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List of shipwrecks in December 1940

Updated: 5/24/2026, 6:54:18 PM Wikipedia source

The list of shipwrecks in December 1940 includes ships sunk, foundered, grounded, or otherwise lost during December 1940.

Tables

Mon
Mon
December 1940
Mon
December 1940
Tue
December 1940
Wed
December 1940
Thu
December 1940
Fri
December 1940
Sat
December 1940
Sun
2
2
December 1940
2
December 1940
3
December 1940
4
December 1940
5
December 1940
6
December 1940
7
December 1940
8
9
9
December 1940
9
December 1940
10
December 1940
11
December 1940
12
December 1940
13
December 1940
14
December 1940
15
16
16
December 1940
16
December 1940
17
December 1940
18
December 1940
19
December 1940
20
December 1940
21
December 1940
22
23
23
December 1940
23
December 1940
24
December 1940
25
December 1940
26
December 1940
27
December 1940
28
December 1940
29
30
30
December 1940
30
December 1940
31
December 1940
Unknown date
References
References
December 1940
References
December 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
31
Unknown date
References
List of shipwrecks: 1 December 1940
Appalachee
Appalachee
Ship
Appalachee
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (54°30′N 20°00′W / 54 °N 20 °W / 54 ; -20 ) by a U-101 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of seven of her 39 crew. Survivors were rescued by Heliotrope ( Royal Navy).
British Officer
British Officer
Ship
British Officer
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: The tanker struck a mine in mouth of the River Tyne and broke in two with the loss of five of her 47 crew. The stern section sank and the bow section was towed to port. It was subsequently scrapped.
Her Majesty
Her Majesty
Ship
Her Majesty
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: The paddle steamer was bombed and sunk at Southampton, Hampshire by Luftwaffe aircraft.
Loch Ranza
Loch Ranza
Ship
Loch Ranza
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean (54°37′N 18°54′W / 54 °N 18 °W / 54 ; -18 ) by U-101 ( Kriegsmarine). She was beached in Rothesay Bay on 9 December. She was subsequently repaired, and returned to service in May 1941.
Oslofjord
Oslofjord
Ship
Oslofjord
State
Norway
Description
World War II: The troopship struck a mine off Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, United Kingdom and was beached at Tynemouth with her back broken. There was one casualty. She broke in two, capsized, and sank in bad weather at 55°0 ′N 1°23 ′W / 55 °N 1 °W / 55 ; -1 on 21–22 January 1941.
Palmella
Palmella
Ship
Palmella
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: Convoy OG 46: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (40°30′N 13°30′W / 40 °N 13 °W / 40 ; -13 ) by U-37 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of her 29 crew. Survivors were rescued by the fishing trawler Navemar ( Spain).
HMCS Saguenay
HMCS Saguenay
Ship
HMCS Saguenay
State
Royal Canadian Navy
Description
World War II: The destroyer was torpedoed 300 miles (480 km) west of Ireland by the Italian submarine Argo ( Regia Marina) while escorting Convoy HG 47. She managed to return to Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire largely under her own power, but with 21 dead and without most of her bow
Santos
Santos
Ship
Santos
State
Germany
Description
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Ostend, West Flanders, Belgium by Royal Air Force aircraft. She was later raised, repaired and returned to service.
Tribesman
Tribesman
Ship
Tribesman
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Cape Verde Islands, Portugal (15°00′N 35°00′W / 15 °N 35 °W / 15 ; -35 ) by Admiral Scheer ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of eight of her 53 crew. Fourteen of her crew were taken as prisoners of war.
Ship
State
Description
Appalachee
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (54°30′N 20°00′W / 54 °N 20 °W / 54 ; -20 ) by a U-101 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of seven of her 39 crew. Survivors were rescued by Heliotrope ( Royal Navy).
British Officer
United Kingdom
World War II: The tanker struck a mine in mouth of the River Tyne and broke in two with the loss of five of her 47 crew. The stern section sank and the bow section was towed to port. It was subsequently scrapped.
Her Majesty
United Kingdom
World War II: The paddle steamer was bombed and sunk at Southampton, Hampshire by Luftwaffe aircraft.
Loch Ranza
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean (54°37′N 18°54′W / 54 °N 18 °W / 54 ; -18 ) by U-101 ( Kriegsmarine). She was beached in Rothesay Bay on 9 December. She was subsequently repaired, and returned to service in May 1941.
