400 nautical miles (740 km) west of Conakry, French Guinea and was abandoned with the loss of five passengers. Survivors were rescued by a French ship. Cabo San Antonio was scuttled by a French warship as she was a danger to navigation.^[110]
• Neptun ( Germany): The coaster ran aground in the Kattegat off Varberg, Halland County, Sweden and was wrecked.^[68]

30 December

• Telma ( Finland): The cargo ship foundered in the Gulf of Bothnia off Oulu.^[111]
• V-704 ( Kriegsmarine): World War II: The vorpostenboot struck a mine and sank.^[112]

31 December

• Adeline ( Belgium): World War II: The fishing vessel was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off the Noordhinder Lightship.^[113]
• Box Hill ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the Humber Lightship ( United Kingdom) (53°32′N 0°24′E / 53.533°N 0.400°E / 53.533; 0.400) with the loss of 20 of her 32 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Ivanhoe ( Royal Navy) and another ship.^[1][114]
• Luna ( Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (58°48′N 2°20′E / 58.800°N 2.333°E / 58.800; 2.333) by U-32 ( Kriegsmarine). The crew were rescued by Colombia ( Norway).^[1][115]

Unknown date

• Maud Mary ( Poland): The schooner sank in Poole Bay.^[116]

References

Ship events in 1939
Ship launches:	1934	1935	1936	1937	1938	1939	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944
Ship commissionings:	1934	1935	1936	1937	1938	1939	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944
Ship decommissionings:	1934	1935	1936	1937	1938	1939	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944
Shipwrecks:	1934	1935	1936	1937	1938	1939	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944

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