List of shipwrecks in December 1941

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The list of shipwrecks in December 1941 includes all ships sunk, foundered, grounded, or otherwise lost during December 1941.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

1 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 1 December 1941
Ship State Description
Adriatico  Regia Marina World War II: The armed merchant cruiser was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea, 65 nautical miles (120 km) north of Benghazi, Libya by Force K, Royal Navy.[Note 1] HMS Lively ( Royal Navy) rescued 21 survivors, while 66 others were rescued by the destroyer Giovanni da Verrazzano ( Regia Marina). There were nine or eleven fatalities.
Alvise da Mosto  Regia Marina World War II: The Navigatori-class destroyer was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by HMS Aurora ( Royal Navy) with the loss of 138 of her 263 crew.[1][2]
Hilde  Estonia World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and damaged by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was scuttled at Hanko, Finland.[3]
Iridio Mantovani  Italy World War II: The tanker, already damaged by aerial bombing from British aircraft, was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (35°50′N 12°50′E / 35.833°N 12.833°E / 35.833; 12.833) by HMS Aurora ( Royal Navy) with the loss of 49 of her 83 crew.[1][4][5][6]
Python  Kriegsmarine World War II: The supply ship was intercepted in the South Atlantic (27°53′S 3°55′W / 27.883°S 3.917°W / -27.883; -3.917) by HMS Dorsetshire ( Royal Navy) and was scuttled by her crew without loss of life. A total of 414 survivors were rescued by UA, U-68, U-124, U-129 (all  Kriegsmarine), Giuseppe Finzi, Enrico Tazzoli Luigi Torelli, and Pietro Calvi (all  Regia Marina).[7][8]
St. Leonard No.1  United Kingdom World War II: The fishing trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea (60°58′N 1°10′W / 60.967°N 1.167°W / 60.967; -1.167) by Luftwaffe aircraft. Her ten crew were rescued.[7]
Tasuja  Soviet Union World War II: The icebreaker was hit by a German bomb that did not detonate until the ship returned to Kronstadt Harbour, sinking her. Thirteen of her crew were killed.[3]

2 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 2 December 1941
Ship State Description
Astral  United States World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (35°40′N 24°00′W / 35.667°N 24.000°W / 35.667; -24.000) by U-43 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 37 crew.[7]
British Captain  United Kingdom World War II: The tanker struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (52°13′01″N 1°54′14″E / 52.21694°N 1.90389°E / 52.21694; 1.90389) with the loss of one of her 54 crew.[7][9]
Cavarna  Romania World War II: The passenger ship was sunk by a mine in the Black Sea 15 miles (24 km) east of Burgas, Bulgaria.[10][11]
Cordelia  Germany World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Black Sea off Constanța, Romania.[12]
Fjord  Norway World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Estepona, Spain by U-557 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of fourteen of her 35 crew.[7][13][14]
Grelhead  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) north of Point Negri, Morocco by U-562 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 41 of her 43 crew.[7][15]
DPk 50 Hollandia  Kriegsmarine World War II: The patrol boat struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea off Kolberg.[12]
M 529  Kriegsmarine World War II: The Type 1916 minesweeper struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea off Kolberg.[12] Ten of her crew were killed.[16][circular reference]

3 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 3 December 1941
Ship State Description
F 160  Kriegsmarine The Type A Marinefährprahm was damaged by heavy seas between Tripoli and Benghazi, Libya when her bow doors failed and was later scuttled. Her crew were rescued by Perseo ( Regia Marina).[17][18]
I-17  Soviet Navy The tug foundered in the Gulf of Finland. Her crew were rescued by the destroyer Svirepy ( Soviet Navy).[19]
Kuha 3  Finnish Navy World War II: Continuation War: The minesweeper struck a mine and sank in Björkösund. She was later salvaged, repaired and returned to service.[12]
Maclaren  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Bristol Channel south of Cardiff, Glamorgan (51°21′21″N 3°17′17″W / 51.35583°N 3.28806°W / 51.35583; -3.28806) with the loss of three of her 31 crew. The wreck was dispersed by explosives between 1 July and 31 December 1943.[7][20]
OR-9  Soviet Navy The patrol boat sank in the Gulf of Finland. Her crew were rescued.[19]
OR-10  Soviet Navy The patrol boat foundered off Hogland.[19]
Sagadahoc  United States World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (21°20′S 7°50′W / 21.333°S 7.833°W / -21.333; -7.833) by U-124 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of one of her 35 crew.[7][21]
SF 29  Kriegsmarine The Siebel ferry was wrecked on this date.[citation needed]
UJ-1708 Faroer  Kriegsmarine World War II: The patrol boat/naval trawler was torpedoed, or shelled, and sunk off Rolvsøy by K-3 ( Soviet Navy) with the loss of all hands, between 48 and 56 men.[7][22][23]
Virsaitis  Soviet Navy World War II: The Virsaitis-class minesweeper struck a mine and sank in the Gulf of Finland off Hanko, Finland. Seventy crewmen and 150 troops were rescued, but 130 troops were killed.[12][19]
VT-521  Soviet Navy
Iosif Stalin.
World War II: Continuation War: The troopship, a converted Iosif Stalin-class passenger ship, was sunk when she struck three mines, and then was hit by a 12-inch (300 mm) shell from Finnish coast artillery while evacuating troops from the Hanko naval base. Only 1,740 of the 5,589 people on board could be rescued, some of them by M-205, M-211, M-215, M-217 (all  Soviet Navy) and five Soviet Navy patrol boats. The ship then drifted half-submerged till beaching at Lohusalu bay, Estonia where the wreck was still partly above water. About 3,000 were captured and 841 were killed. VT-521 was raised, towed to Tallinn in July 1945 and scrapped.[24]
No. 112  Soviet Navy The PK-115 Type MO-2 patrol boat was lost on this date.[citation needed]

4 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 4 December 1941
Ship State Description
Edith Faulbaums  Germany World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank off Warnemunde.[7]
Eridano  Italy World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Ionian Sea off Argostoli, Greece by HMS Trusty ( Royal Navy). There were four missing and 33 survivors.[7][25]
Vestri  Norway World War II: The coaster was bombed and damaged off the Tungenes Lighthouse, Norway, by Royal Air Force aircraft. She was beached and burnt out. Four of her crew were killed.[26]

5 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 5 December 1941
Ship State Description
Agia Eirini Greece Greece The coaster sank due to a misplaced cargo off Kalamos with the loss of six of the seven people on board.[27]
HMS Chakdina  Royal Navy World War II: The armed boarding vessel was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea between Tobruk, Libya and Alexandria, Egypt (31°11′N 24°30′E / 31.183°N 24.500°E / 31.183; 24.500) by a Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero aircraft of the Regia Aeronautica with the loss of around 400 lives among the 600-plus people on board (including 380 wounded and 100 German and Italian prisoners of war). About 200 of the survivors were rescued by HMS Farndale and HMT Thorgrim (both  Royal Navy)[7][28][29]
Island  Norway World War II: The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Barents Sea (71°07′N 27°54′E / 71.117°N 27.900°E / 71.117; 27.900) by HMS Sealion ( Royal Navy).[30]
Kai  Denmark The cargo ship (1,746 GRT, 1921) sank in the Wadden Sea between Terschelling and Ameland, Friesland in a storm. Her nineteen crew were rescued.[31][32]

