List of shipwrecks in 1948
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2 January
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Silvia Onorato |  Italy |
The cargo ship ran aground on the Goodwin Sands and broke her back.[1] |
3 January
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lynn Trader |  United Kingdom |
The coaster ran aground in Bridlington Bay, Yorkshire.[2] |
6 January
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| City of London | United Kingdom |
The cargo ship ran aground 20 nautical miles (37 km) north west of Margate, Kent. Refloated the next day.[3] |
7 January
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Teasel | United Kingdom |
The coaster ran aground near Holyhead, Anglesey.[3] |
9 January
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Podolsk |  Soviet Union |
The cargo ship ran aground on the Amherst Rocks in the Yangtze Estuary 60 nautical miles (110 km) from Wusong, China. She sank two days later.[4] |
11 January
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Veni |  Norway |
The cargo ship ran aground on Balach Rocks, Islay, Inner Hebrides, United Kingdom whilst on a voyage from Leith, Midlothian to Sfax, Tunisia.[5] |
12 January
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph V. Connolly |  United States Army |
The Liberty ship caught fire in the Atlantic Ocean 900 nautical miles (1,700 km) east of New York and was abandoned. She sank on 29 January at 40°47′N 52°48′W / 40.783°N 52.800°W.[6] |
16 January
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Svein Jarl | Norway |
The cargo ship struck a mine and sank off Patras, Greece. Nine crew were killed.[5] |
18 January
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra Cordoba | United Kingdom |
The passenger ship ran aground off Fanø, Denmark (55°50′N 7°33′E / 55.833°N 7.550°E).[7] |
19 January
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Oriana |  United Kingdom |
The Modified-Stella type tug struck a mine and sank off Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. She was towing the minesweeper D. 366 ( Royal Navy) from Chatham, Kent to Brightlingsea, Essex.[8] |
21 January
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Argo | Norway |
The cargo ship struck a mine and sank whilst on a voyage from Venice, Italy to Rijeka, Yugoslavia. Eleven crew were killed.[5] |
30 January
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Toxteth | United Kingdom |
The tug collided with Basis ( Norway) in the River Mersey. She capsized and sank with the loss of all four crew.[9] |
31 January
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Samkey | United Kingdom |
The Liberty ship was presumed to have foundered in the Atlantic Ocean. Last reported position 41°48′N 24°00′W / 41.800°N 24.000°W.[10] |
February
3 February
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| DD-934 | United States Navy |
The captured Akizuki-class destroyer, formerly Hanazuki ( Imperial Japanese Navy), was sunk as a target by United States Navy forces off Japan's Gotō Islands. |
| USS Trippe | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Benham-class destroyer was sunk as a gunnery target in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein after use as a target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
6 February
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gertrude L. Thebaud | United States |
The fishing schooner sank off the coast of La Guaira, Venezuela.[11] |
10 February
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Pennsylvania | United States Navy |
_sinking_off_Kwajalein02_1948.jpg) |
12 February
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Soegio |  Netherlands |
The tug struck a mine and sank in Macassar Strait off Borneo 2°36′S 116°33′E / 2.600°S 116.550°E`.[12] |
16 February
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Banner | United States Navy |
The Gilliam-class attack transport was scuttled in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests of 1946. |
18 February
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Amoy |  Tunisia |
The Tunis-registered cargo ship, converted from HMS Sandwich of 1928, foundered outside Port La Nouvelle, on a voyage from Oran to Sète with a cargo of oranges.[13][14] |
23 February
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| D L Co. No. XLIX | United States |
The 297-gross register ton, 110.1-foot (33.6 m) scow was wrecked on Makchanik Island (56°20′N 157°49′W / 56.333°N 157.817°W) in Chignik Bay (56°17′44″N 158°24′05″W / 56.2956°N 158.4015°W) on the south coast of the Alaska Peninsula in the Territory of Alaska.[15] |
24 February
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Baltic Queen | United Kingdom |
The cargo ship collided with Hembury ( Brazil) in the River Mersey and sank. All 25 crew were rescued.[16] |
27 February
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Virtu | United Kingdom |
The cargo ship was driven ashore between Bardia and Tobruk, Libya. She was later refloated and towed to Tobruk, where she was scrapped.[17] |
