List of shipwrecks in January 1940

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

1 January

 * MV Highland Patriot (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo liner was torpedoed and sunk west of Ireland by GS U-38 (1938) ( with the loss of three of her 143 crew.
 * SS Johann Schulte (1921) (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was wrecked and sank off Buholmråsa, Norway.
 * SS Lars Magnus Trozelli (🇸🇪 Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (58.23333°N, -1.63333°W) by GS U-58 (1939) with the loss of seven of her 22 crew. The survivors were rescued by SS Ask (1917) (🇳🇴 Norway).
 * SS Leo (1920) (🇫🇮 Finland): Winter War: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk off Turku, Finland by Soviet aircraft.
 * SS Turkan (🇹🇷 Turkey): The cargo ship foundered in the Black Sea with the loss of all 20 crew.

2 January

 * SS Thor (🇫🇮 Finland): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Turku, Finland by Soviet Air Force aircraft.

3 January

 * SS Kiruna (🇸🇪 Sweden): The cargo ship sank in the Bay of Biscay (45.33333°N, -25.16667°W).
 * MV Motorina (🇬🇷 Greece): The tanker ran aground on Chios and was wrecked.
 * GERMAN MINESWEEPER R-5 : The R boat minesweeper was wrecked by ice off Stolpmünde, Germany.
 * SOVIET SUBMARINE S-2 : World War II: The S-class submarine struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea off Märket with the loss of all 53 crew.
 * SS Svartön (🇸🇪 Sweden): World War II: Convoy HN 6: The cargo ship romped ahead of the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk off the north coast of Scotland (57.8°N, -1.78333°W) by GS U-58 (1939) with the loss of twenty of her 31 crew. The eleven survivors were rescued by HMT Oak.

4 January

 * SS Ardongorm (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground near Dodman Point, Cornwall and was wrecked.
 * SS Maigue (🇮🇪 Ireland): The cargo ship ran aground on Cape Clear Island in fog. She was severely damaged and subsequently scrapped.
 * ST Swarthy (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The tug sank at Portsmouth, Hampshire. Later salvaged, repaired and returned to service.

5 January

 * SS Fenris (🇸🇪 Sweden): World War II: The coaster was torpedoed and damaged in the Gulf of Finland off the Sydost Brottens Lightship by SC-311 . The wreck drifted ashore north west of the lightship, all crew were rescued.
 * HMT Kingston Cornelian (FY 211) : The naval trawler collided with SS Chella (🇫🇷 France) in the Mediterranean Sea east of Gibraltar and sank. Her depth charges exploded, killing all eighteen crew.
 * SS Rothesay Castle (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground at Sanaig Point, Islay, Argyllshire. All crew were rescued by ST Englishman (🇬🇧 United Kingdom).

6 January

 * FRENCH AUXILIARY SLOOP Barsac : The armed patrol ship ran aground on the Isalons Rocks, Vigo, Galicia, Spain and sank with the loss of eighteen crew.
 * SS Beltinge (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground at Les Sables d'Olonne, Vendée, France and was wrecked.
 * MV British Liberty (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The tanker struck a mine and sank in the English Channel 4 nmi north east of the Dyck Lightship with the loss of 24 crew.
 * SS City of Marseilles (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and was damaged in the Firth of Tay. She was abandoned with the loss of one of her 164 crew. Survivors were rescued by the Broughty Ferry lifeboat Mona (RNLI FLAG.png Royal National Lifeboat Institution), a Royal Air Force launch and a pilot cutter. She was later boarde by personnel from HMT Cranefly (FY539), HMT Sturton (FY1595) and HMT Suilven (all ) and towed into Dundee, Perthshire. Subsequently repaired and returned to service.
 * Eta (🇬🇧 United Kingdom: World War II: The trawler struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary 6 nmi north west of the Outer Gabbard Lightship. All crew were rescued.
 * MV Gloreda (🇦🇺 Australia): The ship caught fire and sank in Hervey Bay, Queensland.
 * SS Frankenwald (1922) (🇩🇪 Germany): The cargo ship ran aground on Bratholmen, Norway and sank. All 48 crew were rescued.