6 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 6 December 1941
Ship State Description
Equator  Finland The cargo ship ran aground near Luleå, Sweden. She was refloated but consequently sank in the Baltic Sea (65°20′07″N 22°15′00″E / 65.33528°N 22.25000°E / 65.33528; 22.25000). Her crew survived.[33]
Greenland  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (52°14′30″N 1°56′30″E / 52.24167°N 1.94167°E / 52.24167; 1.94167) with the loss of nine of her crew.[7]
Hada County  Norway The cargo ship ran aground on Brazil Shoal — a reef off Grand Manan, New Brunswick, Canada (44°36.378′N 066°41.261′W / 44.606300°N 66.687683°W / 44.606300; -66.687683 (Hada County)) and was wrecked. There were no casualties.[34][35]
HMS Perseus  Royal Navy World War II: The Parthian-class submarine struck a mine and sank in the Ionian Sea off Zante Cephalonia, Greece with the loss of 60 of her 61 crew.
Scottish Trader  United Kingdom World War II: Convoy SC 56: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Iceland by U-131 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 43 crew.[7][36]
ShCh-204  Soviet Navy World War II: The Shchuka-class submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the Black Sea south south east of Varna, Bulgaria (42°53′N 28°03′E / 42.883°N 28.050°E / 42.883; 28.050) by Bulgarian Air Force or Luftwaffe aircraft and/or by Bulgarian Navy submarine chasers with the loss of all 42 crew.[12][37]
Unnamed Flag unknown World War II: A schooner was destroyed with Molotov cocktails by Soviet Special Landing Forces during a raid on Yevpatoria, Soviet Union.[38]

7 December[edit]

See also: List of United States Navy ships present at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941
List of shipwrecks: 7 December 1941
Ship State Description
USS Arizona  United States Navy
USS Arizona
World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: The Pennsylvania-class battleship was bombed and sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft with the loss of 1,177 of her 1,400 crew after her forward ammunition magazine ignited from an armor-piercing bomb.
USS California  United States Navy World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: The Tennessee-class battleship was torpedoed and sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft with the loss of 100 of her 1,083 crew. She was refloated on 25 March 1942, repaired and returned to service.
USS Cassin  United States Navy
USS Downes and USS Cassin
World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: The Mahan-class destroyer was bombed and damaged by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft. Initially assessed as a total loss, she was later repaired and returned to service.
HMS Chantala  Royal Navy World War II: The armed boarding vessel struck a mine and sank at Tobruk, Libya with the loss of four of her crew.[7]
Cynthia Olson  United States
Cynthia Olson sinking.
World War II: The steam cargo ship was sunk by gunfire in the Pacific Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km; 350 mi) off San Francisco, California, at 33°42′N 145°29′W / 33.700°N 145.483°W / 33.700; -145.483 by the submarine I-26 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). All 35 people on board survived the sinking and abandoned ship in two lifeboats. The submarine I-19 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) provided them with food on 8 December, but after that they were never seen or heard from again.[7]
USS Downes  United States Navy World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: The Mahan-class destroyer was bombed and damaged by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft. Initially assessed as a total loss, she was later repaired and returned to service.
Ha-19  Imperial Japanese Navy World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: The midget submarine ran aground a number of times near the entrance to Pearl Harbor. Her two-man crew temporarily was overcome by chlorine gas leaking from her battery. Her crew abandoned ship after lighting scuttling charges which failed to detonate. Her commanding officer survived and was captured, becoming the first prisoner-of-war captured by the United States in World War II; her other crewman drowned.[39]
M-16, and
M-22 		 Imperial Japanese Navy World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: One of the midget submarines disappeared in or near Pearl Harbor after firing its torpedoes at USS St. Louis ( United States Navy). The other entered the harbor and fired torpedoes at American ships. She was fired upon by the seaplane tenders USS Curtiss and USS Tangier and the repair ship USS Medusa (all  United States Navy), then was rammed, depth charged, and sunk by the destroyer USS Monaghan ( United States Navy) in Pearl Harbor northwest of Ford Island.[40]
M-18  Imperial Japanese Navy World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: Possibly the midget submarine that was depth charged and sunk in Keehi Lagoon near Pearl Harbor.[40]
M-20  Imperial Japanese Navy World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: Possibly the midget submarine that was shelled, depth charged, and sunk by the destroyer USS Ward ( United States Navy) while trying to follow the general stores issue ship USS Antares ( United States Navy) into Pearl Harbor.[40]
USS Nevada  United States Navy
USS Nevada
World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: The Nevada-class battleship was torpedoed and damaged by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft. She was beached in a sinking condition at Hospital Point. Ahw was refloated on 12 February 1942, repaired and returned to service.
USS Oglala  United States Navy
USS Oglala
World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: The minelayer was torpedoed and sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft. She was refloated on 3 July 1942, repaired and returned to service.
USS Oklahoma  United States Navy World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: The Nevada-class battleship was torpedoed and sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft with the loss of 429 of her 1,398 crew.
Sauternes  United Kingdom The cargo ship foundered in a gale in Fugloyarfjørður, Faroe Islands with the loss of all 25 people on board.[41]
Severn Transport  United Kingdom World War II: The coaste struck a mine and sank in the Bristol Channel (51°27′N 3°04′W / 51.450°N 3.067°W / 51.450; -3.067). Her four crew survived.[7]
USS Shaw  United States Navy
USS Shaw
World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: The Mahan-class destroyer was bombed and sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft whilst drydocked in USS YFD-2 ( United States Navy). She was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.
USS Sotoyomo  United States Navy World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: The harbor tug was sunk while drydocked in YFD-2 ( United States Navy) when USS Shaw ( United States Navy), also in the drydock, was bombed and sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft. She was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.[42]
U-208  Kriegsmarine World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Gibraltar (35°51′N 7°45′W / 35.850°N 7.750°W / 35.850; -7.750) by HMS Harvester and HMS Hesperus (both  Royal Navy) with the loss of all 45 crew.[43]
USS Utah  United States Navy
USS Utah
World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: The target ship, a former Florida-class battleship, was torpedoed and sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft with the loss of 58 of her 519 crew.
USS Vestal  United States Navy
USS Vestal
World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: The repair ship was bombed and damaged at Pearl Harbor by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft and was beached. She was refloated within a week, repaired and returned to service.
Welsh Prince  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and was abandoned in the North Sea off Spurn Head, Yorkshire (53°24′N 0°59′E / 53.400°N 0.983°E / 53.400; 0.983. Her 47 crew were rescued. She ran aground, broke in two and sank.[7][44][45]
USS West Virginia  United States Navy
USS West Virginia (right)
World War II: Attack on Pearl Harbor: The Colorado-class battleship was torpedoed and sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft with the loss of at least 69 of her 1,407 crew. She was refloated on 17 May 1942, repaired and returned to service.
HMCS Windflower  Royal Canadian Navy World War II: Convoy SC 58: The Flower-class corvette collided with Zypenberg ( Netherlands) in the Grand Banks of Newfoundland (46°19′N 49°30′W / 46.317°N 49.500°W / 46.317; -49.500) and sank with the loss of 23 of her 85 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMCS Pictou ( Royal Canadian Navy) and HMS Nasturtium ( Royal Navy).[7]

