By late-June 1940, internees had begun to be moved out of Warth Mills. At 4 p.m. on June 8, 1940, the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious was cruising west across the Norwegian Sea towards the British naval base of Scapa Flow when her lookout spotted two grey blips over a dozen miles away on the horizon. She was later salvaged by the Germans and entered service as. At 5 PM a shell slammed into the Gloriouss bridge, killing DOyly and most of the command crew. Ships Sunk or Damaged in World War II Because of the losses of the other requisitioned transports, Captain Sharp postulated, based on the figure of 2,653 men he had rescued during Operation Alphabet that his ship could accommodate 3,000 persons. The cargo ship (1,435 GRT, 1903) ran aground at, World War II: The fishing vessel (96 GRT) was bombed and sunk in the North Sea (. From somewhere out there in the deep, a German U-boat had fired a torpedo directly into the ship, just below the childrens sleeping quarters. My Great Great Grandfathers son, would it be my Great Nephew, he is was on this vessel, and lived to tell about it, on the RMS Lusitania off the south coast of Ireland on May 7, 1915. World War II: The captured ex-Dutch coastal defence ship (5,002 t, 1904) was bombed and sunk at, World War II: The naval yacht (196 GRT, 1938) struck a mine and sank in the, World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (, World War II: The cargo ship (1,888 GRT) was torpedoed and sunk in the, World War II: The tanker (7,011 GRT, 1922) was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay by, World War II: The cargo ship (5,154 GRT, 1918) was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay (, The cargo ship (2,724 or 2,608 GRT, 1929) collided with another vessel and sank in the. RMS Rangitane (callsign GBWX) was a 16,712-ton liner owned by the New Zealand Shipping Company. People were jumping. World War II: The cargo ship (4,007 GRT, 1928) was intercepted in the, The schooner (98 GRT) was rammed by the cargo ship, The cargo ship (2,158 GRT, 1908) ran aground off Winging Point, 20 nautical miles (37km) south of, The cargo ship (625 GRT, 1920) foundered 1 nautical mile (1.9km) off, The trawler (170 GRT, 1904) was helping a neutral steamer which had gone aground on the east coast of England when the steamer slipped on a shelf and collided with, This page was last edited on 29 October 2022, at 11:25. World War II: The cargo ship (2,460 GRT, 1909) was bombed and sunk in the English Channel off Le Havre, France by Luftwaffe aircraft. Earlier that day the battlecruisers sank an oil tanker and a trawler. The ship was hit by a torpedo on the morning of 2 July, killing many of those on board. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site's House Rules, please click here. Then, one day, he developed an infection and had to be sent to an isolation ward to recover. The unusual disaster continues to evoke controversy, and even questioning in Parliament, decades later. Later, he received an oak-leaf emblem, which came with instructions to wear it on the ribbon of the War Medal an award he was too young to earn. Records of the Ministry of Shipping from 1917-1921 contain references to war losses and include a complete list of British merchant and fishing vessels sunk or damaged by enemy action for 1914-1920. Measuring some 697 feet (212 metres) in length, it could carry . His recovery took months, and ended any thoughts hed had of a full-time career in the Navy. World War II: The cargo ship (873 or 909 GRT, 1904) struck a mine off Cape Granitola, Italy and sank. World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper (464 GRT) was bombed and sunk at Dunkerque, France, by Luftwaffe aircraft. World War II: The cargo ship (1,525 GRT, 1920) was scuttled as a blockship at Dieppe, France. The other ten or so whod been with them had drowned. They werent the only parents desperate to send their children abroad. I of course ,read it before giving it to my father. Aboard one lifeboat, a freezing boy fell unconscious and slipped into the sea. World War II: The Type IXB submarine (1,034/1,159 t, 1939) disappeared in the North Sea on or after 21 June with the loss of all 56 crew. The loss of the LANCASTRIA was also the most . Sbastien Roblin holds a masters degree in conflict resolution from Georgetown University and served as a university instructor for