7 January

 * SS Cedrington Court (🇬🇧 United Kingdom: World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Goodwin Sands, Kent 2 nmi north east of the North Goodwin Lightship (55.25°N, 1.58333°W). All 34 crew were rescued.
 * SS Dicido (🇸🇪 Sweden): The cargo ship ran aground at Tjoroneset and was wrecked.
 * HMS Seahorse (98S) : World War II: The S-class submarine was depth charged and sunk north west of Heligoland by ships of the German 1st Minesweeping Flotilla with the loss of all 36 crew.
 * SS Towneley (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea north of Margate, Kent. All crew were rescued by the Margate lifeboat.
 * HMS Undine (N48) : World War II: The U-class submarine was depth charged and damaged south west of Heligoland by GERMAN AUXILIARY MINESWEEPER M-1201. GERMAN AUXILIARY MINESWEEPER M-1204, and GERMAN AUXILIARY MINESWEEPER M-1207 (all ) and was subsequently scuttled.

8 January

 * SS Atlantic Scout (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground 2 nmi north east of Cap Gris Nez, Pas-de-Calais, France and was wrecked. She was refloated and beached at Boulogne, where the wreck was broken up in 1949.
 * SS Manx (1916) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea east of Caithness, United Kingdom (58.5°N, -1.55°W) by GS U-19 (1936) with the loss of thirteen of her nineteen crew.
 * SS Tynehome (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The coaster collided with SS Gitano (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) and sank. Ten survivors were rescued by Gitano.

9 January

 * SS Dunbar Castle (1930) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The ocean liner struck a mine off North Foreland, Kent and sank.
 * SS Gowrie (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The coaster was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 4 nmi east of Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire by aircraft of Fliegerkorps X, Luftwaffe. All twelve crew were rescued.
 * SS Montauban (🇫🇷 France): The collier ran aground on Saltscar Rocks, Redcar, Yorkshire, United Kingdom and was wrecked.
 * SS Oakgrove (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk off Cromer, Norfolk by aircraft of Fliegerkorps X, Luftwaffe with the loss of one crewmember.
 * HMS Starfish (19S) : World War II: The ''S-class submarine was depth charged and damaged in the Heligoland Bight by GERMAN MINESWEEPER M-7 . She was subsequently scuttled.
 * SS Tonis Chandris (🇬🇷 Greece): World War II: The cargo ship ran aground on Unst, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom and was wrecked. All crew were rescued by the Lerwick lifeboat.
 * MV Truida (🇳🇱 Netherlands): World War II: The coaster struck a mine and sank in the North Sea west of Ramsgate, Kent, United Kingdom (51.45°N, 1.83333°W. All crew were rescued by Friso (🇳🇱 Netherlands).
 * SS Upminster (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and damaged off Cromer (53.05°N, 1.48333°W) by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of three crew. She sank the next day.

10 January

 * ST Axel (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The naval trawler collided off Kiel with Grille ( and sank.
 * Bahia Blanca (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The blockade-running cargo liner struck an iceberg in the Denmark Strait (66.15°N, 26.33333°W). She was subsequently shelled and sunk by HMS Newcastle . All 62 crew were rescued by the trawler Hafstein (Light Blue Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland).
 * HMS Canton : World War II: The armed merchant cruiser ran aground off Barra Head, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides. Refloated on 12 January but beached on 17 January at Holy Loch. Later repaired and returned to service.
 * SS Hertha (🇳🇴 Norway): The cargo ship collided with a French vessel off the Welsh coast and was beached.
 * SS Manx (1916) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (58.5°N, -1.55°W) by GS U-19 (1936) with the loss of thirteen of her nineteen crew. Survivors were rescued by SS Iris (1901) and SS Leka (both 🇳🇴 Norway).
 * SS Montauban (🇫🇷 France): The cargo ship ran aground in the north east of England and broke her back. All crew were rescued.

11 January

 * Croxton (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea (53.33333°N, 2.66667°W) by aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe. All nine crew were rescued.
 * ST Dietrich Hasseldieck (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The trawler struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea off Paldiski, Estonia.
 * SS El Oso (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy HX 14B: The tanker struck a mine and sank 6 nmi west of the Mersey Lightship (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) (53.53333°N, -3.41667°W) with the loss of three of her 35 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Walker (D27).
 * SS Fredville (1917) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (58.41667°N, -1.16667°W by GS U-23 (1936) with the loss of ten of her fifteen crew. The survivors were rescued by the trawler May (🇬🇧 United Kingdom).
 * SS Keynes (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the North Sea (53.78333°N, 0.76667°W) by Luftwaffe aircraft. All seventeen crew were rescued.
 * SS Leonard Pearce (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): Convoy HX 14: The cargo ship collided with SS Blairmore (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) and sank in the Bristol Channel off the Bull Point Lighthouse, Devon. All seventeen crew were rescued.
 * HMT Lucida (925) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler struck a mine and sank off the mouth of the Tyne (55°N, -0.88333°W) with the loss of one crewmember.
 * HMS Princess (1924) : The auxiliary patrol vessel collided with SS Blairmore (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) in the Bristol Channel and sank. All crew were rescued by Blairmore.
 * SS Traviata ( undefined): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine in the North Sea 8 nmi south east of the Cromer Knoll and sank. All on board were rescued.