28 February
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Corundum | United States Army |
The Trefoil-class concrete barge was scuttled in Agat Bay, Guam.[18] |
29 February
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cecil G. Sellers | United States |
The Liberty ship caught fire south west of the Cocos Islands and was abandoned. She was declared a total loss and was consequently scrapped in 1950.[19] |
Unknown date
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gyeongsan |  Republic of Korea Navy |
The Geumgagsan-class minesweeper grounded and was damaged beyond repair. |
| Samnethy | United Kingdom |
The Liberty ship ran aground near the Owers Lightship off Selsey Bill, Sussex. Refloated on 22 February.[20] |
March
1 March
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Harm Fritzen | United Kingdom |
The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean (47°55′N 8°58′W / 47.917°N 8.967°W) with a cargo of obsolete chemical ammunition.[21] |
8 March
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Ralph Talbot | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Bagley-class destroyer was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein after use as a test target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
| USS Wilson | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Benham-class destroyer was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein after use as a test target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
9 March
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cowan |  New Zealand |
The wooden steam trawler sank after hitting rocks in Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand. |
| USS SC-632 | United States Navy |
The hulk of the SC-497-class submarine chaser, which had foundered at Okinawa on 16 September 1945, was destroyed. |
10 March
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Bracken | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Gilliam-class attack transport was scuttled in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein after use as a test target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
14 March
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| VP 61 |  French Navy |
The VP 51-class motor launch was lost at Tahiti. |
| VP 62 | French Navy |
The VP 51-class motor launch was lost at Tahiti. |
| VP 63 | French Navy |
The VP 51-class motor launch was lost at Tahiti. |
16 March
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS LCI(L)-329 | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Landing Craft, Infantry was scuttled at Kwajalein, Marshall Islands after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests.[22] |
22 March
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Mugford | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Bagley-class destroyer was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein after use as a test target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
| USS Rhind | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Benham-class destroyer was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein after use as a test target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
25 March
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis |  Greece |
The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea at 33°50′N 27°34′E / 33.833°N 27.567°E.[23] |
28 March
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Ocean |  Panama |
The Liberty ship ran aground off Alexandria, Egypt. She was on a voyage from Iquique, Peru, to Alexandria. She was refloated on 1 April. Although declared a constructive total loss, she was repaired and returned to service.[24] |
31 March
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Estebeth | United States |
The 70-gross register ton, 55.1-foot (16.8 m) motor passenger vessel was destroyed by fire in Southeast Alaska off Point Couverden (58°11′25″N 135°03′10″W / 58.19028°N 135.05278°W), 55 nautical miles (102 km; 63 mi) from Juneau, Territory of Alaska.[25] |
April
3 April
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bernice | United States |
The 14-gross register ton, 35.1-foot (10.7 m) fishing vessel was destroyed by fire in Carroll Inlet (55°17′N 131°30′W / 55.283°N 131.500°W) near Ketchikan, Territory of Alaska.[26] |
4 April
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Mayrant | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Benham-class destroyer was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests of 1946. |
8 April
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Strong | Norway |
The cargo ship sank off Egersund, Norway, with the loss of all nine crew.[5] |
9 April
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Georgia | United States |
The cargo ship struck a mine off La Pallice, Charente-Inférieure, France and was damaged.[27] |
10 April
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bert Williams | United States |