8 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 8 December 1941
Ship State Description
Awazisan Maru  Imperial Japanese Army World War II: The troopship was bombed by a Lockheed Hudson aircraft of 1 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force. She caught fire and was abandoned off Kota Bharu, Malaya (6°08′N 102°16′E / 6.133°N 102.267°E / 6.133; 102.267). She was later sunk on 12 December at (6°08′N 102°16′E / 6.133°N 102.267°E / 6.133; 102.267) by HNLMS K XII ( Royal Netherlands Navy) with the loss of a crew member. Survivors were rescued by CH-9, and possibly by Ayanami and Shikinami (all  Imperial Japanese Navy). At least one landing craft was lost.[46][47][48]
Capillo  United States World War II: The World War I Design 1022 cargo ship was bombed and damaged in Manila Bay, Philippines by Japanese aircraft. She was scuttled in shallow water off Corregidor by a United States Army demolition team on 11 December. The wreck was bombed again and set afire on 29 or 31 December.[46][49][50]
Celebes Maru No. 3  Japan World War II: The fishing lugger was strafed and damaged by a Dutch Navy Dornier Do 24 aircraft five miles (8.0 km) south of Sajang Island (00°10′N 129°54′E / 0.167°N 129.900°E / 0.167; 129.900). She was beached on the south west tip of Tobi Island (03°00′N 131°07′E / 3.000°N 131.117°E / 3.000; 131.117) on 11 December to prevent sinking and was abandoned.[51]
Fireglow  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine in the North Sea and sank with the loss of a crew member.[7]
Gertie  United Kingdom World War II: The coaster struck a mine and sank in the Irish Sea two nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) north east of the Tuskar Rock Lighthouse. Her crew were rescued by the Rosslare lifeboat.[7][52]
Hai Hsiang  China World War II: The cargo ship was sunk by the Japanese at Shanghai. She was raised and scrapped post-war.[7][53]
Hsin Peking  United Kingdom World War II: The ship was beached at the mouth of the Yangtze Estuary to prevent capture. Refloated and put in Japanese service as Rakuzan Maru.[7]
Lord Shrewsbury  United Kingdom World War II: The fishing trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea with the loss of all ten crew.[7]
HMT Milford Earl  Royal Navy World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and sunk in Lunan Bay, Angus by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of five of her ten crew.[7][54]
Nisqually  United States World War II: The World War I Design 1023 ship, converted to a scow, was bombed and sunk by Japanese aircraft at Wake Island.[55]
USS Penguin  United States Navy World War II: Battle of Guam: The Lapwing-class minesweeper was scuttled in Agana Harbor.
HMS Peterel  Royal Navy World War II: The river gunboat was shelled and sunk at Shanghai, China by Izumo ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Six of her eighteen crew aboard were killed.[56][57]
HMT Phineas Beard  Royal Navy World War II: The Castle-class naval trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Peterhead, Aberdeenshire by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of twelve of her crew.[7][12][58]
HMIS Prabhavati  Royal Indian Navy World War II: The patrol vessel, mistaken for a surfaced Japanese submarine, was shelled and sunk in the Indian Ocean just after midnight by HMS Glasgow ( Royal Navy) with the loss of 23 of her 63 crew. Survivors, including twelve wounded, were rescued by HMS Glasgow. One of them died of wounds later. A barge that she was towing/pushing was sunk with Prabhavati. Two barges were sunk by HMS Glasgow after daylight.[7][57][59][60]
President Harrison  United States Navy World War II: Under pursuit by Japanese ships and aircraft the United States Navy-chartered passenger ship was run aground on Shaweishan Island off the Yangtze delta at 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) to rip her bottom out and deny her use to the Japanese. President Harrison struck the edge of the island on her port side and then rolled off. The impact ripped a hole 90 feet (27 m) long, but does not reach the engine room spaces. The ship almost turned over, but righted herself. Strong currents then carried her off the rocks and she settled on a mud bank. Her crew and Marines aboard abandoned ship, but the ship's exposed turning propeller splits one lifeboat in half, killing three men and severely injuring many others. She was later refloated, repaired, and put in service by the Japanese as Kakko Maru.[61]
Ravnaas  Norway World War II: The cargo ship was sunk in the Philippine Sea east of Samar Island by Japanese aircraft.[62] She was subsequently salvaged, repaired and entered Japanese service as Ikutagawa Maru.[63]
Soochow  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo liner was scuttled at Hong Kong. She was raised in 1942, repaired and put in Japanese service as Tozan Maru.[7][64][65]
HMS St Dominic  Royal Navy World War II: The Saint-class tug was sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy surface ships south of the Saddle Islands, near the mouth of the Yangtze.[7][66]
Sumatra  Italy World War II: The ocean liner was scuttled at Phuket, Thailand.[7][67]
Volpi  Italy World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled at Phuket.[7][68]
XXVIII Ottobre  Italy World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled at Phuket.[7]

9 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 9 December 1941
Ship State Description
Bjønn  Germany World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Hustadvika, Norway, with the loss of four of her crew.[12][69][70]
M 1206 Bürgermeister Schmidt  Kriegsmarine World War II: The minesweeper was bombed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Brest, Finistère, France by Royal Air Force aircraft.[12]
Donerail  Panama World War II: The tanker was shelled and sunk in the Pacific Ocean (approximately 8°N 152°W / 8°N 152°W / 8; -152) by I-10 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) with the loss of 32 lives. Eight crewmen survived the sinking and the 38-day voyage in the lifeboat to Tarawa, Gilbert Islands.[7]
Kantung  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled as a blockship at Anking, China.[7]
Kokoku Maru  Japan World War II: The auxiliary schooner, serving as a pearling boat mother ship, was bombed and sunk east of Halmahera Island by a Dornier Do 24 aircraft of the Netherlands Naval Aviation Service. Ten of her sixteen crew were killed. Survivors were rescued by Celebes Maru No. 3 ( Japan).[51]
Macau  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled as a blockship at Anking.[7]
Madrid  Kriegsmarine World War II: The depot ship was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Den Helder, North Holland, Netherlands by Royal Air Force aircraft with the loss of twelve lives.[7][71][72]
Nimanoa  United Kingdom World War II: The ketch was scuttled at Tarawa to prevent capture.[73]
On Lee  United Kingdom World War II: The passenger ship was scuttled at Hong Kong.[7]
Sebastiano Veniero  Nazi Germany World War II: The prisoner of war (POW)-carrying requisitioned cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea off Navarino by HMS Porpoise ( Royal Navy) and was beached. She was torpedoed and totally wrecked on 15 December off Cape Methene by HMS Torbay ( Royal Navy). Two hundred Commonwealth prisoners of war were killed; 1,800 prisoners of war were rescued by Arno ( Italy).[7][74][75]
Saint Denis France Vichy France World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south of the Balearic Islands, Spain by U-652 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of three of her crew.[7][76][77][78]
Steinbek  Germany World War II: In an instance of naval friendly fire, the cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Barents Sea off Tanafjord, Norway (71°09′N 29°25′E / 71.150°N 29.417°E / 71.150; 29.417) by U-134 ( Kriegsmarine), uninformed of the German convoy proceeding in the area. There were twelve dead and twelve survivors.[7][79][80]