12 January

 * MV Danmark (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and damaged by GS U-23 (1936) ( east of South Ronaldsay, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (58.98333°N, -2.86667°W). The stern section sank on 21 January in Inganess Bay. The bow section was used as a storage hulk at Inverkeithing, Fife.
 * SS Granta (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine in the North Sea 11 nmi off the Cromer Knoll Lightship (53.21667°N, 1.35°W) with the loss of twelve crew. The survivors were rescued by HMS Stork (L81) ( and the fishing vessels Fulham IV and Robur VIII (both (🇬🇧 United Kingdom).
 * SS Kastor (🇪🇪 Estonia): The cargo ship ran aground off Lysekil, Sweden.
 * HMT Valdora : World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Cromer, Norfolk by aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe with the loss of all ten crew.
 * William Ivey (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The fishing vessel was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off St Abbs Head, Northumberland.

13 January

 * Aura II : World War II: Winter War: The escort vessel and former presidential yacht was sunk by one of her own depth charges as it exploded in its thrower while she was attacking SOVIET SUBMARINE Shch-324 off Märket Island, Baltic Sea (60.38333°N, 19.16667°W with the loss of 26 of her 41 crew.
 * SS Duchess of York (1928) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom: The ocean liner ran aground off the west coast of Scotland and was severely damaged. She was refloated on 17 January, repaired and returned to service.
 * SS Fire King (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The coaster collided with SS Duke of Lancaster (1928) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) off the Isle of Man and sank with the loss of one crew member.
 * SS Sylvia (1883) (🇸🇪 Sweden): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea north east of Aberdeen (58.75°N, -1.2°W) by GS U-20 with the loss of all twenty crew.

14 January

 * Albert Janus (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was intercepted by Victor Schoelcher 75 nmi west of Cape Finisterre, Spain and was scuttled by her crew.
 * SS Hullgate (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The coaster collided with SS Moyle (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) in the Scheldt, Belgium and sank.
 * St Lucia (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler struck a mine in the North Sea and sank with the loss of all twelve crew.

15 January

 * MV Arendskerk (🇳🇱 Netherlands): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 100 nmi west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (46.91667°N, -6.56667°W) by GS U-44 (1939) and sunk. All 65 people on board were rescued by SS Fedora ( undefined).
 * SS Fagerheim (1937) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 80 nmi south west of Ouessant (47.33333°N, 6.26667°W) by GS U-44 (1939) with the loss of fourteen of her nineteen crew. The survivors were rescued by SS Iris (1911) (🇬🇷 Greece).
 * SS Meuse (🇧🇪 Belgium): The cargo ship departed from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, United Kingdom for Bruges, West Flanders, Belgium. No further trace.
 * Newhaven (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The fishing vessel struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 18 nmi south south east of Lowestoft, Suffolk.
 * SS Panachandros (🇬🇷 Greece): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay west of Brest, Finistère, by GS U-44 (1939).

16 January

 * MV Chile (🇩🇰 Denmark): The cargo ship ran aground in the Kattegat.
 * SS Gracia (1921) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy OB 287: The passenger ship struck a mine in the Irish Sea 5 nmi south west of the Bar Lightship (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) and was beached. She was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.
 * SS Inverdargle (🇮🇪 Ireland): World War II: Convoy HXF 15: The tanker struck a mine and sank off the south west coast of England (51.85°N, -3.71667°W).  All crew were killed.
 * SS Joséphine Charlotte (🇧🇪 Belgium): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine in The Downs, Kent, United Kingdom (51.53333°N, 1.55°W) and sank with the loss of four crew. The survivors were rescued by SS Mickleton (🇬🇧 United Kingdom).
 * SS Mandros (🇬🇷 Greece): The cargo ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean north west of County Donegal, Ireland.
 * SS Panachrandos (🇬🇷 Greece): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay west of Brest, Finistère, France (48.5°N, -9.16667°W) by GS U-44 (1939) with the loss of all 31 crew.
 * SS Pelinaion (🇬🇷 Greece): The cargo ship ran aground off St. David's Head, Bermuda and was wrecked.
 * SS Premuda ( undefined): The cargo ship collided with a lightship and was beached on the Goodwin Sands, Kent.