The Liberty ship was driven ashore in the Gulf of Suez. Later refloated and towed to Port Said, Egypt.[28] |
11 April
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| HMAS Barcoo | Royal Australian Navy |
The River-class frigate ran aground at Glenelg North, South Australia. She was undamaged and was later refloated. |
| Lino |  Italy |
The schooner was destroyed by an explosion at Bari whilst under arrest for carrying illegal arms bound for Syria.[29] |
18 April
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bert Williams | United States |
The Liberty ship was driven ashore in the Gulf of Suez 8 nautical miles (15 km) from the Al-Ashrafi Lighthouse. She was on a voyage from Fremantle, Western Australia to Suez, Egypt. She was refloated and towed in to Suez.[30] |
| USS Mustin | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Sims-class destroyer was sunk by gunfire in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests of 1946. |
19 April
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Dawson | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Gilliam-class attack transport was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, by gunfire from the heavy cruiser USS Helena ( United States Navy) after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests of 1946. |
| Duke of Sparta | United Kingdom |
Bound for London from Liverpool the ship stranded on the Seven Stones Reef, between the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall. She was refloated on same day; the only ship to get off the reef in modern times.[31] |
| USS LST-52 | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Landing Ship, Tank was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands, by gunfire after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests of 1946.[32] |
| O'Boyle | United States Navy |
The floating drydock sank off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.[33] |
23 April
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Jalisco | United States |
The 366-foot (112 m), concrete-hulled cargo ship ran aground in Yaquina Bay on 12 April. The vessel floated off with the tide and became stranded on Yaquina Bay North Reef, one-half-mile (0.80 km) offshore. She slid off the reef and sank on 23 April in 40 feet (12 m) of water.[34] |
24 April
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Stack | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Benham-class destroyer was sunk by gunfire in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests of 1946. |
Unknown date
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Heyong |  People's Liberation Army Navy |
Chinese Civil War: The tank landing craft was sunk by Nationalist Chinese fighter-bomber aircraft. Three crew were killed.[35] |
May
6 May
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Briscoe | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Gilliam-class attack transport was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, by gunfire from the light cruiser USS Duluth ( United States Navy) after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests of 1946. |
| USS Catron | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Gilliam-class attack transport was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, by gunfire from the light cruiser USS Atlanta ( United States Navy) after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests of 1946. |
8 May
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Venture | United States |
The 54-gross register ton 63-foot (19.2 m) wooden fishing vessel sank 10 nautical miles (19 km) northwest of Tugidak Island in the Trinity Islands of the Kodiak Archipelago, Territory of Alaska.[36] |
11 May
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Barrow | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Gilliam-class attack transport was scuttled in the Pacific Ocean just south of Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests of 1946.[37] |
| USS LST-133 | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Landing Ship, Tank was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands, by gunfire after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests of 1946.[38] |
12 May
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Butte | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Gilliam-class attack transport was scuttled in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests of 1946. |
| USS LST-220 | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Landing Ship, Tank was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands, by gunfire after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests of 1946.[39] |
| USS LST-545 | United States Navy |
The decommissioned LST-542-class tank landing ship was sunk as a target at Enewetak Atoll in the Operation Sandstone atomic bomb tests.[40] |
14 May
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lady Rae | United States |
The 12-gross register ton, 32.4-foot (9.9 m) fishing vessel was destroyed by fire in Southeast Alaska at the southeastern end of Woronkofski Island in the Alexander Archipelago.[41] |