10 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 10 December 1941
Ship State Description
HMS Banka  Royal Navy World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper struck a mine and sank in the South China Sea off Tioman Island, Philippines with the loss of 43 of her 49 crew.[7][81]
USS Bittern  United States Navy World War II: The Lapwing-class minesweeper was scuttled in Manila Bay following damage received in an Imperial Japanese Navy air raid on Cavite Navy Yard, Manila, Philippines.
Cetus Philippines World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled in the Philippines. She was later raised, repaired, and put in Japanese service as Hokuhi Maru.[82][83]
Chungshan  United Kingdom The cargo ship was scuttled at Hong Kong.[7]
Harledawins  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the South China Sea 8 miles (13 km) west of Barigayos Point, Luzon, Philippines by I-124 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Her crew were rescued.[7][12]
Helena A  United Kingdom The auxiliary sailing ship ran aground on Butaritari, Gilbert Islands and was wrecked.[7]
Hsin Fuhle  United Kingdom World War II: The tug) was sunk at Hong Kong by enemy action.[7]
I-70  Imperial Japanese Navy World War II: The Kaidai-class submarine was sunk in the Pacific Ocean (23°45′N 155°35′W / 23.750°N 155.583°W / 23.750; -155.583) by Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber aircraft based on USS Enterprise ( United States Navy). Lost with all 93 hands.[7][84]
Kincorth  United Kingdom World War II: The drifter struck a mine and sank in the Irish Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) off Point Lynas Lighthouse, Anglesey with the loss of all eleven of her crew.[7][85]
Kirnwood  United Kingdom World War II: Convoy SC 57: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (56°57′N 16°35′W / 56.950°N 16.583°W / 56.950; -16.583) by U-130 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of twelve of her 45 crew. Survivors were rescued by Dewsbury ( United Kingdom).[86]
Kurdistan  United Kingdom World War II: Convoy SC 57: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (56°51′N 16°36′W / 56.850°N 16.600°W / 56.850; -16.600) by U-130 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of ten of the 66 people on board. Survivors were rescued by HMS Kingcup ( Royal Navy).[87]
M-54  Soviet Navy The M-class submarine ran aground in the Black Sea off Tuapse. She was refloated on 30 June 1942 and towed in to Anapa.[19]
Mauna Ala  United States The cargo ship had been carrying Christmas supplies to Hawaii. Due to the attack on Pearl Harbor, she was rerouted to Portland, Oregon. During the ensuing blackout on the west coast, she ran aground at Clatsop Beach, Oregon (45°30′N 122°45′W / 45.500°N 122.750°W / 45.500; -122.750) and was wrecked.[88][89][90]
Oigawa Maru  Imperial Japanese Army World War II: Vigan Invasion Force: The Type 1A Standard transport was bombed and damaged off Pandan, near Vigan, Luzon by Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft of the Far East Air Forces' 14th Bomb Squadron. She was beached at Aparri, Philippines. Oigawa Maru was later refloated, repaired, returned to service.[91]
Oregon  United States The cargo ship collided with USS New Mexico ( United States Navy) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean (39°55′N 69°45′W / 39.917°N 69.750°W / 39.917; -69.750) with the loss of seventeen of her crew.[92]
HMS Prince of Wales  Royal Navy World War II: Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse: The King George V-class battleship was bombed and sunk in the South China Sea east of Kuantan, Malaya by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft with the loss of 327 of her 1,521 crew.
HMS Repulse  Royal Navy World War II: Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse: The Renown-class battlecruiser was bombed and sunk in the South China Sea east of Kuantan by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft with the loss of 508 of her 967 crew.
USS Santa Rita  United States Navy World War II: The ferry launch was bombed and sunk during the Imperial Japanese Navy air raid on Cavite Navy Yard.[46]
Sagoland  Philippines World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and damaged at Manila by Japanese aircraft. She sank the next day.[7]
USS Sealion  United States Navy World War II: The Sargo-class submarine was bombed and damaged at Cavite Navy Yard by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft. She was scuttled on 25 December owing to damage received and damage done to the navy yard which precluded repairs being carried out.
Star of Luxor  Egypt World War II: Convoy SC 57: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (56°57′N 16°35′W / 56.950°N 16.583°W / 56.950; -16.583) by U-130 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of four of her 56 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Sunflower ( Royal Navy).[7][93]
Taiyuan  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and damaged at Manila by Japanese aircraft. She was repaired and returned to service.[94]
Takao Maru  Imperial Japanese Army World War II: Vigan Invasion Force: The Takao Maru-class transport ship was bombed by United States Army Air Forces aircraft at Santa, Ilocos Sur, Luzon (17°29′N 120°26′E / 17.483°N 120.433°E / 17.483; 120.433) and was beached. She was destroyed on 5 March 1942 by Philippine guerrillas and later stripped for usable parts.[95][96]
TKA-12  Soviet Navy The torpedo boat was holed by ice and sank in the Baltic Sea. Her crew were rescued by the minesweeper T-205 ( Soviet Navy.[19]
W-10  Imperial Japanese Navy World War II: Vigan Invasion Force: The No.7-class minesweeper was strafed, exploded, and sank off Pandan 17°32′N 120°22′E / 17.533°N 120.367°E / 17.533; 120.367 by a Seversky P-35 aircraft of the Far East Air Forces' 34th Pursuit Squadron. The explosion blew a wing off the aircraft and it crashed into the sea.[7][97]
W-19  Imperial Japanese Navy World War II: The No.19-class minesweeper was bombed and damaged off Luzon by Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft of the Far East Air Forces' 14th Bomb Squadron. She was beached at Aparri 18°22′N 121°38′E / 18.367°N 121.633°E / 18.367; 121.633. She was declared a total loss.[7][98]

