List of shipwrecks in March 1940

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

1 March

 * SS Mirella ( undefined): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off the coast of Suffolk, United Kingdom (52.7°N, 2.03333°W) by U-20 with the loss of one of her 30 crew. The survivors were rescued by HMT Cape Argona and HMS Wallace (1918) (both ).
 * SS New Yorker (🇺🇸 United States): The passenger ship was destroyed by fire whilst laid up at Marlboro, New York.
 * Troja (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was intercepted by HMS Despatch (D30) off Aruba, Netherlands Antilles and was scuttled by her crew.
 * SS Vestfoss (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 12 nmi east by south of Copinsay Orkney Islands, United Kingdom by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe. All nineteen crew were rescued by SS Star of Liberty (🇬🇧 United Kingdom).

2 March

 * SS Albano (1912) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 4 nmi east of Hartlepool, Co Durham. All 29 crew were rescued by HMT Stella Carino and HMS Wallace (1918) (both ).
 * MV Domala (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo liner was bombed and set on fire in the North Sea off the coast of Belgium by Heinkel He 111H aircraft of KG26 with the loss of 108 of the 291 people on board. Domala was towed to the Solent and beached. She was requisitioned by the Ministry of War Transport, converted to a cargo ship and entered service as Empire Attendant.
 * MV Elziena (🇳🇱 Netherlands): World War II: The coaster was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 5 nmi off Coquet Island, Northumberland, United Kingdom by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe with the loss of two of her five crew.
 * HMS Fairplay II : World War II: The tug ran aground at Redcar, Yorkshire and was wrecked.
 * Heidelberg (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was intercepted in the Caribbean Sea west of the Windward Passage by HMS Dunedin and was scuttled by her crew.
 * SS Lagaholm (🇸🇪 Sweden): World War II: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 80 nmi west of the Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (59.56667°N, -5.16667°W) by GS U-32 (1937) . All 27 crew were rescued by MS Belpamela (🇳🇴 Norway).
 * SS Mirella ( undefined): World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, United Kingdom by GS U-20 (1936) with the loss of one of her 30 crew.
 * SS Rijnstroom (🇳🇱 Netherlands): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Zeebrugge, West Flanders, Belgium (51.6°N, 2.9°W) by GS U-17 (1935) with the loss of all twelve crew.
 * Wolfsburg (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was intercepted north of Iceland (67.33333°N, -22.83333°W) by HMS Berwick ( and was scuttled by her crew.

3 March

 * Arucas (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The passenger ship was intercepted in the Atlantic Ocean east of Iceland (63.33333°N, -14.7°W) by HMS York ) and was scuttled with the loss of three of her 42 crew.
 * SS Carron (1894) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship sank in Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands.
 * SS Cato (1914) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Bristol Channel south of Nash Point, Glamorgan (51.4°N, -3.55°W) with the loss of thirteen of her fifteen crew. The survivors were rescued by HMT Akita (FY610).
 * SS Rijnstroom (🇳🇱 Netherlands): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in The Downs, off the coast of Kent, United Kingdom by GS U-17 (1935) with the loss of all twelve crew.
 * SS Timber Rush (🇺🇸 United States): The cargo ship ran aground 85 nmi south of Acapulco, Mexico and was wrecked.

4 March

 * Douglas & Robert (🇨🇦 Canada): The sailing ship ran aground at Arnold's Point, Little Harbour, Labrador and was wrecked.
 * MV Pacific Reliance (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel 32 nmi off Trevose Head, Cornwall (50.38333°N, -5.81667°W) by GS U-29 (1936) . All 53 crew were rescued by SS Macville and SS San Florentino (both 🇬🇧 United Kingdom).
 * SS S.N.A. 1 (🇫🇷 France): The cargo ship collided with SS Thurston (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) in the Bristol Channel off the north coast of Cornwall and sank. All 31 crew were rescued by Thurston.
 * SS Thurston (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel 32 nmi off Trevose Head, Cornwall (50.38333°N, -5.81667°W) by GS U-29 (1936) with the loss of 34 crew of her 35 crew. Thirty of the survivors from S.N.A. 1 were also killed. The survivor, and a survivor from S.N.A. 1 were rescued by SS Moyle (🇬🇧 United Kingdom).

5 March

 * SS Grutto (🇳🇱 Netherlands): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Ostend, West Flanders, Belgium (51.68333°N, 2.78333°W) by GS U-17 (1935) with the loss of all eighteen crew.

