List of shipwrecks in 1946

The list of shipwrecks in 1946 includes all ships sunk, foundered, grounded, or otherwise lost during 1946.

January

2 January

• U-516 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight: The Type IXC submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean ().
• U-2502 (Kriegsmarine) Operation Deadlight: The Type XXI submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean ().

3 January

• Empire Tigachi (United Kingdom):The coastal tanker ran aground at Nidingen, Sweden. Later broke in two, a total loss.
• U-825 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight. The Type VIIC submarine was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean ().
• U-2336 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight: The Type XXIII submarine was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean ( by HMS Offa (Royal Navy).
• U-2351 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight: The Type XXIII submarine was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean ( by HMS Offa (Royal Navy).

5 January

• U-541 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight: The Type IXC/40 submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean ().
• U-901 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight: The Type VIIC submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean ().
• U-2506 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight: The Type XXI submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean ().

6 January

• U-1109 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight: The Type VIIC/41 submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean () by HMS Templar (Royal Navy).
• U-2356 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight: The Type XXIII submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean ( by HMS Onslaught (Royal Navy).

7 January

• U-1010 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight: The Type VIIC/41 submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean () by ORP Garland (Polish Navy).
• U-1023 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight: The Type VIIC/41 submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean ().
• U-2511 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight: The Type XXI submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean (.

8 January

• HMS Safari (Royal Navy): The S-class submarine sank under tow in the English Channel.

15 January

• British Loyalty (United Kingdom): The tanker was scuttled in the Indian Ocean ().

20 January

• Dursley (United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground off Redcar, Yorkshire.

24 January

• Carnifex Ferry (United States) : The tanker collided with F F Wolfe (United Kingdom) in The Downs off the coast of Kent, United Kingdom and was severely damaged at the bows.
• Cobble Hill (United States): The tanker ran aground off Sheerness, Kent, United Kingdom.

27 January

• Gradisca (United Kingdom): The troopship ran aground on Gavos, Greece.
• USS Tamaroa (United States Navy): The tug collided with USS Jupiter in San Francisco Bay and sank.

30 January

• Antetam (United States): The cargo ship struck a mine in the Gironde Estuary and sank with the loss of one of her 41 crew.
• Luray Victory (United States): The Victory ship ran aground and sank, Goodwin Sands, Kent, United Kingdom.

February

1 February

• Fort Massac (United Kingdom): the cargo ship collided with Thornaby (United Kingdom) near the Sunk Light Vessel (United Kingdom), 10 nautical miles (19 km) east south east of Harwich (). Fort Massac sank, Thornaby put into Harwich with severely damaged bows.

2 February

• U-764 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight: The Type VIIC submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean ().

3 February

• HMS Captive (Royal Navy): The rescue tug was beached in Potomas Bay, Cyprus.
• I-505 (Imperial Japanese Navy): The Type VIID submarine was scuttled in the Sunda Strait by HNLMS Kortenaer (Royal Netherlands Navy).
• Rian (Netherlands): The coaster collided with HNLMS Jan van Gelder (Royal Netherlands Navy) and sank off Ramsey, Isle of Man. All six crew were rescued by Jan van Gelder.

4 February

• Yukon (Canada): The passenger ship ran aground in Johnstone Bay, Alaska, United States and broke in two. All 496 passengers and crew were rescued.

5 February

• U-1228 (Kriegsmarine): The Type IXC/40 submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of the United States.

6 February

• Sphene (United Kingdom): The coaster foundered in the Bristol Channel off Cornwall. All five crew were rescued.

10 February

• Lindøy (Norway): Capsized and sank south of Sogneoksen whilst on a voyage from Bulandet to Bergen.
• U-975 (Kriegsmarine): Operation Deadlight: The Type VIIC submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean () by HMS Loch Arkaig (Royal Navy).

11 February

• Girl Lena (United Kingdom): The trawler collided with HMS Saga (Royal Navy) in the English Channel near the Eddystone Lighthouse and sank. The crew were rescued by Saga.
• Ponce de Lyon (United States): The Liberty ship ran aground at The Gantocks, off Dunoon, Argyllshire, Scotland.