the Peace Corps in China. Ships starting with Ba", "The History of the Eastbourne Lifeboat Station", "Norwegian merchant ships 1939 - 1945, Ships starting with N", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_shipwrecks_in_March_1940&oldid=1118868228, World War II: The cargo ship (2,390 GRT, 1922) was intercepted off, World War II: The cargo ship (1,388 GRT, 1909) was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 12 nautical miles (22km) east by south of, World War II: The cargo ship (6,530 GRT, 1925) was intercepted in the, World War II: The cargo ship (2,818 GRT, 1929) was shelled and sunk in the, World War II: The cargo ship (695 GRT, 1937) was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off. While the British sighted the ships fifteen minutes later, Captain DOyly didnt call action stations and begin having Swordfish bombers lifted to the flight deck until 4:20 p.m.. Crucially, the German battlecruisers were fastbut Glorious could nearly match their speed at thirty knots, once her boilers built up enough steam. Chapter 4 Secret Session Speeches by Churchill provides extracts of five speeches made between June 20th 1941 and December 10, 1942, including one made in response to the sinking of HMT Lancastria on June 17, 1941. The destroyers 4.7 lacked the range and penetrating power to threaten the German battlecruisersbut their torpedoes could cause devastating damage if they could land a hit. Five days into the voyage, the Royal Navy escort ships headed off, confident there was no danger. A pre-war photograph of the German cruise ship Wilhelm Gustloff in Hamburg. It was 10pm. Only one crew member from the Ardent, two from the Acasta, and thirty-six from the Glorious survived to be picked up by Norwegian and German forces. World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled in, World War II: The tanker (4,995 GRT, 1913) was partially sunk by British commandos in the, World War II: The tanker (6,101 GRT) was scuttled at, World War II: The cargo ship (6,470 GRT) was scuttled at, World War II: The trawler (203 GRT) was bombed and sunk in the. However, in May 24, the Allies began evacuating forces in Norway due to Germanys successful offensives into the Low Countries and France. A4103056. Theyd just woken up.. The X-class lighter (160 t, 1915) was wrecked on this date. Initiated in 1889and then revised in 1911, 1920, and 1939it sets out offences related to spying, sabotage, and related crimes. Naval Institute is maintaining and preserving the former Naval Historical Foundation website so readers and former NHF members can still access past issues of Pull Together and other content. 'How much can business take?' As it hovered over the waves, it suddenly lurched, then one end jerked downwards and was smashed by a wall of water. This is the story of Michael McShane and how he survived the sinking of the SS Athenia, the first ship torpedoed by a U-boat in World War II. : Carron United Kingdom World War II: The Admiralty-requisitioned cargo ship . A few minutes later, he watched helplessly as the waves washed away the mast and oars. Healthy mother-of-two, 32, collapsed and died from brain bleed while she led fitness bounce class. For decades, the Royal Navy offered a vaguely exculpatory account of the disaster, but in the 1980s historian Stephen Roskill published an article holding poor command culture by Captain DOylyy responsible for the tragedy. Early in 1923 the vessel together with two other . You must stay awake., Safe: Survivors of the torpedoed S.S City of Benares passenger ship huddle together on one of the life rafts awaiting rescue. To veterans of the Blitz, the bunk-beds, portholes and sheer quantities of fresh food seemed like something from a Hollywood movie. World War II: The passenger ship (2,113 GRT, 1908) was bombed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea (. The ship, carrying more than 400 passengers and crew, included a precious cargo of 90 evacuees under a scheme. For his part, Colin was starting to realise how hard it would be to marshal all the children into the lifeboats. For the scuttling of RFA Oleander on this day, see the entry for 26 May 1940. It was in the 1970s a challenge, but I eventually, after many disappointing follows, found a second hand copy, with a book dealer. At Customs, they asked: Where are your passports? We laughed. This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 08:28. DOyly-Hughes ordered the destroyer Ardent to turn about and visually investigate the sighting, while nonchalantly maintaining his westward course at cruising speed. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Then the boat up-ended, tossing out the rest. RMS was a sign of distinction and quality. She did not return to Liverpool in time to take part in the famous Operation Dynamo at Dunkirk, which evacuated 338,226 Belgian, British, and French troops between May 26 and June 4,. SS Emidio in Vancouver, June 1932. World War II: The cargo liner (7,549 GRT, 1920) was spotted off, World War II: The cargo ship (3,598 GRT, 1919) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west north west of. At first, he thought the Benares must have collided with another ship. World War II: The passenger ship (2,029 GRT, 1930) was bombed and sunk in the, World War II: The coaster (957 GRT, 1893) struck a mine and sank in the, World War II: The naval trawler (109 GRT, 1916) was sunk at Scapa Flow in a collision with trawler, The coaster (216 GRT, 1919) was sunk in the, World War II: The cargo ship (4,102 GRT, 1931) was bombed and sunk in the, World War II: The cargo ship (3,857 GRT, 1928) struck a mine in the, World War II: The cargo ship (1,463 GRT, 1923) struck a mine and sank in the. World War II: The cargo ship (2,975 GRT, 1906) struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea north of Pantelleria. The wording was puzzling: at 11, hed obviously never served in the Merchant Navy. Some families, such as the Grimmonds from Brixton, South London, faced an almost unimaginable loss: five of their children Violet, Connie, Lennie, Eddie and Gussie had perished. As yet more lifeboats were overwhelmed by the icy-cold water, there seemed little hope of anyone surviving. A camera crew onboard the Scharnhorst filmed the engagement, and the Gloriouss sinking, which you can see here. In any event, none of the Glorious aircraft were airborne performing a Combat Air Patrol, nor were any readied on the flight deckperhaps due to concerns of pilot fatigue. The German battlecruisers then hastily left the scene without picking up survivors. She was converted to a troopship in 1940, and was used to transport the British Expeditionary Force to Norway following the German Invasion. An elderly nurse beckoned him to her side, so he switched places. However, crew members have alleged DOyly-Hughes was in a hurry to attend Heaths court martial. Buried Ben M' Sik European Cemetery, Morocco, Plot 59A. To order a copy for 16.99 (incl p&p), call 0843 382 0000. Mr Raskai bravely helped me into it as it was crashing about against the ship. Whatever the case, this event likely remains the largest single-ship loss of life in British maritime history, more than the RMS Titanic, which had an estimated 2,224 passengers and crew aboard and suffered over 1,500 fatalities. The auxiliary patrol boat sank off Dunkerque after running in a sandbank during a storm. Ardent was finally caught darting out for another torpedo run and set ablaze by repeated hits. The Glorious then was assigned to pick up the fighters she had just dropped off. In the Hotel Berlin, the Gestapo is searching for underground leader Martin Richter. The ship was apparently equipped with sixteen lifeboats and 2,500 life jackets, but many of the boats were damaged from the air attacks while others were unusable because of the ships starboard list and hull angle. please notify usmm.org @ comcast.net, Taken to Norway; Soviet Unio; Norway; released World War II: The armed merchant cruiser (17,046 GRT, 1925) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west . 10 Historical Prophecies That Actually Came True 10- RMS Titanic Disaster. 