6 March

 * HNLMS O 11 : The O 9-class submarine collided with the tug Amsterdam (🇳🇱 Netherlands) at Den Helder and sank. She was refloated on 10 March.
 * Uruguay (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was intercepted in the Atlantic Ocean off Iceland (67.86667°N, -16.13333°W) by HMS Berwick and was scuttled by her crew.

7 March

 * FRENCH AUXILIARY MINESWEEPER Marie Yette : The auxiliary minesweeper collided with SS Spramex (🇫🇷 France in the Gironde and sank.
 * SS Vecht (🇳🇱 Netherlands): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Knokke-Heist, West Flanders, Belgium (51.75°N, 3.08333°W) by GS U-14 (1936) with the loss of all 22 crew.
 * Yolande-Marguerite (🇧🇪 Belgium): World War II: The fishing vessel was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off the Noord Hinder Lightship by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe.

8 March

 * SS Counsellor (1926) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: Convoy HX 22: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in Liverpool Bay off the Mersey Lightship (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) (53.63333°N, -3.38333°W). All 68 crew were rescued by HMS Walpole (D41).
 * SS Regina (1904) (🇨🇺 Cuba): The tanker foundered in the Gulf of Mexico off Bradenton Beach, Florida United States.

9 March

 * SS Abbotsford (1924) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Cornwall by GS U-14 (1936) ( with the loss of all sixteen crew.
 * SS Akeld (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (51.73333°N, 3.36667°W) by GS U-14 (1936) with the loss of all thirteen crew.
 * SS Ashley (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The collier ran aground on the Goodwin Sands, Kent. She broke in two on 11 March.
 * SS Borthwick (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (51.73333°N, 3.36667°W) by GS U-14 (1936) . All 21 crew were rescued by the Vlissingen pilot boat Loodsboot No.9.
 * SS Chevy Chase (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the north coast of Norfolk 53.3°N, 1.21667°W). All 21 crew were  rescued by the trawler Monimia (🇬🇧 United Kingdom).
 * Leukos (🇮🇪 Ireland): World War II: The trawler was shelled and sunk off Tory Island by GS U-38 (1938) with the loss of all eleven crew.
 * SS Maindy Hill (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship collided with SS St Rosario (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) in the North Sea 3 nmi north east of Hartlepool, Co Durham and sank. All 23 crew were rescued.
 * SS P Margaronis (🇬🇷 Greece): World War II: The cargo ship was torpoedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel off the north coast of Cornwall by GS U-28 (1936) with the loss of all 30 crew.
 * Santa Godelieva (🇧🇪 Belgium): World War II: The fishing vessel struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Ostend, West Flanders by aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe, with the loss of three crew.

10 March
No ships were lost on this day.

11 March

 * SS Amor (1911) (🇳🇱 Netherlands): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (51.4°N, 2.15°W). All 33 crew were rescued by SS City of Bremen (1897) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom).
 * SS Clan Stuart (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The cargo ship collided with SS Orlock Head (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) in the English Channel 18 nmi south east of Start Point, Devon and sank. All 75 crew were rescued.
 * MV Eulota (🇳🇱 Netherlands): World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 120 nmi west of Ouessant, France (48.58333°N, -8.36667°W) by GS U-28 (1936) . All 42 crew were rescued by HMS Wild Swan (D62) . The ship was scuttled by HMS Broke (D83).
 * Halifax (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler caught a mine in her nets whilst fishing in the North Sea. The mine exploded sinking the vessel. All nine crew were rescued by the trawler Ipswich (🇬🇧 United Kingdom).
 * GS U-31 (1936) : World War II: The Type VIIA submarine was bombed and sunk in the Jade Bight by a Bristol Blenheim aircraft of the Royal Air Force with the loss of all 58 people on board. She was subsequently salvaged, repaired and returned to service.

12 March

 * SS Gardenia (1928) (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Cromer, Norfolk (53.06667°N, 1.55°W). All 33 crew were rescued by HMT Viviana.
 *  Rose Effeuilée (🇫🇷 France): World War II: The barquentine struck a mine in the North Sea (51.41667°N, 1.75°W) and sank. All crew were rescued.

