List of shipwrecks in 1940

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

Unknown date

 * SS Agate (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground on Islay and was wrecked.
 * PS Captain Sturt (🇦🇺 Australia): The paddle steamer sank off Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
 * ST Dalhousie (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The tug was scuttled.
 * SS Haalegg (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was either bombed and sunk at Narvik, Nordland by Luftwaffe aircraft on 17 May; or was shelled and sunk by Royal Navy ships on 13 April. Raised in 1945, repaired and returned to service.
 * PS Jupiter (🇦🇺 Australia): The paddle steamer sank off Port Adelaide, South Australia.
 * SS Kai (1921) (🇩🇰 Denmark: World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in Danish waters. Later refloated, repaired and returned to service.
 * SS Kurrara (🇦🇺 Australia): The coaster ran aground at Port Stephens, New South Wales and was wrecked.
 * PS Lancashire Lass (🇦🇺 Australia): The paddle steamer sank off Adelaide, South Australia.
 *  Lass of Geraldton (🇦🇺 Australia): The sailing ship sank in Australian waters.
 * HMS LCT-705 : The Landing Craft, Tank sank off Dunkerque, Nord, France.
 * SS Marzocco (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled as a blockship off Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.
 * HMAS Psyche (🇦🇺 Australia): The lighter sank in Salamander Bay, New South Wales off Port Stephens.
 * SS Raab Karcher (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Oosterschelde.
 * SS Regina (1904) (🇺🇸 United States): The tanker sank off Bradenton Beach, Florida.
 * MV Rødskjæl (🇳🇴 Norway: World War II: The coastal tanker was bombed and sunk at Narvik, Nordland by Luftwaffe aircraft. The date of the attack may have been 4 May 1940.
 * SS Tealings (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk.
 * HMS Thames (N71) : World War II: The River-class submarine was lost in the North Sea sometime during July or August 1940.