12 February

• I-501 (Imperial Japanese Navy): The Type IXD2 submarine was scuttled in the Strait of Malacca () by HMS Loch Glendhu and HMS Loch Lomond (both Royal Navy).
• U-3514 (Kriegsmarine): The Type XXI submarine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean ( by HMS Loch Arkaig (Royal Navy). She was the last U-boat sunk in Operation Deadlight.

15 February

• Fulham VII (United Kingdom): The coaster collided with Alfred Victory (United States) 16 nautical miles (30 km) south west of Beachy Head, East Sussex, United Kingdom and sank with the loss of one of her seventeen crew.
• I-502 (Imperial Japanese Navy): The Type IXD2 submarine was scuttled in the Strait of Malacca off Singapore by HMS Loch Lomond (Royal Navy).
• I-506 (Imperial Japanese Navy): The Type IXD1 submarine was scuttled in the Bali Sea east of the Kangean Islands, Dutch East Indies by a Royal Navy ship.
• Tijger (Netherlands): The coaster collided with Edward R. Squibb (United States) east of the Goodwin Sands, Kent, United Kingdom and sank. All eight people on board were rescued.

24 February

• Hodnaberg (Norway): Struck a mine in the Kattegat and sank with the loss of nine crew.

25 February

• Leeuwarden (United Kingdom): The cargo ship struck a mine and sank 18 nautical miles (33 km) north of Dieppe, France. All crew were rescued by the trawler André Marcel (France).

28 February

• Herisle (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was hit by William A. Jones (United States) after the latter broke free from her moorings in a gale at Gibraltar. Two hours later, there were two explosions on boare Herisle and she sank with the loss of fiver of her 34 crew.

Unknown date

• U-1197 (Kriegsmarine): The Type VIIC submarine was scuttled in the North Sea by the United States Navy.

March

1 March

• Sackett's Harbor (United States): The T2 tanker broke in half at sea, bow section sank off Adak, Alaska. Stern section reached Adak under its own power. Later fitted with a new bow and returned to service.

2 March

• Belgian Tenacity (Belgium): The cargo ship collided with Esso Belgium (Belgium) in the Scheldt and was beached to avoid sinking. Later repaired and returned to service.
• Empire Waveney (United Kingdom): The ocean liner caught fire at Canada Dock, Liverpool, Lancashire and sank. Declared a total loss, scrapped in 1947.

5 March

• Kielce (Poland): The cargo ship collided with Lombardy (United Kingdom) in the English Channel off Dover, Kent, United Kingdom and sank. All crew were rescued by Lombardy.

16 March

• Falkenfels (Germany): The cargo ship was scuttled in the Skagerrak.
• Hugo Oldendorf (Germany): The cargo ship was scuttled in the Skagerrak with a cargo of poison gas munitions.
• SS Karl Leonhardt (Germany): The 6,042 grt cargo ship was scuttled in the Skagerrak with a cargo of poison gas munitions.
• Lotte (Germany): The cargo ship was scuttled in the North Sea with a cargo of poison gas munitions.

17 March

• Byron Darmton (United States): The Liberty ship ran aground on Sanda Island, Argyllshire, United Kingdom and broke in two.

26 March

• J. P. Poe (United States): The Liberty ship ran aground near Dover, Kent, United Kingdom. Later refloated.
• Muggur (Norway): The cargo ship capsized and sank in Ofotfjord after her cargo of herring and timber shifted.
• Z-34 (Germany): The destroyer was scuttled in the Skagerrak.

April

8 April

• USS Despatch (United States Navy): The protected cruiser was sunk in the Pacific Ocean off San Francisco, California.

9 April

• Empire Bridge (United Kingdom) collided with wreck of Fort Massac during salvage operations. Holed and quickly sank in upright position. Salvage attempt on 23 August only succeeded in turning her on her side. Declared a total loss.

14 April

• RFA Oligarch (Royal Fleet Auxiliary): The Ol-class tanker was scuttled in the Red Sea () with a cargo of obsolete chemical ammunition.