11 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 11 December 1941
Ship State Description
Alcione  Regia Marina World War II: The Spica-class torpedo boat was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea (36°20′N 20°33′E / 36.333°N 20.550°E / 36.333; 20.550) off Suda Bay, Crete, Greece by HMS Truant ( Royal Navy) and was towed close to shore where she capsized and sank with a loss of twenty of her crew.[7][99]
Alphar  Norway World War II: The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk off Mylingen by K-22 ( Soviet Navy).[100][101]
Ammiraglio Caracciolo  Regia Marina World War II: The Cagni-class submarine was depth charged, shelled, and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea (32°09′N 25°19′E / 32.150°N 25.317°E / 32.150; 25.317) by HMS Farndale ( Royal Navy) and was subsequently scuttled by her crew. One passenger, an army general, was killed. Fifty-three survivors were rescued by HMS Farndale.[7][102][103]
Apsheron  Soviet Union World War II: The tanker struck a mine and sank in the Black Sea off Sevastopol.[104]
Borgar  Norway World War II: The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk off Mylingen by K-22 ( Soviet Navy).[100][101]
Calitea  Italy World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 90 nautical miles (170 km) off Cape Matapan (36°23′N 20°33′E / 36.383°N 20.550°E / 36.383; 20.550) by HMS Talisman ( Royal Navy). Thirty-three crew, six gunners and 116 military passengers were killed. There were 227 or 230 survivors.[7][105]
Hai Tung  Norway World War II: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the South China Sea (5°08′N 104°32′E / 5.133°N 104.533°E / 5.133; 104.533) by I-156 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) with the loss of all 49 of her crew.[106]
Hayate  Imperial Japanese Navy World War II: Battle of Wake Island: The Kamikaze-class destroyer was sunk off Wake Island by shore based artillery with the loss of 168 of her crew. Only one survivor was rescued.
Kisaragi  Imperial Japanese Navy World War II: Battle of Wake Island: The Mutsuki-class destroyer was bombed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) south west of Wake Island (18°55′N 166°17′E / 18.917°N 166.283°E / 18.917; 166.283) by a Grumman F4F Wildcat aircraft of the VMF-211, United States Marine Corps with the loss of all 154 crew.[107]
HMT Lady Shirley  Royal Navy World War II: The naval trawler was torpedoed and sunk in the Strait of Gibraltar (35°59′N 5°17′W / 35.983°N 5.283°W / 35.983; -5.283) by U-374 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 33 crew.
Lahaina  United States World War II: The cargo ship as torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean (27°42′N 147°38′W / 27.700°N 147.633°W / 27.700; -147.633) by I-9 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) with the loss of four of her 34 crew. Survivors were rescued by USCGC Tiger ( United States Coast Guard).[7][108][109]
Nanning  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled at Hong Kong.[49] She was salvaged in 1942 and entered Japanese service asNannei Maru.[110]
HMY Rosabelle  Royal Navy World War II: The armed yacht was torpedoed and sunk in the Strait of Gibraltar (35°59′N 5°17′W / 35.983°N 5.283°W / 35.983; -5.283) by U-374 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss off 30 of her 48 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMY Sayonara ( Royal Navy).[7][111][112]
Sofia  Greece World War II: The coaster was torpedoed and sunk north west of Suda Bay by HMS Torbay ( Royal Navy).[7]
Tinley  United Kingdom World War II: The coaster was scuttled at Hong Kong.[7]
Wawa  Panama World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled at Hong Kong. She was raised, repaired and put in Japanese service in May 1943 as Awa Maru.[49][113][114]
No. 12, and
No. 42 		 Soviet Navy The D-3-class motor torpedo boats were lost on this date.[citation needed]
No. 303,
No. 307, and
No. 407 		 Soviet Navy The MO-4-class motor anti-submarine boats were lost on this date.[citation needed]

12 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 12 December 1941
Ship State Description
Admiral Y. S. Williams  United States World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled at Hong Kong.[49] She was later salvaged, and entered Japanese service as Tatsutama Maru.[115]
Ariadne Moller  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled at Hong Kong. She was raised, repaired and put in Japanese service as Chikuzan Maru.[49][116][117]
Atlas  Kriegsmarine World War II: The transport ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (31°42′N 19°07′E / 31.700°N 19.117°E / 31.700; 19.117) by HMS Thrasher ( Royal Navy).[118]
Awazisan Maru  Imperial Japanese Army World War II: The troopship was abandoned off Kota Bharu, Malaya on 8 December after being bombed by a Lockheed Hudson aircraft of No. 11 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, and catching fire, she was sunk at (6°08′N 102°16′E / 6.133°N 102.267°E / 6.133; 102.267) by the submarine HNLMS K XII ( Royal Netherlands Navy).[46][47]
Bencleuch  United Kingdom The cargo ship caught fire and was abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean south east of Cape Farewell, Greenland (53°10′N 38°00′W / 53.167°N 38.000°W / 53.167; -38.000). She later sank. The cause of the fire may have been sabotage.[119][120]
Dromore Castle  United Kingdom World War II: The British Standard WWI modified Type B cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) south south east of the mouth of the Humber (53°29′08″N 0°52′00″E / 53.48556°N 0.86667°E / 53.48556; 0.86667). Her 55 crew were rescued.[7][121][122]
Governor Wright Philippines World War II: The passenger ship was bombed and sunk in the Visayan Sea off Cebu (12°55′N 123°55′E / 12.917°N 123.917°E / 12.917; 123.917) by Japanese aircraft.[7][123]
Haraldsvang  Norway World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled at Hong Kong. She was raised by the Japanese in June 1942 and renamed Toryu Maru.[49][124]
Hydra II  Norway World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the South China Sea off Mindoro, Philippines by USS S-38 ( United States Navy) with the loss of 41 of her 50 crew.[7]
Joan Moller  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled at Hong Kong. She was raised, repaired and put in Japanese service as Gyoryu Maru.[49][116][125]
Kampar  Royal Navy World War II: The auxiliary anti-submarine ship was bombed and damaged at Penang, Malaya by Japanese aircraft and was beached and abandoned. She was bombed again the next day and her magazine exploded. The vessel was declared a total loss. Her crew were rescued. Japanese began repairs in place in March 1943, which were finished on 15 July 1943. She was put in Japanese service as Kasumi Maru.[7][126]
Manatawny Philippines Philippines World War II: The former World War I Design 1022 ship, converted to a sardine factory ship, was bombed and damaged in Manila Bay by Japanese aircraft. She sank on 11 January 1942.[127]
Marion  Panama World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled in the Philippines.[82]
HMS Moth  Royal Navy World War II: The Insect-class gunboat was scuttled at Hong Kong. She was later salvaged by the Japanese and entered Imperial Japanese Navy service as Suma.
P III  Greece World War II. The cargo schooner was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Drepano, Greece by HMS Torbay ( Royal Navy).[12][128]
Southern Sea  United Kingdom The ocean liner ran aground off Libreville, French Equatorial Africa and was wrecked.[129]
HMS Tamar  Royal Navy World War II: The receiving ship was scuttled by shelling by the Royal Artillery at Hong Kong.[130]
Tanjong  United Kingdom World War II: The ferry was bombed and sunk at Penang by Japanese aircraft.[7]
Toro Maru  Imperial Japanese Army World War II: The transport ship was torpedoed and sunk in the South China Sea off Kota Bharu (06°08′N 102°16′E / 6.133°N 102.267°E / 6.133; 102.267) by HNLMS K XII ( Royal Netherlands Navy).[7][131]
HMS Tung Wo  Royal Navy World War II: The armed examination vessel was bombed and damaged at Penang. One Chinese crewman was mortally wounded. She was bombed again and abandoned the next day. She eventually sank. HMS Tung Wo was refloated sometime in 1942, repaired and put in Japanese service as Dowa Maru.[7][132]
V 5101 Blitz  Kriegsmarine World War II: The vorpostenboot was torpedoed and sunk in Nordfjord by Royal Air Force aircraft.[12][133]
Vincent  United States World War II: The tanker was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Pitcairn Island (22°41′S 118°19′W / 22.683°S 118.317°W / -22.683; -118.317) by Aikoku Maru and Hōkoku Maru (both  Imperial Japanese Navy). Her 36 crew were captured and taken aboard Hōkoku Maru as prisoners of war.[134][135][136]
Warrian  United Kingdom The cargo ship sank in the Gulf of Guinea.[137]