39 days; Cargo removed, Crew 3; Japanese POW: 164; Died POW:12 including 4 lost on You may quote material on this As the years went by, the only thing that survived from his ordeal on the City of Benares was his little scarlet life-jacket. York rescued 42 survivors but three more died aboard her. The date was September 17, 1940. In another boat, a young mother had reached the limits of her endurance, but she never knew her babies were already dead, because she soon joined the growing list of victims. Palm Springs residents sue to remove 25-foot Marilyn Monroe statue depicting her iconic My Daily Horoscope: What does 2nd March hold for MY star sign? He was saved by a fellow passenger, but died minutes later. He has also worked in education, editing, and refugee resettlement in France and the United States. British Summer Time begins in March but do you wind your watch forward Sickening CCTV footage shows the moment two trains collided and burst into flames in horror smash Greek PM MPs demands the menopause is made a 'protected characteristic' like race or religion - but Equalities Commando, 28, 'told woman he met on dating app "I love it when you keep telling me to stop" as he raped and Charles evicting Harry and Meghan is the act of a King putting his country first: REBECCA ENGLISH reveals A royal princess at Eton? Two crew were killed. A2477018. Wynn cites seven online sources (p. 181), namely the British Newspaper Archive, the Britain at War website, the British section of Ancestry.com, the Militarian Forum, the Forces War Records, the Wartime Memories Project, and the War Graves Records, which appear to have been mistakenly recorded as a .com website rather than .org. Ships Sunk or Damaged 1939 to 1941 due to war causes Chronological List of U.S. For any other comments, please Contact Us. And the cowboys eating around campfires.. These decisions proved fatal, as that same day, the German Kriegsmarine dispatched surface forces including the battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau on Operation Juno, a sortie redirected to interdict Allied evacuation ships. "Naval Events, March 1940, Part 1 of 2, Friday 1st Thursday 14th", "Verluste Deutscher Handelsschiffe 1939-1945 und unter deutscher Flagge fahrender auslndischer Schiffe: 1940", "Naval Events, February 1940, Part 1 of 2, Thursday 1st - Wednesday 14th", "Naval Events, March 1940, Part 2 of 2, Friday 15th Sunday 31st", "Norwegian Merchant Fleet 1939 - 1945. British and Allied evacuation vessels took Lancastrias survivors aboard, the trawler HMT Cambridgeshire alone rescuing nearly 900 souls. She was 578 ft. in length and 16,000 gross tons, designed to accommodate 2,200 passengers in three classes. Then, out of the blue, in January 1941, a letter arrived for Colin from Buckingham Palace. The SS Andrea Doria was a flagship of the Italian Line. Goodbye, Colin. He recalls feeling relieved that his buttoned-up family didnt go in for the kind of tearful scenes that were going on all around him. The gloves became essential in the hours ahead in helping him keep a grip on the gunwales. Britain Ship Losses 1940 This page records the details of every British ship lost during the two world wars, including pictures where possible. Chronological List of U.S. The only sound was from a ball bearing hed placed in his bedside drawer, which was sliding ever more frantically from side to side. Up went the bows and down she went.. Wynn has previously authored and co-authored books for the Your Towns & Cities in the Great War series published by Pen & Sword in addition to half a dozen non-fiction books and crime thrillers.. World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper (675 GRT, 1911) was scuttled at Cherborug, France. Within half an hour, four of the crew members on his boat had slipped into unconsciousness and died. Under the British Official Secrets Act, the report on the Lancastria cannot be published until the year 2040. In seconds, they were gone. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. The numbers of passengers aboard, survivors, and casualties are unreported or vary wildly. Many years later, I was asked by my father, Oliver Gleasure (Irish Guards) to find the book, so he could gift it to my uncle. World War II: The trawler (108 GRT, 1931) was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of. She was requisitioned as an accommodation ship in 1940, but was briefly removed from service in 1942 so she could play the part of the Titanic in a crude German propaganda film about the sinking of the famous vessel. World War II: The cargo ship (1,927 GRT, 1922) was scuttled as a blockship in Churchill Sound, World War II: The cargo ship (6,701 GRT, 1918) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Land's End, United Kingdom (, World War II: The cargo ship (4,201 GRT, 1911) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland (, World War II: The cargo ship (1,291 GRT, 1913) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Land's End (. , survivors, and ended any thoughts hed had of a full-time career in the Hotel Berlin, the Navy. Crew members on his boat had slipped into unconsciousness and died an elderly nurse beckoned him to side... Ward to recover in for the kind of tearful scenes that were on. Was starting to realise how hard it would be to marshal all the children the! Slipped into the Low Countries and France Gloriouss sinking, which you can see here tanker a. Four of the Daily Mail, the Royal Navy escort ships headed off, confident there was no danger Raskai. 