| Rutland | Norway |
The cargo ship ran aground west of Tjøme, Norway, whilst on a voyage from Bergen to Oslo.[5] |
16 May
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Polglen | United Kingdom |
The coaster hit a mine and sank off Borkum, Netherlands. All fourteen crew were rescued by Glory ( Netherlands).[42] |
25 May
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Salt Lake City | United States Navy |
_being_sunk_as_a_target_on_25_May_1948.jpg) |
31 May
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bobolink | United States |
The 16-gross register ton, 37.5-foot (11.4 m) fishing vessel was destroyed by fire at Naknek, Territory of Alaska.[26] |
June
9 June
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| U-S-1 | United States |
The 91-gross register ton, 71.6-foot (21.8 m) scow sank at the anchorage at Naknek, Territory of Alaska.[43] |
11 June
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kjøbenhavn |  Denmark |
The passenger ship struck a mine and sank 15 nautical miles (28 km) off the east coast of Jutland with the loss of 48 lives.[44] |
16 June
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Altalena |  Israel |
 |
24 June
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fenris | Norway |
The tanker suffered a fire in her engine room whilst on a voyage from Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela to Le Havre, France. Declared a constructive total loss.[5] |
25 June
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Energetic | United Kingdom |
The fishing boat collided with the Liberty ship Chrysanthystar and sank in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) off The Lizard, Cornwall with the loss of five of her six crew.[45] |
Unknown date
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Batavia Road |  Australia |
The tourist boat ran aground on Half Moon Reef, Western Australia. |
July
2 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Conyngham | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Mahan-class destroyer was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off California after use as target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
| HMAS Vendetta | Royal Australian Navy |
The V-class destroyer was scuttled in the Tasman Sea off Sydney, Australia. |
4 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kenudy | United States |
The 11-gross register ton, 32.3-foot (9.8 m) fishing vessel sank in Clarence Strait in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) off Tolstoy Point (55°40′10″N 132°23′10″W / 55.66944°N 132.38611°W).[46] |
5 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Thalatta | Norway |
The cargo ship ran aground on the Siwadiwa Atoll in the Maldives. The vessel was refloated on 12 April 1949 and towed to Columbo, Ceylon, where she was declared a total loss.[5] |
| Uranus | Norway |
The cargo ship ran aground in Stokksundet, Norway, whilst on a voyage from Bergen to Tromsø.[5] |
| USS Wainwright | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Sims-class destroyer was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off Bikini Atoll after use as target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
8 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Francois Tixier |  France |
capsized and sank off Sheringham, England.[47] |
| USS New York | United States Navy |
The decommissioned New York-class battleship was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off Hawaii following use as a target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
17 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Amstelstroom | Netherlands |
The coaster ran aground on Lundy Island, Devon, United Kingdom. All eleven crew scrambled ashore.[48] |
18 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Marie |  Belgium |
The cargo ship collided with Bharatkhand ( United Kingdom) 8 nautical miles (15 km) north east of Ushant and sank.[48] |
| Marlene | United Kingdom |
The cargo ship struck a submerged object at Falmouth, Cornwall and was holed. She was beached in Great Molunan Cove to prevent her sinking.[48] |
20 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cronenburgh | Netherlands |
Ran aground between Stockholm and Mäntyluoto, Finland. The vessel was refloated but still leaking. The ship was repaired and returned to service. |
21 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Gasconade | United States Navy |
_is_sunk_as_a_target,_21_July_1948.jpg) |
24 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kiska | United States |
The 48-gross register ton, 59.6-foot (18.2 m) fishing vessel sank after colliding with the motor vessel Mayflower ( United States) at the entrance to South Kaigani Harbor (54°45′30″N 132°43′00″W / 54.75833°N 132.71667°W) on the south coast of Dall Island in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska.[46] |
25 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS LST-661 | United States Navy |