13 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 13 December 1941
Ship State Description
Alberico da Barbiano  Regia Marina World War II: Battle of Cape Bon: The Giussano-class cruiser was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Bon Tunisia by the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, Royal Navy.[Note 2][7]
Alberto di Giussano  Regia Marina World War II: Battle of Cape Bon: The Giussano-class cruiser was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Bon by the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, Royal Navy.[7]
Asosan Maru  Imperial Japanese Army World War II: Patani Siam (Thailand) Invasion Unit: The Asosan Maru-class transport ship was torpedoed and beached, or sank in shallow water, in the Gulf of Siam at Pattani, Thailand by HNLMS O 16 ( Royal Netherlands Navy). Salvage work began 9 March 1942. Temporary repairs were made at Hong Kong, and finished in Japan in December 1942. She was returned to service[138]
Badalona  Spain World War II: The tanker was stopped, torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (36°43′N 3°30′W / 36.717°N 3.500°W / 36.717; -3.500) by U-453 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of three of her crew.[12][139]
Carlo del Greco  Italy World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) off Capo Vito, Sicily (40°10′N 7°50′E / 40.167°N 7.833°E / 40.167; 7.833) by HMS Upright ( Royal Navy).[7][140]
Chung On  Hong Kong World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled at Hong Kong.[7]
Fabio Filzi  Regia Marina World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi) off Capo Vito (40°10′N 17°50′E / 40.167°N 17.833°E / 40.167; 17.833) by HMS Upright ( Royal Navy).[7][141]
Kinka Maru  Imperial Japanese Army World War II: Patani Siam (Thailand) Invasion Unit: The transport ship was torpedoed and beached, or sank in shallow water, in the Gulf of Siam at Pattani by HNLMS O 16 ( Royal Netherlands Navy). Salvage work began on 9 March 1942. Kinka Maru was refloated and repaired at Hong Kong. Work was finished in December 1942, and she was returned to service.[138]
Nikkoku Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy The transport ship ran aground off Samah, Hainan Island. She broke in two and sank on 18 December due to heavy wave action.[142]
Taizan Maru  Japan World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the South China Sea off Cape Ca Mau, French Indo-China by HNLMS K XII ( Royal Netherlands Navy).[7]
Toro Maru  Imperial Japanese Army The Taiko Maru-class transport ship was torpedoed and sunk in the South China Sea off Cape Kuantan, Singora, Thailand (06°08′N 102°16′E / 6.133°N 102.267°E / 6.133; 102.267) by HNLMS K XII ( Royal Netherlands Navy).[143]
Tozan Maru  Imperial Japanese Army World War II: Patani Siam (Thailand) Invasion Unit: The Tosan Maru-class transport ship was torpedoed and sank in shallow water, in the Gulf of Siam at Pattani by HNLMS O 16 ( Royal Netherlands Navy). Tozan Maru was refloated in April 1942, towed to Hong Kong for repairs that were finished in December 1942 and was returned to service.[144]
No. 305  Soviet Navy The PK-115 Type MO-2 patrol boat was lost on this date.[citation needed]
No. 307,
No. 405, and
No. 406 		 Soviet Navy The MO-4-class motor anti-submarine boats were lost on this date.[citation needed]

14 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 14 December 1941
Ship State Description
Cassequel  Portugal World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (35°08′N 11°14′W / 35.133°N 11.233°W / 35.133; -11.233) by U-108 ( Kriegsmarine). Her 57 crew were rescued; 13 of them by HMS Campion ( Royal Navy).[7][145]
HMS Galatea  Royal Navy World War II: The Arethusa-class cruiser may have been torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea off Alexandria, Egypt (34°01′N 26°02′E / 34.017°N 26.033°E / 34.017; 26.033) by Dagabur ( Regia Marina). She was torpedoed and sunk at 31°17′N 29°31′E / 31.283°N 29.517°E / 31.283; 29.517 by U-557 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 469 of her 613 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Griffin and HMS Hotspur (both  Royal Navy).[146]
Høegh Merchant  Norway World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean 29 nautical miles (54 km; 33 mi) off Cape Makapuu, Oahu, Hawaii, United States by I-4 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Her 40 passengers and crew were rescued by USS Trever ( United States Navy).[7][147]
Lofjord  Kriegsmarine The accommodation ship caught fire at Danzig-Neufahrwasser with the loss of 28 lives and was declared a total loss. She was subsequently used as a target ship. Lofjord was scrapped in 1951.[148]
HMS MA/SB 30  Royal Navy The motor anti-submarine boat sank after hitting the Humber boom.[149]
Miharu Maru  Japan The cargo ship foundered south of Hokkaido.[150]
HMS MTB 68  Royal Navy The Thorneycroft 55-foot-class motor torpedo boat collided with HMS MTB 215 ( Royal Navy) and sank off Tobruk, Libya.[7]
Topaz  Norway World War II: The coaster was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off the coast of Norway by Allied aircraft with the loss of all six crew.[151]
Wilhelmina  Denmark The cargo ship was wrecked at Kammarbrinken, Utlangen.[152]
Zuiko Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy The auxiliary gunboat dragged her anchor in a storm and grounded on a reef off Matsura Jima, Kuril Islands. All of her crew, except 13 who remained aboard, were rescued by Ishigaki and Kaiko Maru (both  Imperial Japanese Navy). Zuiko Maru was abandoned by its remaining crew on 30 March and sank at a later date.[153]