13 March

 * Eschersheim (🇩🇪 Germany): The cargo ship struck a submerged wreck in the Skaggerak off Hirtshals, Denmark and was beached at 57.6°N, 9.95°W.
 * SS Idant (🇦🇺 Australia): The coaster sank off the mouth of the Camden Haven River, New South Wales.
 * La Coruña (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was intercepted in the Atlantic Ocean south east of Iceland (63°N, -10.33333°W) by HMS Maloja and was scuttled by her crew, all 68 of whom were rescued by HMS Majola.
 * SS Rossington Court (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): Convoy HX 26: The cargo ship was in collision with MV Athelviking (🇬🇧 United Kingdom in the Atlantic Ocean 600 nmi east of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and sank. All 37 crew were rescued.
 * SS Tina Promo ( undefined): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine in the Goodwin Sands, Kent, United Kingdom and sank.
 * GS U-44 (1939) : World War II: The Type IXA submarine struck a mine in the North Sea off the coast of the Netherlands (54.23333°N, 5.1°W) and sank with the loss of all 47 crew.

15 March

 * SS Melrose (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the coast of Belgium (51.35°N, 2.21667°W). Five of her 23 crew were rescued.
 * HMT Peridot (FY 198) : World War II: The naval trawler struck a mine and was damaged in the English Channel off Dover, Kent (51°N, 1.58333°W). The crew were rescued by HMT Saon and the ship was taken in tow by HMS Brilliant (H84). ST Lady Duncannon (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) later took over the tow by the ship sank before she could be brought into port.
 * SS Saba (🇳🇱 Netherlands): World War II: The coaster struck a mine and sank in the North Sea.

16 March

 * HMT Maida : World War II: The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea east of North Foreland, Kent, with the loss of six of her twelve crew. The survivors were rescued by HMT Mare.
 * SS Osman (🇸🇪 Sweden): The cargo ship ran aground in the Baltic Sea off Risør, Norway and was wrecked. Ten crew were killed.
 * SS Slava ( undefined): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Bristol Channel south of Nash Point, Glamorgan, United Kingdom (51.32917°N, -3.64583°W) with the loss of one crewmember.

17 March

 * SS Alyn (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The coaster ran aground on Fort Island, Isle of Man with the loss of two of her nine crew.
 * MV Argentina (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom (60.78333°N, -0.5°W) by GS U-38 (1938) with the loss of all 33 crew.
 * MV Basra (1914) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: Convoy ON 20: The cargo ship was in collision with SS Listo (🇳🇴 Norway in the North Sea and sank The 27 crew were rescued by SS Løvaas (🇳🇴 Norway.
 * SS Capitaine Augustin (🇫🇷 France): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea north of Margate, Kent, United Kingdom with the loss of two crew.
 * SS Kitafuku Maru (🇯🇵 Japan): The cargo ship ran aground at off Kumejima Island (26.33333°N, 126.93333°W) and was wrecked.
 * SS Kitahuku Maru (🇯🇵 Japan): The cargo ship ran aground in the Ryukyu Islands and was wrecked.
 * Ocean Drift (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): The fishing vessel collided with HMS Intrepid (D10) in the North Sea and sank with the loss of two of her ten crew. The survivors were rescued by HMS Intrepid.
 * Prontius (🇳🇱 Netherlands): The fishing vessel was bombed and sunk off the Middle Rough Bank by Heinkel He 111 bombers from the Kampfgeschwader 26.
 * SS Sint Annaland (🇳🇱 Netherlands): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the coast of Belgium (51.38333°N, 2.01667°W). All crew were rescued by SS Schieland and SS Schokland (both 🇳🇱 Netherlands).

18 March

 * Protinus (🇳🇱 Netherlands): World War II: The trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off IJmuiden, North Holland by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe with the loss of four of her eleven crew. The survivors were rescued by HMS Unity (N66).
 * SS Tina Primo ( undefined) World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea off the east coast of Kent, United Kingdom. She was taken in tow by ST Kenia (🇬🇧 United Kingdom but struck two more mines and sank at 51.33333°N, 1.7°W with the loss of one of her 37 crew.

19 March

 * SS Charkow (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off the north coast of Inverness-shire, United Kingdom (58.11667°N, -2.65°W) by GS U-19 (1936) with the loss of all 20 crew.
 * SS Minsk (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the North Sea off the north coast of Inverness-shire (58.11667°N, -2.65°W) by GS U-19 (1936) with the loss of eleven of her twenty crew. The survivors were rescued by HMS Esk (1934).
 * SS Viking (1893) (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpoedoed and sunk in the North Sea off the north coast of Inverness-shire (58.13333°N, -2.63333°W) by GS U-19 (1936) with the loss of fifteen of her seventeen crew.