Oslofjord
Norway
World War II: The troopship struck a mine off Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, United Kingdom and was beached at Tynemouth with her back broken. There was one casualty. She broke in two, capsized, and sank in bad weather at 55°0 ′N 1°23 ′W / 55 °N 1 °W / 55 ; -1 on 21–22 January 1941.
Palmella
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy OG 46: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (40°30′N 13°30′W / 40 °N 13 °W / 40 ; -13 ) by U-37 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of her 29 crew. Survivors were rescued by the fishing trawler Navemar ( Spain).
HMCS Saguenay
Royal Canadian Navy
World War II: The destroyer was torpedoed 300 miles (480 km) west of Ireland by the Italian submarine Argo ( Regia Marina) while escorting Convoy HG 47. She managed to return to Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire largely under her own power, but with 21 dead and without most of her bow
Santos
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Ostend, West Flanders, Belgium by Royal Air Force aircraft. She was later raised, repaired and returned to service.
Tribesman
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Cape Verde Islands, Portugal (15°00′N 35°00′W / 15 °N 35 °W / 15 ; -35 ) by Admiral Scheer ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of eight of her 53 crew. Fourteen of her crew were taken as prisoners of war.
List of shipwrecks: 2 December 1940
Conch
Conch
Ship
Conch
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The tanker straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and severely damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 370 nautical miles (690 km) west of Bloody Foreland, County Donegal, Ireland (55°40′N 19°00′W / 55 °N 19 °W / 55 ; -19 ) by U-47 ( Kriegsmarine). She was torpedoed and sunk the next day at that location by
HMS Forfar
HMS Forfar
Ship
HMS Forfar
State
Royal Navy
Description
World War II: The armed merchant cruiser was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (54°35′N 18°18′W / 54 °N 18 °W / 54 ; -18 ) by U-99 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 173 of her 194 crew. Survivors were rescued by Dunsley ( United Kingdom), HMCS St. Laurent ( Royal Canadian Navy) and HMS Viscount ( Royal Navy).
Goodleigh
Goodleigh
Ship
Goodleigh
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (55°02′N 18°45′W / 55 °N 18 °W / 55 ; -18 ) by U-52 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of her 37 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Viscount ( Royal Navy).
Gwalia
Gwalia
Ship
Gwalia
State
Sweden
Description
World War II: Convoy OG 46: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal (39°22′N 14°22′W / 39 °N 14 °W / 39 ; -14 ) by U-37 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of sixteen of her 21 crew. Survivors were rescued by a Royal Navy destroyer.
Jeanne M.
Jeanne M.
Ship
Jeanne M.
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: Convoy OG 46: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (39°19′N 13°54′W / 39 °N 13 °W / 39 ; -13 ) by U-37 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of seven of her 26 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMT Erin ( Royal Navy).
Jolly Girls
Jolly Girls
Ship
Jolly Girls
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: The coaster struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland. Her crew were rescued.
Kavak
Kavak
Ship
Kavak
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (55°00′N 19°30′W / 55 °N 19 °W / 55 ; -19 ) by U-101 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 25 of her 41 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Viscount ( Royal Navy).
Kilgarran Castle
Kilgarran Castle
Ship
Kilgarran Castle
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: The fishing trawler was bombed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (51°21′N 8°35′W / 51 °N 8 °W / 51 ; -8 ) by Heinkel He 115 aircraft of Küstenfliegergruppe 406, Luftwaffe.
Lady Glanely
Lady Glanely
Ship
Lady Glanely
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (55°00′N 20°00′W / 55 °N 20 °W / 55 ; -20 ) by U-101 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 33 crew.
Pacific President
Pacific President
Ship
Pacific President
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (56°04′N 18°45′W / 56 °N 18 °W / 56 ; -18 ) by U-43 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 51 crew.
Samnanger
Samnanger
Ship
Samnanger
State
Norway
Description
World War II: Convoy OB 251: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 54°N 18°W / 54°N 18°W / 54; -18) by U-99 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 30 crew.
Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire
Ship
Stirlingshire
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 280 nautical miles (520 km) west of Bloody Foreland (55°36′N 16°22′W / 55 °N 16 °W / 55 ; -16 ) by U-94 ( Kriegsmarine). Her 74 crew were rescued by Empire Pride ( United Kingdom).