15 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 15 December 1941
Ship State Description
Agios Georgios Greece Greece World War II: The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk by HMS Torbay ( Royal Navy) one mile (1.6 km) off Cape Methoni.[154]
Empire Barracuda  United Kingdom World War II: Convoy HG 76: The Design 1022 ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (35°30′N 6°17′W / 35.500°N 6.283°W / 35.500; -6.283) by U-77 ( Kriegsmarine).[155] She sank with the loss of 13 of her 52 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Coltsfoot ( Royal Navy).
Indira  Royal Navy World War II: The tug/auxiliary minesweeper was bombed and sunk at Hong Kong by Japanese aircraft.[49]
Kyriakula Greece Greece World War II: The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk by HMS Torbay ( Royal Navy) one mile (1.6 km) off Cape Methoni.[156]
HNLMS O 16  Royal Netherlands Navy World War II: The submarine struck a mine and sank off Troman Island with the loss of 41 of her 42 crew.[7][157]
USS PT-33  United States Navy The PT boat was lost to grounding off Cape Santiago, Luzon, Philippines.[158]
HMS Thracian  Royal Navy The S-class destroyer ran aground at high speed and was damaged at Hong Kong. She was refloated and continued in service.[159]
U-127  Kriegsmarine World War II: The Type IXC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape St. Vincent, Portugal (36°27′N 9°12′W / 36.450°N 9.200°W / 36.450; -9.200) by HMAS Nestor ( Royal Australian Navy) with the loss of all 51 of her crew.[49]
Viscaya Philippines Philippines World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled in Manila Bay.[82]
Three unnamed vessels  Imperial Japanese Navy World War II: British Borneo (Sarawak) Invasion Convoy: The three Daihatsu-class landing craft capsized when lowered into the water from a transport during a storm off Miri. Nineteen Imperial Japanese Army troops were killed and fifteen were reported missing.[160]

16 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 16 December 1941
Ship State Description
Atsutasan Maru  Imperial Japanese Army World War II: The Aosan Maru-class auxiliary anti-aircraft transport was torpedoed and damaged in the East China Sea south of Samah, China (18°06′N 109°44′E / 18.100°N 109.733°E / 18.100; 109.733) by USS Swordfish ( United States Navy). Three of her crew and 25 gunners were killed. She drifted abandoned for two days before sinking.[49][161][162]
Halldor  Norway World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled, or bombed and sunk, at Hong Kong. She was salvaged by the Japanese, repaired and entered service as Haruna Maru.[49][163]
LCT 11  Royal Navy The Landing Craft, Tank foundered off Sollum, Egypt.[164]
MTB 8  Royal Navy World War II: The BPB 60-foot-class motor torpedo boat was bombed, set on fire, and sunk at Hong Kong by Japanese aircraft.[49]
Nidardal  Norway World War II: Convoy SC 58: The cargo ship foundered in the Atlantic Ocean (56°07′N 21°00′W / 56.117°N 21.000°W / 56.117; -21.000). Her 25 crew were rescued by HMCS Pictou ( Royal Canadian Navy).[165][166]
Parthian  United Kingdom The fishing trawler was sunk in a collision off the Isle of Lewis.[167]
U-557  Kriegsmarine The Type VIIC submarine was accidentally rammed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea west of Crete, Greece by Orione ( Regia Marina) with the loss of all 43 crew.
Two unnamed ships  Japan World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The two anchored steamships were shelled and sunk in Kowloon Bay, 1,000 yards (910 m) east of the electric power station by HMS Thracian ( Royal Navy).[168]

17 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 17 December 1941
Ship State Description
Col. William B. Cowin United States United States Army The ferry sank in 75 feet (23 m) of water within 30 minutes of striking the Hens and Chickens Reef in Buzzards Bay off Westport, Massachusetts, three nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) east-southeast of Gooseberry Island (41°28.3′N 070°58.8′W / 41.4717°N 70.9800°W / 41.4717; -70.9800 (Col. William B. Cowin)).[169]
Corregidor Philippines Philippines World War II: The passenger ship struck a mine and sank in Manila Bay off Corregidor Island. Of the approximately 1,200 people on board, 275 were survivors rescued by USS PT-32, USS PT-34, and USS PT-35 (all  United States Navy).
Lina  Italy World War II: The tanker was bombed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north west of Tripoli, Libya (33°58′N 12°03′E / 33.967°N 12.050°E / 33.967; 12.050) by Fairey Swordfish of 803 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm. Two of her 22 crew were killed. The survivors, including three wounded, were rescued by the rescue ship Laurana ( Italy).[49][170]
M-59  Soviet Navy World War II: The M-class submarine was depth charged and sunk by the destroyer Regele Ferdinand ( Royal Romanian Navy).[171]
Manini  United States World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean 108 nautical miles (200 km; 124 mi) south of Hawaii by I-75 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) with the loss of two of her crew. Survivors were rescued by USS Allen ( United States Navy) on 27 December, and USS Patterson ( United States Navy) on 28 December.[49]
Olivia H  United States The motor vessel sank at Dayville, Territory of Alaska (60°05′N 146°21′W / 60.083°N 146.350°W / 60.083; -146.350 (Dayville)).[172]
Ro-66  Imperial Japanese Navy World War II: The Ro-60-class submarine collided with Ro-62 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) and sank in the Pacific Ocean off Wake Island. Three sailors were picked up by Ro-62, but 63 others were killed.[49][173]
Shinonome  Imperial Japanese Navy World War II: Invasion of British Borneo (Sarawak): Invasion Convoy: The Fubuki-class destroyer was bombed, exploded and sunk in the South China Sea off Miri, Sarawak (4°24′N 114°00′E / 4.400°N 114.000°E / 4.400; 114.000) by Dornier Do 24 aircraft of GVT-7, Netherlands Naval Aviation Service with the loss of all hands (some 221 officers and sailors).[174]
HMS Thracian  Royal Navy World War II: The S-class destroyerwas deliberately run aground off Round Island, between Repulse Bay and Deepwater Bay, Hong Kong. She was later salvaged by the Japanese and entered Imperial Japanese Navy service as Patrol Boat No. 101.[175]
U-131  Kriegsmarine World War II: The Type IXC submarine was depth charged, torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Madeira, Portugal (34°12′N 13°35′W / 34.200°N 13.583°W / 34.200; -13.583) by ships of the 36th Escort Group[Note 3] and Grumman Martlet aircraft of 802 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm based on HMS Audacity ( Royal Navy). Her 55 crew were rescued by HMS Stanley ( Royal Navy).

18 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 18 December 1941
Ship State Description
Navarga  Soviet Navy World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and sunk at Vostochnaya Liza by Junkers Ju 88 aircraft of the Luftwaffe. Her crew survived, some were wounded.[12][176]
Perekop  Soviet Union World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the South China Sea east of the Natuna Islands, Netherlands East Indies by Japanese aircraft with the loss of eight of her 40 crew.[49][177][178]
NN 02 Steinbock  Kriegsmarine The naval whaler ran aground at Seiskjær, near Bodø, Norway (67°44′N 14°26′E / 67.733°N 14.433°E / 67.733; 14.433). She later sank.[179]
U-434  Kriegsmarine World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north of Madeira, Portugal (36°15′N 15°48′W / 36.250°N 15.800°W / 36.250; -15.800) by HMS Blankney and HMS Stanley (both  Royal Navy) with the loss of two of her 44 crew.