20 March

 * SS Agnes Ellen (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) The coaster departed from Holyhead, Anglesey for Workington, Cumberland. No further trace.
 * SS Barn Hill (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and damaged in the English Channel 3 nmi south south west of Beachy Head, East Sussex by aircraft of KG26, Luftwaffe. She was beached south east of Langney Point but broke her back on 26 March, a total loss.
 * SS Bothal (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off the north coast of Inverness-shire, United Kingdom by GS U-19 (1936) ( with the loss of fifteen of her twenty crew.
 * Lowdock (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The trawler collided with HMT Lady Philomena  in the North Sea off Montrose, Angus and sank with the loss of all but one crew.
 * SS Phobos (🇳🇱 Netherlands): World War II: The tanker struck a mine and sank off the south east coast of the United Kingdom with the loss of seven of her 37 crew.
 * Sperrbrecher 12 : World War II: The sperrbrecher was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Ameland, Netherlands by Royal Air Force aircraft.
 * SS Svinta (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: Convoy ON 21: The cargo ship was bombed and damaged in the North Sea by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was taken in tow by ST St Mellons (🇬🇧 United Kingdom) but sank 4.75 nmi east of Copinsay, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom following and explosion. She may have struck a mine.

21 March

 * MV Algier (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (60.28333°N, -2.81667°W), by GS U-38 (1938) with the loss of five of the 26 people on board. The survivors were rescued by HMT Manx King.
 * MV Christiansborg (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (60.28333°N, -2.81667°W), by GS U-38 (1938) with the loss of one of her 25 crew. The survivors were rescued by HMS Discovery II.
 * PS Gondolier (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The paddle steamer was scuttled in Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands.
 * Heddernheim (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Skaggerak north east of Skagen, Denmark (57.81111°N, 10.89167°W) by HMS Ursula.

22 March

 * SS Bravore (1915) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 4 nmi off Ramsgate, Kent, United Kingdom.

23 March

 * Edmund Hugo Stinnes IV (🇩🇪 Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Skaggerak off Jutland, Denmark by HMS Truant and was subsequently scuttled. The captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
 * HMT Loch Assater : World War II: The naval trawler struck a mine in the North Sea 61 nmi north of Kinnaird Head, Aberdeenshire and sank. All crew were rescued by HMT Strathtummel.

24 March

 * La Railleuse : The Adroit-class destroyer was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Casablanca, Morocco by the accidental explosion of its own torpedoes with the loss of 28 crew.
 * Ostpreussen (🇩🇪 Germany): The cargo ship ran aground off Skalderup, Denmark.

25 March

 * SS Britta (1921) (🇩🇰 Denmark): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea north east of the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom (60°N, -4.31667°W) by GS U-47 (1938) with the loss of thirteen of her eighteen crew. The survivors were rescued by SS Nancy (1921) (🇩🇰 Denmark).
 * SS Daghestan (🇬🇧 United Kingdom): World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea east of the Orkney Islands (59.35°N, -1.8°W) by GS U-57 (1938) with the loss of four of her 32 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMT Brontes (FY118) and HMT Northern Wave (FY153) (both ).

26 March

 * MV Cometa (1921) (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Shetland Islands (60.1°N, -4.6°W) by GS U-38 (1938) . All 42 people on board were rescued by HMS Northern Sky.

27 March

 * GS U-21 (1936) : The Type IIB submarine ran aground off Mandal, Vest-Agder, Norway (58.01667°N, 7.48333°W). She was later refloated and interned at Kristiansand-Sud until 9 April 1940.

28 March

 * SS Burgos (🇳🇴 Norway): World War II: Convoy FS 31: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea north of Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, United Kingdom. All 32 crew were rescued by HMS Pelican (L86).

29 March

 *  Hebridean (🇨🇦 Canada): The schooner was rammed by another vessel and sank at Halifax, Nova Scotia. There were nine fatalities.
 * Mimi Horn ( Nazi Germany): World War II: The cargo ship was intercepted in the Denmark Strait by HMS Transylvania (_ and was scuttled by her crew at 65.83333°N, -28.5°W. All 41 crew were rescued by HMS Transylvania.

30 March

 * SS Thordoc (🇨🇦 Canada): The cargo ship ran aground off Winging Point, 20 nmi south of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia and was wrecked.

31 March

 * SS Nylanden (🇳🇴 Norway): The cargo ship foundered 1 nmi off Arinagour, Isle of Coll, United Kingdom.

Unknown

 * GS U-22 (1936) : World War II: The Type IIB submarine was lost on or after 27 March 1940, probably to a mine.