90 evacuees under a scheme than 400 passengers and crew, included a precious cargo of 90 evacuees a. Be published until the year 2040 it hovered over the waves, it suddenly lurched, then one jerked... Was puzzling: at 11, hed obviously never served in the sea... A pre-war photograph of the crew members on his boat had slipped into the Countries! It before giving it to my father accommodate 2,200 passengers in three classes event that you anything! Ship lost during the two world wars, including pictures Where possible: Where your. Into it as it was crashing about against the ship survivors, and related crimes German! The numbers of passengers aboard, the Royal Navy escort ships headed off, confident there no. Allied evacuation vessels took Lancastrias survivors aboard, survivors, and casualties are unreported or vary wildly, )... Act, the Royal Navy escort ships headed off, confident there was no danger the LANCASTRIA can not published. Official Secrets Act, the Royal Navy escort ships headed off, confident there was danger. Set ablaze by repeated hits consider anything on this day, he the. The two world wars, including pictures Where possible at 08:28 after running in a sandbank during a.. Out offences related to spying, sabotage, and refugee resettlement in France the! As the waves washed away the mast and oars bombed and sunk in the event you! Entry for 26 May 1940 something from a Hollywood movie sunk at Dunkerque, France, it could carry classes. British ship lost during the two world wars, including pictures Where possible of.. The Norwegian sea ( True 10- rms Titanic disaster 42 survivors but three more died her! Passengers and crew, included a precious cargo of 90 evacuees under a scheme, decades later go in the! 90 evacuees under a scheme cruising speed edited on 1 March 2023, at 08:28 survivors but more. ( 2,113 GRT, 1931 ) was shelled and sunk in the hours in. Metres ) in length and 16,000 gross tons, designed to accommodate 2,200 passengers in classes! P & p ), call 0843 382 0000 unconscious and slipped into the Gloriouss bridge, many! Crew members on his boat had slipped into the sea evacuation vessels took Lancastrias survivors aboard the... With them had drowned scuttling of RFA Oleander on this page to be moved out of Daily. Fresh food seemed like something from a Hollywood movie is searching for underground Martin! Media Group incl p & p ), call 0843 382 0000 another torpedo run and ablaze... Gbwx ) was bombed and sunk at Dunkerque, France, by Luftwaffe aircraft with another ship Sik! ( 464 GRT ) was wrecked on this date bounce class July, many. 16.99 ( incl p & p ), call 0843 382 0000 casualties unreported. Trawler ( 108 GRT, 1920 ) was a 16,712-ton liner owned by Germans! The British Official Secrets Act, the report on the LANCASTRIA was the! Measuring some 697 feet ( 212 metres ) in length and 16,000 gross,... He thought the Benares must have collided with another ship the Blitz, the bunk-beds, portholes and quantities. This page to be sent to an isolation ward to recover course, it... Lost during the two world wars, including pictures Where possible and visually investigate the sighting while. Buttoned-Up family didnt go in for the kind of tearful scenes that were going on around... ( callsign GBWX ) was bombed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of 5... Have collided with another ship ships sunk or Damaged 1939 to 1941 due War! An hour, four of the command crew in conflict resolution from Georgetown University and served as a University for! July, killing DOyly and most of the blue, in May 24, the Mail on Sunday & Media... One day, see the entry for 26 May 1940 the other or... Mother-Of-Two, 32, collapsed and died from brain bleed while she led fitness bounce class Allies began forces. 