The LST-542-class tank landing ship was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Enewetak Atoll after use as a target in the Operation Sandstone atomic bomb tests. |
27 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Philip Heineken |  Germany |
The cargo ship was scuttled in the Skagerrak with a cargo of poison gas munitions.[49] |
28 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A S P No. 3 | United States |
The 40-gross register ton scow was wrecked on Salamatof Beach (60°37′15″N 151°20′30″W / 60.62083°N 151.34167°W) on the south-central coast of the Territory of Alaska north of Kenai.[50] |
| River Swift | United Kingdom |
The cargo ship caught fire at Buenos Aires, Argentina. She was declared uneconomical to repair and was scrapped in 1949.[51] |
29 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TID 147 | United Kingdom |
The TID-class tug foundered in the Hainan Strait during a typhoon. She was on a voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong.[52] |
31 July
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Nevada | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Nevada-class battleship was sunk as a target approximately 60 miles (97 km) southwest of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, after use as a target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
| Penstone | United Kingdom |
The coaster was in collision with Villanger ( Norway) in Liverpool Bay and sank with the loss of four of the six people on board.[53] |
Unknown date
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bert Williams | Italy |
The Liberty ship broke in two whilst under tow from Port Said, Egypt to an Italian port. The vessel's bow section was salvaged and subsequently joined to the stern section of Nathaniel Bacon ( United States).[28] |
August
1 August
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa | United States |
The 11-gross register ton, 32.3-foot (9.8 m) fishing vessel was wrecked in Harris Cove (56°19′30″N 134°17′00″W / 56.32500°N 134.28333°W) on the coast of Kuiu Island in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska.[54] |
3 August
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kenai I | United States |
The 163-gross register ton, 82.3-foot (25.1 m) motor cargo vessel was destroyed by fire at the mouth of the Kasilof River in Cook Inlet on the south-central coast of the Territory of Alaska.[46] |
| Maristella | Italy |
The cargo ship struck a mine and was damaged off Borkum, Allied-occupied Germany. She was consequently sold for scrapping in May 1950.[55] |
4 August
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Marian M | United States |
The 34-gross register ton, 49.2-foot (15.0 m) fishing vessel was lost in Salisbury Sound in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska 60 nautical miles (110 km; 69 mi) west of Sitka, Territory of Alaska, after she collided with an inactive naval mine.[56] |
11 August
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Skipjack | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Salmon-class submarine was sunk as a target by aircraft rockets off California after use as a target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
17 August
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dell | United States |
The 8-gross register ton, 36-foot (11.0 m) fishing vessel was destroyed by fire in Lynn Canal opposite the Chilkat River in Southeast Alaska near Haines, Territory of Alaska.[15] |
19 August
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Arleux |  Canada |
The fishing vessel Arleux foundered off White Head Bay, Nova Scotia.[57] |
22 August
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Empire Success | United Kingdom |
The cargo ship was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay (47°16′30″N 30°09′24″W / 47.27500°N 30.15667°W) with a cargo of obsolete chemical ammunition.[58][21] |
24 August
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Corena |  United Kingdom |
The 140.4-foot (42.8 m), 352-ton trawler ran aground in fog and was wrecked 6 miles (9.7 km) north of Frederickshaab, Greenland. Later salvaged and scrapped.[59] |
25 August
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | United Kingdom |
The passenger ship collided with the Liberty ship Ciclope in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) off St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight and was severely damaged. She was on a voyage from London to Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She put in to Southampton, Hampshire.[60] |
| Monte Nuria |  Spain |
The cargo ship was holed in the North Sea. She was beached at Sheringham, Norfolk, United Kingdom.[60] |
| Moonlight | United Kingdom |
The barge capsized and sank off Ardlamont Point, Argyllshire with the loss of four of the five people on board.[61] |
29 August
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hellenic Bulbul | United Kingdom |
The coaster ran aground on Domanik Island, Bay of Bengal, India and sank.[62][62] |
| Willard B | United States |