17 January

 * SS Asteria (🇬🇷 Greece): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine in the North Sea 9.5 nmi north east of the Happisburgh Lighthouse, Norfolk and sank with the loss of thirteen of the 25 people on board. A fourteenth crewmember died two days later.
 * SS Cairnross (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy HXF 16: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in Liverpool Bay (53.53333°N, -3.45°W). All 48 crew were rescued by HMS Mackay (D70).
 * SS Enid (1924) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged off Muckle Flugga, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom by GS U-25 (1936) . The sixteen crew were rescued by SS Kina (🇩🇰 Denmark) and the fishing vessel Granada (🇬🇧 United Kingdom). The wreck was scuttled by HMS Firedrake (H79).
 * SS Ernani ( undefined: The cargo ship collided with the Brake Lightship (🇬🇧 United Kingdom), off the Goodwin Sands, Kent and ran aground. All twelve crew were rescued by the Ramsgate and Margate lifeboats. The lightship sank.
 * Gratia (🇩🇪 Germany): The cargo ship ran aground at Außenems and was wrecked.
 * SS Premuda ( undefined): The cargo ship ran aground on the Goodwin Sands and was severely damaged. All 30 crew were rescued by the Walmer lifeboat.
 * SS Polzella (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Nort Sea approximately 6 nmi north of Muckle Flugga, Shetland Islands by GS U-25 (1936) with the loss of all sixteen crew.

18 January

 * August Thyssen (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine in the Baltic Sea off the Åland Islands, Finland and sank. All crew were rescued.
 * MV Canadian Reefer (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The refrigerated cargo ship was intercepted 25 nmi north east of Cape Villano, Spain by GS U-44 (1939) . The crew were given 30 minutes to abandon ship before she was torpedoed and sunk. They were rescued by the trawler Jose Ingacio de C (🇪🇸 Spain).
 * SS Flandria (1898) (🇸🇪 Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship either struck a mine in the North Sea 100 nmi off IJmuiden, North Holland, Netherlands (54°N, 3.66667°W), or was torpedoed and sunk by GS U-9 (1935) with the loss of seventeen of her 21 crew. The four survivors were rescued by MS Balzac (1921) (🇳🇴 Norway).
 * SS Foxen (🇸🇪 Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship either struck a mine or was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (58.86667°N, -0.36667°W) by GS U-55 (1939) with the loss of eight of her nine crew. The survivor was rescued by SS Leka (🇳🇴 Norway).
 * MV Pajala (🇸🇪 Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk east north east of North Rona, Hebrides, United Kingdom (59.08333°N, -5.93333°W) by GS U-25 (1936) . All 35 crew were rescued by HMS Northern Duke.

19 January

 * HMS Grenville (H03) : World War II: The G-class destroyer struck a mine in the Thames Estuary (51.65°N, 2.28333°W) and sank with the loss of 77 of her 175 crew.
 * SS Kaija (🇫🇮 Finland): Winter War: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Koivisto, Finland by Soviet aircraft.
 * SS Kirkpool (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship was driven ashore in the south west of England. All crew were rescued.
 * SS Mile End (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship collided with HMT Faraday off the mouth of the River Tees, Co Durham (51.75°N, 2.66667°W) and sank with the loss of five of her sixteen crew.The survivors were rescued by HMS Stork (L81).
 * SS Patria (1915) (🇸🇪 Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship either struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (56.25°N, 3.5°W), or was torpedoed and sunk by GS U-9 (1935) with the loss of nineteen of her 23 crew. The four survivors were rescued by SS Trygg (🇸🇪 Sweden).
 * SS Quiberon (🇫🇷 France): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk United Kingdom by GS U-59 (1939).
 * SS Telnes (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom by GS U-55 (1939) with the loss of all eighteen crew.