16 April

• Helen May (Norway): The cargo ship ran aground in the Krakhellesundet whilst on a voyage from Bergen to Ålesund.
• I-503 (Imperial Japanese Navy): The Marcello-class submarine was scuttled in the Pacific Ocean off Kobe, Japan by the United States Navy.
• I-504 (Imperial Japanese Navy): The Marconi-class submarine was scuttled in the Kii Channel by the United States Navy.

17 April

• Frithjof (Norway): The fishing boat sprang a leak and sank in the West Ice off Greenland.

21 April

• Empire Christopher (United Kingdom) struck a mine and sank in the Gulf of Martaban ().
• Ramø (Norway): Struck a mine and sank at Henningsvær, Lofoten Islands.

24 April

• Alfios (Greece): The cargo ship ran aground on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Dominion of Canada. Her crew were rescued by HMCS Middlesex (Royal Canadian Navy).

28 April

• Thea (Netherlands): The coaster capsized and sank in Bridlington Bay, United Kingdom with the loss of two of the eight people on board.

30 April

• USS Solar (United States Navy): The Buckley-class destroyer escort exploded and sank at Naval Ammunition Depot Earle, New Jersey with the loss of seven of her 213 crew.

30 April

• RO-500 (Imperial Japanese Navy): The Type IXC submarine was scuttled in Maizuru Bay by the United States Navy.
• HMS Stubborn (Royal Navy): Sunk as target, off Malta.

May

1 May

• Georgetown Victory (United States): The troopship ran aground in the entrance to Strangford Lough, Co Down, United Kingdom and broke her back. All 1,100-plus on board were rescued by the Claughey, Donaghadee and Newcastle lifeboats.

8 May

• HMS Diomede (Royal Navy): Whilst on tow and sheltering in Mount's Bay from an easterly gale, the Danae-class cruiser drifted onto the Larrigan, rocks and stranded at low tide. Refloated several hours later she continued on her journey from Falmouth to the Clyde for scrapping.

18 May

• M-16 (Germany): The minesweeper was scuttled at () in the Skagerrak.

26 May

• H.C. Horn (Germany): The cargo ship was scuttled in the Baltic Sea.

28 May

• Marianne (Denmark): The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Øresund off Stevns.

June

6 June

• Jan Wellem (Germany): The tanker was wrecked in the Kiel Fjord, Germany. Scrapped at Blyth, United Kingdom, from November 1947.

9 June

• USS Solar (United States Navy): The Buckley-class destroyer escort was scuttled 100 nautical miles (190 km) off New York.

13 June

• Fechenheim (Germany): The cargo ship was scuttled off Arendal, Norway.

20 June

• Oderstrom (Germany): The cargo ship was scuttled in the Skagerrak.

28 June

• C 8 (Spanish Navy): The submarine was rammed by Lepanto (Spanish Navy) and sank off the Balearic Islands with the loss of all 46 crew.

Unknown date

• Flowergate (United Kingdom) ran aground on Porthminster Beach, St. Ives whilst under tow to breakers yard. Later refloated and continued her journey.
• James W. Nesmith (United States): The Liberty ship was scuttled in the North Sea with a cargo of obsolete chemical munitions.

July

1 July

• USS Anderson (United States Navy): Operation Crossroads: Sunk by nuclear weapon at Bikini Atoll as a test target.
• USS Carlisle (United States Navy): Operation Crossroads: Sunk by nuclear weapon at Bikini Atoll as a test target.
• USS Gilliam (United States Navy): Operation Crossroads: Sunk by nuclear weapon at Bikini Atoll as a test target.
• USS Lamson (United States Navy): Operation Crossroads: Sunk by nuclear weapon at Bikini Atoll as a test target.
• Sakawa (United States Navy): Operation Crossroads: Sunk by nuclear weapon at Bikini Atoll as a test target.target

2 July

• Agnes (Norway): Struck a mine and sank at Hai Phong, Vietnam.

11 July

• Topdal (Norway): Sank whilst laid up at Bergen after some boys opened her sea cocks.