The 64-gross register ton, 73.3-foot (22.3 m) fishing vessel was wrecked in Lisianski Strait 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) north of Pelican City, Territory of Alaska.[63] |
30 August
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Prowess | Norway |
The ex-Portuguese-class naval trawler ran aground in Frøyskjæret, west of Florø whilst on a voyage from Poland to Vadsø, Norway. Refloated in 1951 and scrapped in 1954.[5] |
| HMS Worcester | Royal Navy |
The training ship sank in the Thames Estuary at Grays, Essex.[64] |
Unknown date
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Myra | United States |
The 10-gross register ton, 39.6-foot (12.1 m) motor cargo vessel was destroyed by fire in the harbor at Whittier, Territory of Alaska.[56] |
September
5 September
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Goose | United States |
The 12-gross register ton, 32.9-foot (10.0 m) fishing vessel was wrecked on the coast of the Territory of Alaska 23 nautical miles (43 km) west of Cape Spencer.[65] |
6 September
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Caledonia | United States |
The 164-gross register ton, 82.2-foot (25.1 m) fishing vessel sank in a storm off a location identified in the wreck report as "Icy Point" in Southeast Alaska. It is not clear to which of at least two locations of the name the wreck report refers.[54] |
11 September
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Mahackemo | United States Navy |
The tug sank in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina whilst under tow.[66] |
| USS Searaven | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Sargo-class submarine was sunk as a target after use as a target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
13 September
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Imp | United States |
The 7-gross register ton, 29.4-foot (9.0 m) fishing vessel sank 0.5 nautical miles (0.93 km) south of False Point Retreat (58°22′10″N 134°58′15″W / 58.36944°N 134.97083°W) in Southeast Alaska.[67] |
16 September
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Leicester | United Kingdom |
The Liberty ship was abandoned in the North Atlantic with the loss of six of her 45 crew. Survivors were rescued by the Victory ship Tropero ( Argentina) and Cecil Bean ( United States).[68][69] Leicester was located on 26 September by Foundation Lillian ( Canada) and towed to Bermuda By Foundation Josephine ( Canada), arriving 3 October. Beached by a hurricane on 7 October, re-floated 19 October, and towed to Newport News, Virginia, United States, arriving 31 October. Repaired and recommissioned 14 December.[68][70] |
| USS YOG-83 | United States Navy |
The 375 foot 5,410 ton YOG-40 class oil barge was beached in the Pacific Ocean at Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands after use as a target in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests of 1946 in September, 1946. She was refloated and scuttled.[71] |
19 September
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lochmonar | United Kingdom |
The cargo ship ran aground during a hurricane at Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. She was refloated on 30 September.[72][73] |
20 September
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dubrovnik | United States |
The 31-gross register ton, 49-foot (14.9 m) fishing vessel was destroyed by fire at Klawock, Territory of Alaska.[15] |
21 September
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| B F No. 9 | United States |
The 46-ton, 60-foot (18.3 m) wooden scow was wrecked between Crooked Island (57°46′35″N 152°23′26″W / 57.7764°N 152.3906°W) and Near Island opposite Kodiak, Territory of Alaska.[74] |
24 September
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Tuna | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Tambor-class submarine was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Mare Island, California, after use as a target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
27 September
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mui Lee | Norway |
The cargo ship was driven ashore at Hoihow, China in a typhoon. Refloated in 1949 and sold.[5] |
28 September
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maria Joana |  Portugal |
The cargo ship was wrecked at the entrance to Fogo Harbour, Newfoundland.[75] |
October
2 October
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Borgøy | Norway |
The cargo ship sprang a leak and sank off Lista, Norway, whilst on a voyage from Ålesund to Stockholm, Sweden.[5] |
5 October
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Skate | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Balao-class submarine was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off California after serving as a target for the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
6 October
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| HDMS Alken |  Royal Danish Navy |
The patrol boat was lost off Greenland with the loss of all eight crew.[76] |
| Nora | United States |