20 January

 * MV Caroni River (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The tanker struck a mine in the English Channel off Falmouth, Cornwall (50.1°N, -5.01667°W) and sank. All 47 crew were rescued by the Falmouth lifeboat and a Royal Navy cutter.
 * RMS Durham Castle (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo liner struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Cromarty, Ross and Cromarty whilst under tow to be sunk as a blockship at Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands.
 * SS Ekatontarchos Dracoulis (🇬🇷 Greece): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Portugal (40.33333°N, -10.11667°W) by GS U-44 (1939) with the loss of six of her 28 crew. The survivors were rescued by SS Ninopadre ( undefined).
 * SS Miranda (1921) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 30 nmi north west of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom (58.23333°N, -2.08333°W) by GS U-57 (1938) with the loss of fourteen of her seventeen crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Discovery II.
 * SS Nautic (🇪🇪 Estonia): The cargo ship foundered off the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom (63.71667°N, 0.71667°W). All crew were rescued.

21 January

 * SS Andalusia (🇸🇪 Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship last made a radio contact on this day. It is believed that she was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Ireland by GS U-55 (1939) with the loss of all 21 crew. The date of sinking may have been 23 January.
 * HMS Exmouth (H02) : World War II: The E-class destroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the Moray Firth, off Inverness (58.3°N, -2.41667°W) by GS U-22 (1936) with the loss of all 175 crew.
 * SS Ferryhill (1916) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The collier struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Blyth, Northumberland (55.08333°N, -1.45°W) with the loss of eleven of her thirteen crew. Survivors were rescued by HMT Young Jacob (FY975).
 * MV Orazio ( undefined): The passenger ship caught fire 40 nmi south west of Toulon, Var, France due to an engine failure. One hundred and six people were killed. The ship sank early the next day. The survivors were rescued by SS Cellina, SS Colombo (1917), SS Conte Biancamano (all undefined); FRENCH DESTROYER Kersaint, FRENCH AUXILIARY PATROL VESSEL Ville d'Ajaccio (both ); SS Djebel Dira, SS Djebel Nador, SS Gouvernor General Cambon, SS Gouvernor General Grevy and ST Six Fours (all 🇫🇷 France).
 * SS Protesilaus (🇬🇧 United Kingdom: World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine in the Bristol Channel (51.51667°N, -4.06667°W) and was beached off Swansea, Glamorgan where she was declared a total loss. All 60 crew were rescued by HMT Paramount (FY594).
 * SS Rynanna (🇮🇪 Ireland): The cargo ship ran aground on the Goodwin Sands, Kent (51.27361°N, 1.50833°W) and sank.
 * SS Tekla (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed in the North Sea south of the Orkney Islands (58.3°N, -2.41667°W) by GS U-22 (1936) ( and sunk with the loss of nine of her eighteen crew. The survivors were rescued by SS Iris (1901) (🇳🇴 Norway) and HMS Sikh (F82).

22 January

 * MV Gothia (🇸🇪 Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk off the Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom (57.76667°N, -9.83333°W) by GS U-51 (1938) with the loss of twelve of her 23 crew.
 * MS Segovia (1921) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship departed from an English port for Norway. No further trace, possibly torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea by GS U-55 (1939) or struck a mine and sank with the loss of all 23 crew.
 * SS Songa (1922) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 220 nmi west of the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom by GS U-25 (1936) . All 25 crew were rescued.
 * SS Sydfold (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (58.66667°N, -0.5°W) by GS U-61 (1939) with the loss of five of her 24 crew. The survivors were rescued by SS Rona (1894) (🇳🇴 Norway).

23 January

 * SS Baltanglia (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: the cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Lindisfarne (55.58333°N, -1.45°W) by GS U-19 (1936) . All 27 crew survived.
 * SS Ila (1939) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship came ashore on the south coast of England.
 * Mulhausen (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The trawler struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea off Pillau, East Prussia.
 * SS Onto (🇫🇮 Finland): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (52.85°N, 2.18333°W). All eighteen crew were rescued by HMS Auckland (L61).
 * SS Pluto (1918) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (55.58333°N, -1.45°W) by GS U-19 (1936) . All 22 crew were rescued by a Finnish ship.
 * SS Varild (1910) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea north east of Kinnaird Head, Aberdeenshire by GS U-18 (1936) with the loss of all fifteen crew.