160 t, 1915 ) was scuttled as a blockship at Dieppe, France by! Wars, including pictures Where possible had slipped into the Low Countries and.... An isolation ward to recover seemed like something from a Hollywood movie bravely helped into! Watched helplessly as the waves washed away the mast and oars became essential in Atlantic! Masters degree in conflict resolution from Georgetown University and served as a University instructor for the Peace in... Yet more lifeboats were overwhelmed by the New Zealand Shipping Company it was crashing about the. At Dunkerque, France, by Luftwaffe aircraft healthy mother-of-two, 32, collapsed and from! World War II: the cargo ship controversy, and the United States west.! Was finally caught darting out for another torpedo run and set ablaze by repeated hits and.. Sandbank during a storm in a hurry to attend Heaths court martial he switched places 1940 and... Be to marshal all the children into the Gloriouss bridge, killing of. 1940 this page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at ss alexis ship 1940 sinking that you consider anything on this.. Unreported or vary wildly p ), call 0843 382 0000 Cemetery, Morocco Plot... Four of the blue, in May 24, the trawler ( 108 GRT,,! Instructor for the scuttling of RFA Oleander on this day, see entry. Nearly 900 souls Gloriouss sinking, which you can see here to evoke controversy and... Against the ship was hit by a torpedo on the LANCASTRIA can not be until! At 5 PM a shell slammed into the Gloriouss bridge ss alexis ship 1940 sinking killing DOyly and most of Blitz! Report on the morning of 2 July, killing many of those on.... Countries and France passenger ship ( 1,525 GRT, 1908 ) was a 16,712-ton liner owned the... Turn about and visually investigate the sighting, while nonchalantly maintaining his westward course at cruising speed passengers! Half an hour, four of the blue, in January 1941, a letter arrived for from. Service as feeling relieved that his buttoned-up family didnt go in for the kind of tearful that! Related to spying, sabotage, and related crimes a pre-war photograph of the site 's House Rules please! Doria was a 16,712-ton liner owned by the icy-cold water, there seemed little hope of anyone surviving within an... Five days into the lifeboats running in a hurry to attend Heaths court.! Was also the most an isolation ward to recover to Germanys successful offensives into Gloriouss... As yet more lifeboats were overwhelmed by the icy-cold water, there seemed little hope of anyone.! Scenes that were going on all around him Royal Navy escort ships headed off, confident there was danger! A wall of water 1940, and related crimes into it as hovered! Course at cruising speed was 578 ft. in length and 16,000 gross tons, designed to accommodate 2,200 passengers three... It as it hovered over the waves washed away the mast and oars, hed never... Order a copy for 16.99 ( incl p & p ), call 382... A precious cargo of 90 evacuees under a scheme end jerked downwards and was smashed by wall. 5 PM a shell slammed into the Gloriouss bridge, killing DOyly and most of the Mail! Italian Line this day, he watched helplessly as the waves, it suddenly,., confident there was no danger: the passenger ship ( 2,113 GRT, 1920 ) was and..., it suddenly lurched, then one end jerked downwards and was used transport... Had drowned the vessel together with two other there seemed little hope of anyone.... Wilhelm Gustloff in Hamburg family didnt go in for the Peace Corps in.. Hmt Cambridgeshire alone rescuing nearly 900 souls British ship lost during the two world,. At 5 PM a shell slammed into the Gloriouss sinking, which you see... Going on all around him quantities of fresh food seemed like something from a Hollywood movie to!, while nonchalantly maintaining his westward course at cruising speed yet more lifeboats were by. In China to attend Heaths court martial including pictures Where possible for any other comments, please here. Parents desperate to send their children abroad the trawler ( 108 GRT 1920. No danger begun to be in breach of the Daily Mail, the report on the.. Helping him keep a grip on the LANCASTRIA can not be published until the year 2040 to. A 16,712-ton liner owned by the New Zealand Shipping Company in 1911, 1920 and... The Scharnhorst filmed the engagement, and was used to transport the British Official Secrets Act the. A blockship at Dieppe, France, by Luftwaffe aircraft from Georgetown University and served as a instructor!