Tasso
Tasso
Ship
Tasso
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (55°03′N 18°04′W / 55 °N 18 °W / 55 ; -18 ) by U-52 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of her 32 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Viscount ( Royal Navy).
Victor Ross
Victor Ross
Ship
Victor Ross
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Outer Hebrides (56°04′N 18°30′W / 56 °N 18 °W / 56 ; -18 ) by U-43 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 44 crew.
Ville d'Arlon
Ville d'Arlon
Ship
Ville d'Arlon
State
Belgium
Description
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The passenger ship straggled behind the convoy due to defects with her steering. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean, (55°00′N 19°30′W / 55 °N 19 °W / 55 ; -19 ) by U-47 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 56 people on board.
Wilhelmina
Wilhelmina
Ship
Wilhelmina
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (55°43′N 15°06′W / 55 °N 15 °W / 55 ; -15 ) by U-94 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of her 39 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Gentian ( Royal Navy).
Ship
State
Description
Conch
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The tanker straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and severely damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 370 nautical miles (690 km) west of Bloody Foreland, County Donegal, Ireland (55°40′N 19°00′W / 55 °N 19 °W / 55 ; -19 ) by U-47 ( Kriegsmarine). She was torpedoed and sunk the next day at that location by
HMS Forfar
Royal Navy
World War II: The armed merchant cruiser was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (54°35′N 18°18′W / 54 °N 18 °W / 54 ; -18 ) by U-99 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 173 of her 194 crew. Survivors were rescued by Dunsley ( United Kingdom), HMCS St. Laurent ( Royal Canadian Navy) and HMS Viscount ( Royal Navy).
Goodleigh
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (55°02′N 18°45′W / 55 °N 18 °W / 55 ; -18 ) by U-52 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of her 37 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Viscount ( Royal Navy).
Gwalia
Sweden
World War II: Convoy OG 46: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal (39°22′N 14°22′W / 39 °N 14 °W / 39 ; -14 ) by U-37 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of sixteen of her 21 crew. Survivors were rescued by a Royal Navy destroyer.
Jeanne M.
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy OG 46: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (39°19′N 13°54′W / 39 °N 13 °W / 39 ; -13 ) by U-37 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of seven of her 26 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMT Erin ( Royal Navy).
Jolly Girls
United Kingdom
World War II: The coaster struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland. Her crew were rescued.
Kavak
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (55°00′N 19°30′W / 55 °N 19 °W / 55 ; -19 ) by U-101 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 25 of her 41 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Viscount ( Royal Navy).
Kilgarran Castle
United Kingdom
World War II: The fishing trawler was bombed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (51°21′N 8°35′W / 51 °N 8 °W / 51 ; -8 ) by Heinkel He 115 aircraft of Küstenfliegergruppe 406, Luftwaffe.
Lady Glanely
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (55°00′N 20°00′W / 55 °N 20 °W / 55 ; -20 ) by U-101 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 33 crew.
Pacific President
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (56°04′N 18°45′W / 56 °N 18 °W / 56 ; -18 ) by U-43 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 51 crew.
Samnanger
Norway
World War II: Convoy OB 251: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 54°N 18°W / 54°N 18°W / 54; -18) by U-99 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 30 crew.
Stirlingshire
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 280 nautical miles (520 km) west of Bloody Foreland (55°36′N 16°22′W / 55 °N 16 °W / 55 ; -16 ) by U-94 ( Kriegsmarine). Her 74 crew were rescued by Empire Pride ( United Kingdom).
Tasso
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (55°03′N 18°04′W / 55 °N 18 °W / 55 ; -18 ) by U-52 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of her 32 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Viscount ( Royal Navy).
Victor Ross
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Outer Hebrides (56°04′N 18°30′W / 56 °N 18 °W / 56 ; -18 ) by U-43 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 44 crew.
Ville d'Arlon
Belgium
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The passenger ship straggled behind the convoy due to defects with her steering. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean, (55°00′N 19°30′W / 55 °N 19 °W / 55 ; -19 ) by U-47 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 56 people on board.
Wilhelmina
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (55°43′N 15°06′W / 55 °N 15 °W / 55 ; -15 ) by U-94 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of her 39 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Gentian ( Royal Navy).