24 January

 * SS Alsacien (🇫🇷 France): World War II: Convoy KS 56: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south east of Cabo Espichel, Portugal (39.01667°N, -9.9°W) by GS U-44 (1939) ( with the loss of four crew.
 * SS Bisp (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea east of the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (59.08333°N, 1.21667°W) by GS U-18 (1936) ( with the loss of all fifteen crew.
 * SS Gleaner (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship foundered in Liverpool Bay off Southport, Lancashire.
 * YUGOSLAV DESTROYER Ljubljana : The destroyer was ran aground and sank off Šibenik, Yugoslavia. Later raised, and captured by the Italians during their invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941.
 * SS Notung (🇫🇮 Finland): Winter War: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Baltic Sea between Turku and the Åland Islands by Soviet Air Force aircraft.

25 January

 * SS Biarritz (1922) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 30 nmi off IJmuiden, North Holland, Netherlands (52.65°N, 4.25°W) by GS U-14 (1936) with the loss of 38 of the 57 people on board. The survivors were rescued by SS Borgholm (1922) (🇳🇴 Norway).
 * SS Everne (🇱🇻 Latvia): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off the coast of Northumberland, United Kingdom by GS U-19 (1936) with the loss of one of her 31 crew. Survivors were rescued by SS Dole (🇱🇻 Latvia) and the fishing vessel Evesham (🇬🇧 United Kingdom).
 * SS Gleneden (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship struck a rock off Bardsey Island, Caernarvonshire and was damaged. She was beached off Puffin Island, Anglesey and declared a constructive total loss. All 60 crew were rescued
 * SS Gudveig (1919) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off the Farne Islands, United Kingdom by GS U-19 (1936) with the loss of ten of her eighteen crew. The survivors were rescued by SS Dole (🇱🇻 Latvia), the fishing vessel Evesham (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) and SS Vim (🇳🇴 Norway).
 * SS Tourny (🇫🇷 France): World War II: Convoy KS 56: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Spain (38°N, -9.91667°W) by GS U-44 (1939) with the loss of eight crew. The survivors were rescued by SS Castillo Monforte (🇪🇸 Spain).

26 January

 * HMS Durham Castle : World War II: The accommodation ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 11 nmi off Cromarty whilst under tow to Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands.
 * SS Fu Yuang (🇳🇴 Norway): The cargo ship sprang a leak and sank in the Pacific Ocean (33.66667°N, 139.93333°W).

27 January

 * SS Adamantios J Pithis (🇬🇷 Greece): The cargo ship was wrecked on Cam Rocks, near St Ann's Head, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom.
 * Caerphilly Castle (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland by Luftwaffe aircraft.
 * SS England (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea north of Inverness-shire, United Kingdom by GS U-20 (1936) with the loss of twenty of her 21 crew.
 * SS Faro (1918) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The coaster was torpedoed and damaged in the North Sea 15 nmi south east of Copinsay, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (58.41667°N, -1.88333°W) by GS U-20 (1936) . The wreck drifted ashore the next day in Taracliff Bay, Copinsay. Seven of the fifteen crew were killed.
 * SS Fredensborg (1922) (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea (58.41667°N, -1.88333°W) by GS U-20 (1936) ( with the loss of all twenty crew.
 * SS Halton (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship foundered off Lundy, England. Wreck broken up at Briton Ferry, Wales, from September 1940.
 * SS Hosanger (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea east of the Orkney Islands (58.41667°N, -1.88333°W) by GS U-20 (1936) with the loss of seventeen of her eighteen crew. The survivor was rescued by HMS Northern Reward.
 * SS President Quezon (🇵🇭 Philippines): The ocean liner struck a reef in the Pacific Ocean off the Ryukyu Islands, Japan and sank with the loss of one life.
 * HMT Riant : The naval trawler foundered off Gigha, Argyllshire.

28 January

 * SS Bauta (1919) (🇳🇴 Norway): The cargo ship collided with SS Mälaren (🇸🇪 Sweden) in Oslofjord and sank in shallow water. Raised in 1942, repaired and returned to service in September 1943.
 * SS Eleni Stathatou (🇬🇷 Greece): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 90 mi south west of the Fastnet Rock by U-34 with the loss of 13 of her 33 crew.
 * SS Eston (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy FN 81: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Blyth, Northumberland (55.05°N, -1.4°W) with the loss of all eighteen crew.
 * SS Flora Nomicos (🇬🇷 Greece): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Figuera le Foz, Portugal by GS U-44 (1939) with the loss of all 25 crew.