19 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 19 December 1941
Ship State Description
HMS Aldgate  Royal Navy World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The Moorgate-class boom defence vessel was scuttled at Hong Kong.[49]
HMS Alliance  Royal Navy World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The Alliance-class tug was scuttled in Deepwater Bay, Hong Kong.[180]
HMS Barlight  Royal Navy World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The Bar-class boom defence vessel was scuttled at Hong Kong. She was later raised, repaired and taken into Imperial Japanese Navy service as Ma-101.[49]
HMS Cornflower  Royal Navy World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The Arabis-class sloop was scuttled at Hong Kong.[181]
RFA Ebonol  Royal Fleet Auxiliary World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The tanker was scuttled at Hong Kong. She was later salvaged by the Japanese, repaired and entered Imperial Japanese Navy service as Enoshima Maru.[49]
Ferruccio  Italy World War II: The coaster collided with another ship and sank at Tripoli, Libya.[49]
Jinsei Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy World War II: The auxiliary patrol ship was lost on this date.[citation needed]
Kong Haakon VII, and
Myrmidon 		 Norway
 United Kingdom 		The cargo ship Kong Haakon VII collided with the ocean liner Myrmidon at Whiteinch, Renfrewshire on being launched. Both vessels were severely damaged.[182]
Krechet  Soviet Union World War II: The ship was reported as bombed and sunk at Hong Kong by Japanese aircraft,[49][178] but other sources say she was sunk by Japanese artillery,[183] or point out that she might have also been targeted by British artillery from Kowloon.[184]
HMS MTB 12  Royal Navy World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The motor torpedo boat was sunk at Hong Kong by Japanese landing craft.[49][185]
HMS MTB 26  Royal Navy World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The motor torpedo boat was sunk at Hong Kong by Japanese landing craft. Her commanding officer was killed.[186][187]
Man Kim  United Kingdom World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The ferry was scuttled at Hong Kong.[49]
Man Kung  United Kingdom World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The ferry was scuttled at Hong Kong.[49]
Mouette  United Kingdom World War II: The fishing boat struck a mine and sank in the Bristol Channel off Minehead, Somerset with the loss of two of her crew.[49]
HMS Neptune  Royal Navy World War II: First Battle of Sirte: The Leander-class cruiser struck a mine and was sunk off Sirte, Libya with the loss of all but one of her 767 crew.
HNLMS O 20  Royal Netherlands Navy World War II: The O 19-class submarine was shelled and sunk in the South China Sea by Uranami ( Imperial Japanese Navy).
HMS Poet Chaucer  Royal Navy World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The tug was scuttled in Deepwater Bay.[188]
Prusa  United States World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km; 170 mi) south of Hawaii (17°30′N 157°00′W / 17.500°N 157.000°W / 17.500; -157.000) by I-72 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) with the loss of eight of her 33 crew. Fourteen survivors were rescued by USCGC Tiger ( United States Coast Guard) on 27 December, and a Fijian Government ship rescued the eleven others after a 2,700-mile (4,300 km) journey in a lifeboat.[49]
HMS Redstart  Royal Navy World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The minelayer was scuttled at Hong Kong.[49]
Ruckinge  United Kingdom World War II: Convoy HG 76: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean (38°20′N 17°15′W / 38.333°N 17.250°W / 38.333; -17.250) by U-108 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of three of her 42 crew. Survivors were rescued by Finland ( United Kingdom) and HMS Stork ( Royal Navy). Ruckinge was scuttled by HMS Samphire ( Royal Navy).[189]
Sergei Lazo  Soviet Union World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The ship was reported as bombed and sunk at Hong Kong by Japanese aircraft,[49][190] but other sources say she was sunk by Japanese artillery.[183] or point out that she might have also been targeted by British artillery from Kowloon.[191] She was later refloated.[190]
Simferopol  Soviet Union World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The ship was reported as bombed and sunk at Hong Kong by Japanese aircraft,[49][190] but other sources say she was sunk by Japanese artillery[183] or point out that she might have also been targeted by British artillery from Kowloon.[184] She was later refloated.[190]
HMS Stanley  Royal Navy World War II: Convoy HG 76: The Town-class destroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (38°12′N 17°23′W / 38.200°N 17.383°W / 38.200; -17.383) by U-574 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 95 of her 120 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Samphire and HMS Stork (both  Royal Navy).[192]
Svirstroi  Soviet Union World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The ship was reported as bombed and sunk at Hong Kong by Japanese aircraft,[49][190] but other sources say she was sunk by Japanese artillery[183] or point out that she might have also been targeted by British artillery from Kowloon.[191] She was later refloated.[190]
HMS Tern  Royal Navy World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The gunboat was scuttled at Hong Kong.[49]
U-574  Kriegsmarine World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged, rammed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (38°12′N 17°23′W / 38.200°N 17.383°W / 38.200; -17.383) by HMS Stork ( Royal Navy) with the loss of 22 of her 42 crew.[49][193]
Varlaam Avanesov  Soviet Union World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Aegean Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km; 2.9 mi) off Cape Babakele, Turkey (39°27′N 26°05′E / 39.450°N 26.083°E / 39.450; 26.083) by U-652 ( Kriegsmarine). Depending of sources one crew member was lost or all survived.[49][194][195]
HMS Watergate  Royal Navy World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The boom defence vessel was scuttled at Hong Kong.[49]

20 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 20 December 1941
Ship State Description
HMCS Adversus  Royal Canadian Navy The patrol vessel (155 GRT) ran aground on McNutts Island, Nova Scotia in a blizzard and was wrecked.[49]
Emidio  United States World War II: The tanker (6,912 GRT, 1921) was shelled, torpedoed and damaged in the Pacific Ocean off Cape Mendocino, California by I-17 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) with the loss of five crew. Survivors reached the Blunt's Reef Lightship and were rescued by USCGC Shawnee ( United States Coast Guard). Emidio drifted 85 miles (137 km) to the north west and came ashore at Crescent City, California. The wreck was refloated, towed to Long Beach, California, and scrapped in 1969.[49][196]
HMS Kandahar  Royal Navy World War II: First Battle of Sirte: Damaged by a mine in the Mediterranean Sea off Sirte, Libya 73 of her crew were killed whilst attempting to assist the light cruiser HMS Neptune ( Royal Navy), the K-class destroyer (1,690/2,330 t, 1939) was scuttled by the destroyer HMS Jaguar ( Royal Navy).
Sumatra  United Kingdom World War II: Battle of Hong Kong: The coastal tanker (984 GRT, 1894) was scuttled by shelling by HMS Cicala ( Royal Navy) at Hong Kong to prevent capture. Raised, repaired and put in service as Sumatra Maru ( Imperial Japanese Army).[49][197][198]
Taishan  United Kingdom World War II: The cargo ship (3,174 GRT) was bombed and sunk in the Tathong Channel by Japanese aircraft.[49]
Warrian  United Kingdom The cargo ship was sunk in a collision with Pierre Loti ( France) off the entrance to the Bonny River.[199]

21 December[edit]

List of shipwrecks: 21 December 1941
Ship State Description

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