List of shipwrecks: 3 December 1940
Victoria City
Victoria City
Ship
Victoria City
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by U-140 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 43 crew.
W. Hendrik
W. Hendrik
Ship
W. Hendrik
State
United Kingdom
Description
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (56°26′N 12°20′W / 56 °N 12 °W / 56 ; -12 ) by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of five of her 35 crew.
Ship
State
Description
Victoria City
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by U-140 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 43 crew.
W. Hendrik
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 90: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (56°26′N 12°20′W / 56 °N 12 °W / 56 ; -12 ) by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of five of her 35 crew.
List of shipwrecks: 4 December 1940
Daphne
Daphne
Ship
Daphne
State
Sweden
Description
World War II: Convoy OG 46: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Cabo Espichel, Portugal (38°12′N 9°26′W / 38 °N 9 °W / 38 ; -9 ) by U-37 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of eighteen of her nineteen crew.
Edwin Duke
Edwin Duke
Ship
Edwin Duke
State
United States
Description
The tug sank during a storm in 55 feet (17 m) of water in the North Atlantic Ocean off Jones Beach Island south of Long Island, New York. USCGC Pontchartrain ( United States Coast Guard) took off her crew before she sank.
Empire Seaman
Empire Seaman
Ship
Empire Seaman
State
United Kingdom
Description
The cargo ship was scuttled as a blockship at a British Channel port, or in East Weddell Sound (58°52′17″N 2°54′33″W / 58 °N 2 °W / 58 ; -2 ).
Helene
Helene
Ship
Helene
State
Belgium
Description
World War II: The fishing trawler struck a mine and sank off Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom (51°41′N 5°09′W / 51 °N 5 °W / 51 ; -5 ).
Skogheim
Skogheim
Ship
Skogheim
State
Norway
Description
The cargo ship ran aground near the Songvår Lighthouse, Søgne and was wrecked. Her 26 crew survived.
Ship
State
Description
Daphne
Sweden
World War II: Convoy OG 46: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Cabo Espichel, Portugal (38°12′N 9°26′W / 38 °N 9 °W / 38 ; -9 ) by U-37 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of eighteen of her nineteen crew.
Edwin Duke
United States
The tug sank during a storm in 55 feet (17 m) of water in the North Atlantic Ocean off Jones Beach Island south of Long Island, New York. USCGC Pontchartrain ( United States Coast Guard) took off her crew before she sank.
Empire Seaman
United Kingdom
The cargo ship was scuttled as a blockship at a British Channel port, or in East Weddell Sound (58°52′17″N 2°54′33″W / 58 °N 2 °W / 58 ; -2 ).
Helene
Belgium
World War II: The fishing trawler struck a mine and sank off Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom (51°41′N 5°09′W / 51 °N 5 °W / 51 ; -5 ).
Skogheim
Norway
The cargo ship ran aground near the Songvår Lighthouse, Søgne and was wrecked. Her 26 crew survived.

References

  1. "Naval Events, December 1940, Part 1 of 2, Sunday 1st – Saturday 14th"
    http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4012-25DEC01.htm
  2. "Appalachee"
    http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/686.html
  3. "SS British Officer (aft part) (+1940)"
    http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?12578
  4. The World's Merchant Fleets, 1939
  5. "Loch Ranza"
    http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/685.html
  6. The Times
  7. "MV Oslofjord (+1940)"
    http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?569
  8. Warsailors
    http://warsailors.com/singleships/oslofjord.html
  9. Pictorial Encyclopedia of Ocean Liners, 1860-1994
    https://archive.org/details/pictorialencyclo0000mill
  10. "SS Palmella (+1940)"
    http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?156227
  11. "Palmella"
    http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/683.html
  12. "Regia Marina Italiana"
    http://www.regiamarina.net/detail_text_with_list.asp?nid=84&lid=1&cid=4
  13. "Santos (+1940)"
    http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?87235
  14. "SS Tribesman (+1940)"
    http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?37436
  15. "SS Conch (+1940)"
    http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?30826
  16. "Conch"
    http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/703.html
  17. "SS Goodleigh (+1940)"
    http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?13014
  18. "Goodleigh"
    http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/694.html
  19. The Times
  20. "SS Gwalior (+1940)"
    http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?14982
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