The 62-gross register ton, 68-foot (20.7 m) motor cargo vessel sank in the Gulf of Alaska off Middleton Island off the south-central coast of the Territory of Alaska.[77] |
| Takoradian | United Kingdom |
The cargo ship caught fire and sank at Copenhagen, Denmark.[78] |
15 October
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Skarstone | United States |
The 261-gross register ton, 98.6-foot (30.1 m) fishing vessel was wrecked on Yakataga Beach (60°03′40″N 142°26′00″W / 60.06111°N 142.43333°W) 40 nautical miles (74 km) west of Yakutat, Territory of Alaska.[79] |
| Star of Peace | United Kingdom |
The 115.7-foot (35.3 m), 210-ton trawler sprung a leak 40 miles (64 km) off St. Anne's Head. Isker took her crew off and put her under tow, but she sank.[80][81] |
16 October
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Hughes | United States Navy |
The decommissioned Sims-class destroyer was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, after being used as a target in the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests. |
17 October
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| P T & B Co. 1652 | United States |
The 1,008-gross register ton, 202.4-foot (61.7 m) barge sank in the Bering Sea approximately 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of Seguam Island in the Andreanof Islands group of the Aleutian Islands.[82] |
22 October
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| El Amir Farouq |  Royal Egyptian Navy |
1948 Arab-Israeli War, Operation Yoav: The El Amir Farouq-class sloop-of-war was sunk off the Gaza Strip by Israeli Navy MT explosive motorboats.[83] |
25 October
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Henny | Norway |
The cargo ship ran aground west of Rongevær, Norway, whilst on a voyage from Brevik to Namsos. Refloated on 2 April 1949, repaired and returned to service.[5] |
| Toby T | United States |
The 9-gross register ton, 29.9-foot (9.1 m) fishing vessel was destroyed by fire in Orca Inlet 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) from Cordova, Territory of Alaska.[84] |
26 October
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Empire Flamingo | United Kingdom |
The bow section of the Design 1022 ship sank in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south of the Longships Lighthouse, Cornwall whilst under tow. It was raised in 1949 and sunk off Gwennap Head, Cornwall.[85] Raised in 1949 and sunk off Gwennap Head, Cornwall.[86] |
| Wenche | Norway |
The cargo ship sank 100 nautical miles (190 km) south west of Kopervik, Norway, whilst on a voyage from Newcastle upon Tyne to Kopervik.[5] |
30 October
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Unnamed luzzu |  Malta |
1948 Gozo luzzu disaster: The fishing boat which was overloaded with passengers capsized and sank in the Gozo Channel off Qala, Gozo, Malta, killing 23 of the 27 people on board.[87] |
31 October
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tendringen | Norway |
The cargo ship ran aground and sank in the Namsenfjord, Norway, whilst on a voyage from Slemmestad to Namsos.[5] |
November
1 November
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| St Guenole | France |
The tanker ran aground at Gribba Head, Cornwall, United Kingdom with the loss of eleven of her twelve crew.[88] |
2 November
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Flandres | Belgium |
The Victory ship was driven ashore at Recife, Brazil. Although declared a constructive total loss, she was sold, repaired and returned to service.[89] |
4 November
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Esso Wheeling | United States |
The T2 tanker ran aground at Quoin Point, Union of South Africa. She was on a voyage from Santos, Brazil to Abadan, Iran. She broke in two the next day and was a total loss.[90][91] |
5 November
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| D. T. Sheridan | United States |
While towing barges in dense fog, the 110-foot (34 m) tug was wrecked on rocks at Lobster Point, Monhegan Island, Maine, at 43°45′21″N 069°19′24″W / 43.75583°N 69.32333°W. Her crew survived.[92] |
8 November
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Arr 738 | United States |
The 2,297-gross register ton barge was wrecked near Taylor Island (58°18′N 136°30′W / 58.300°N 136.500°W) in Southeast Alaska.[50] |
10 November
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USS Pensacola | United States Navy |
 |
11 November
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Grom | Norway |
The cargo ship sprang a leak and sank 8 nautical miles (15 km) south west of Kvistøy, Norway, whilst on a voyage from Rekefjord to Møre.[5] |
13 November
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rene | Belgium |
The cargo ship ran aground on the Rocks of Mansonria off Fedala, French Morocco. Declared a constructive total loss.[93] |
14 November
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hopestar | United Kingdom |
The cargo ship foundered in the Atlantic Ocean off Newfoundland with the loss of all 40 crew. |