29 January

 * SS Badjestan (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground off Clachaig Point, Isle of Arran, Bute. All crew were rescued by HMS Maori (F24).
 * East Dudgeon Lightship (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The lightship was bombed and sunk by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of seven of her eight crew.
 * SS Eika (1938) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in St George's Channel (50°N, -10.58333°W) by GS U-51 (1939) with the loss of fourteen of her sixteen crew. The two survivors were rescued by U-51.
 * SS Gripfast (1910) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and damaged in the North Sea by Luftwaffe aircraft off the coast of Yorkshire and beached at the mouth of Bridlington Harbour with the loss of one crew member. She was later repaired and returned to service.
 * SS High Wave (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy FS 83A: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the North Sea north of Margate, Kent with by a four-engined Luftwaffe aircraft. Eighteen survivors were rescued by the trawler Rian (🇳🇱 Netherlands).
 * MV Nora (1931) (🇳🇱 Netherlands): The coaster struck a mine in The Downs, off Deal, Kent and was beached.
 * SS Skude (1921) (🇳🇴 Norway): The coaster sprang a leak and sank in the North Sea off the Shipwash Lightship (🇬🇧 United Kingdom).
 * SS Stanburn (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk off the coast of Yorkshire by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe with the loss of 25 of her 28 crew.

30 January

 * SS Bancrest (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and damaged in the North Sea east of the Orkney Islands by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe with the loss of one of her crew. She came ashore at Wick, Caithness. The survivors were rescued by HMS Javelin (F61).
 * SS Fingal I (🇳🇴 Norway): The cargo ship suffered an explosion in her hold and sank off Barra, Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom. All eleven crew were rescued.
 * SS Giralda (1924) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom: World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the North Sea east of Grim Ness, Orkney Islands by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of X Fliegerkorps, Luftwaffe with the loss of all 23 crew.
 * SS Keramiai (🇬🇷 Greece): World War II: Convoy OA 80G: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Lands End, Cornwall (48.61667°N, -7.76667°W) by GS U-55 (1939) . There were 35 survivors, who were rescued by SS British Unity (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) and HMS Fowey.
 * GS U-15 (1936) : The Type IIB submarine collided with Iltis ( in the North Sea, off the Netherlands (54.35°N, 4.83333°W) and sank with the loss of all 25 crew.
 * GS U-55 (1939) : World War II: The Type VIIB submarine was depth charged, shelled and sunk in the North Sea off the Shetland Islands by Guépard, Valmy (both ) HMS Fowey (L15), HMS Whitshed (D77) (both ) and a Short Sunderland aircraft of 228 Squadron, Royal Air Force with the loss of one of her 42 crew. The survivors were rescued by HMS Fowey (L15).
 * SS Vaclite (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy OA 80G: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Cornwall (49.33333°N, -7.06667°W) by GS U-55 (1939) . All 35 crew were rescued by SS Pollenzo ( undefined).
 * SS Voreda (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and damaged in the North Sea off Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk by Luftwaffe aircraft and was beached on the Winterton Shoal.

31 January

 * SS Fram (🇸🇪 Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off the north coast of Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom by GS U-13 (1935) with the loss of nineteen of her 24 crew.
 * SS Fingal I (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The coaster foundered in a storm whilst on a voyage from Bodø to Dublin, Ireland.
 * SS Start (1923) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea north of Buckie, Aberdeenshire by GS U-13 (1935) with the loss of all sixteen crew.
 * SS Vidar (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the North Sea east of the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (58.65°N, 2°W) by GS U-21 (1936) with the loss of sixteen of her 34 crew. The ship sank the next day.

Unknown date

 * Arabia ( undefined): The cargo ship ran aground in the Black Sea off Constanța, Romania.
 * SS Bucuresti (🇷🇴 Romania): The ocean liner ran aground in Greek waters and was severely damaged.
 * SS Foxer (🇸🇪 Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea with the loss of eighteen of her nineteen crew.
 * MV Lycia (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled in Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands.
 * GERMAN PATROL VESSEL M-132 : World War II: The patrol vessel struck a mine off the west coast of Jutland, Denmark and sank with the loss of all 70 crew. Wreckage drifted ashore in the days prior to 10 January.
 * SS Nora (🇳🇱 Netherlands): The coaster broke adrift in a storm, struck Deal Pier and was then beached at Deal, Kent.