| USS YOGN-84 | United States Navy |
The YOG-40 class fuel oil barge sank at sea in a typhoon off Saipan.[94] |
17 November
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| EK-3 |  Soviet Navy |
The Tacoma-class frigate ran aground off Petropavlosk, Soviet Union. She was declared a total loss. |
| USS U-1105 | United States Navy |
The Type VIIC/41 submarine was deliberately sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the Point No Point Lighthouse, Maryland. She was raised in mid 1949. |
22 November
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Flyer | United Kingdom |
The 438 GRT whaler ran aground on rocks at Lazarete Beach, Cape Verde after calling in for bunkers while on delivery voyage to South Georgia.[95] |
23 November
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Famous | United States |
The 41-gross register ton, 57.5-foot (17.5 m) motor cargo vessel was wrecked in the Territory of Alaska at an unidentified location described by the wreck report as "Point Alba."[96] |
| HNoMS Hauk |  Royal Norwegian Navy |
The motor torpedo boat was destroyed by fire.[97] |
30 November
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandrouplis | Unknown | The merchant ship sank. |
December
1 December
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Juni |  Iceland |
The 140.3-foot (42.8 m), 328-ton trawler was wrecked at Saudanes, between Sugandafjordur and Onundarfjordur, northwestern Iceland, due to faulty echo sounder. All hands rescued.[98][99] |
4 December
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kiangya |  China |
 |
15 December
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Eiholm | Norway |
The cargo ship sank off Kragerø, Norway, whilst on a voyage from Brevik to Etnesjøen.[5] |
18 December
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| EK-3 | Soviet Navy |
The EK-1-class escort was wrecked in a storm at Korsakov, Sakhalin Island. Later refloated and used as a depot/accommodations ship. |
20 December
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bosphorus | Norway |
The cargo ship ran aground on Haisborough Sand, Norfolk, United Kingdom.[100] Refloated on 29 December.[101] |
24 December
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alcyone Fortune | United Kingdom |
The cargo ship ran aground at the Mull of Kintyre, Argyllshire.[101] Refloated on 30 December.[102] |
25 December
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Capitan | Flag unknown | The T1 tanker broke in two off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, United States. She was being towed from Savannah, Georgia to Baltimore, Maryland. The bow section remained under tow of the tug Tern ( United States) and was taken in to Baltimore. The stern section was towed in to Baltimore on 6 January 1949. Subsequently repaired and sold to the Argentine Navy, entering service as ARA Punta Loyola.[103] |
28 December
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Farne | Norway |
The ex-Isles-class trawler sank off Halland, Sweden with the loss of all fourteen crew. She was on a voyage from Stettin, Poland to Larvik, Norway.[5] |
30 December
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rojo | Norway |
The cargo ship sank in the North Sea whilst on a voyage from Middlesbrough, Yorkshire to Denmark.[5] |
Unknown date
| Ship | State | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur Newell Talbot | United States |
The 366-foot (112 m), concrete-hulled cargo ship was scuttled as a breakwater in Chesapeake Bay at Kiptopeke, Virginia sometime in December.[104] |
| Edwin Thacher | United States |
The 366-foot (112 m), concrete-hulled cargo ship was scuttled as a breakwater in Chesapeake Bay at Kiptopeke, Virginia sometime in December.[105] |
| Goth | United Kingdom |
The 147.5-foot (45.0 m), 394.48-ton trawler last communicated with other trawlers whilst making for shelter at Adalvik, Iceland in severe weather on 13 December. Lost with all 21 hands. Her funnel came up in nets on 15 November 1997. Presumed lost at 66°59′N 24°28′W / 66.983°N 24.467°W 43 miles (69 km) northwest of Straumnes.[106][107] |
| John Grant | United States |
The 366-foot (112 m), concrete-hulled cargo ship was scuttled as a breakwater in Chesapeake Bay at Kiptopeke, Virginia sometime in December.[108] |
| Leonard Chase Wason | United States |
The 366-foot (112 m), concrete-hulled cargo ship was scuttled as a breakwater in Chesapeake Bay at Kiptopeke, Virginia sometime in December.[109] |
| Richard Kidder Meade | United States |
The 366-foot (112 m), concrete-hulled cargo ship was scuttled as a breakwater in Chesapeake Bay at Kiptopeke, Virginia sometime in December.[110] |
| Robert Whitman Lesley | United States |
The 366-foot (112 m), concrete-hulled cargo ship was scuttled as a breakwater in Chesapeake Bay at Kiptopeke, Virginia sometime in 1948.[111] |
| William Foster Cowham | United States |
The 366-foot (112 m), concrete-hulled cargo ship was scuttled as a breakwater in Chesapeake Bay at Kiptopeke, Virginia sometime in December.[112] |