13 July

• Freiburg (Germany): The cargo ship was scuttled in the Skagerrak.
• Gertrud Fritzen (Germany): The cargo ship was scuttled in the Skagerrak with a cargo of poison gas munitions.

25 July

• Apogon (United States Navy): Operation Crossroads: Sunk by nuclear weapon at Bikini Atoll as a test target.Bikini Atoll in Operation Crossroads as a test target
• Arkansas (United States Navy): Operation Crossroads: Sunk by nuclear weapon at Bikini Atoll as a test target. target
• LSM-60 (United States Navy): Operation Crossroads: Blown apart/pulverized by nuclear weapon suspended from it at Bikini Atoll.
• Pilotfish (United States Navy): Operation Crossroads: Sunk by nuclear weapon at Bikini Atoll as a test target. Raised, moved to Eniwetok and sunk by another nuclear weapon in 1948.
• Saratoga (United States Navy): Operation Crossroads: Sunk by nuclear weapon at Bikini Atoll as a test target.
• YO-160 (United States Navy): Operation Crossroads: Sunk by nuclear weapon at Bikini Atoll as a test target.

30 July

• Nagato (United States Navy): Operation Crossroads: Sunk by nuclear weapon at Bikini Atoll as a test target.
• Vipya (Nyasaland): The sternwheel ferry capsized and sank in a storm while only on her fourth voyage on Lake Nyasa 7 nautical miles (13 km) near Florence Bay with the loss of 145 lives. The Malawi Department of Antiquities's sign at the Memorial site at Fort Johnston (now Mangochi) confirms the loss of life as being 145.

31 July

• American Farmer (United States): The cargo ship collided with SS William J. Riddle (United States) in the Atlantic Ocean and was severely damaged and abandoned. All passengers and crew rescued by William J. Riddle. American Farmer was initially reported to have sunk, but later reported to be still afloat.
• SS Argyle (Canada): She ran aground and was wrecked near Punta Gorda, Cuba while on passage Baracoa for Miami with bananas

Unknown date

• USS Skipjack (United States Navy): Operation Crossroads: The Salmon-class submarine was sunk by a nuclear weapon at Bikini Atoll as a test target. Later raised for further use as a target ship.

August

2 August

• Empire Cross (United Kingdom) Capsized following an explosion and fire at Haifa, Palestine. Up to 25 people killed.

10 August

• Adur II (United Kingdom): The tug capsized and sank off Hartland Point, Devon with the loss of one of her crew.

16 August

• Finisterre (France): Fishing vessel driven ashore at St. Ives. Three crew killed.

22 August

• Empire Rival (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was damaged at Haifa, Palestine by a limpet mine and was beached. She was later repaired and returned to service.

25 August

• Empire Peacock (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean () with a cargo of obsolete chemical ammunition.

September

3 September

• Fulani (United Kingdom): the cargo ship ran aground in the River Mersey at Liverpool, Lancashire. Refloated the next day.
• Sea King (Norway): The cargo ship sank in the Trondheimsleia following a collision with another ship. Was on a voyage from Skrova to Trondheim.

8 September

• Rhön (Germany): The cargo ship was scuttled off Arendal, Norway.

12 September

• Fort Fraser (United Kingdom) : The cargo ship ran aground at Paull, Yorkshire. Later refloated.
• Helena Modjeska (United States): The cargo ship ran aground on the Goodwin Sands, Kent, United Kingdom. Later broke her back, a total loss.

13 September

• Marit II (Norway): The tanker broke in two off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, United States ( and sank with the loss of eleven crew.

15 September

• Herøy (Norway): The cargo ship sprang a leak and sank west of the Feistein Lighthouse, Klepp whilst on a voyage from Odda to Sarpsborg.

19 September

• Ohio (United Kingdom): The tanker was scuttled off Malta.

20 September

• TID 62 (United Kingdom): The tug suffered a failure of her steering gear off Beachy Head, East Sussex. She was taken in tow by HMS Zephyr (Royal Navy) and anchored off Folkestone, Kent where she later sank with the loss of a crewman.

29 September

• Fort Vermillion (United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground on the Goodwin Sands, Kent, United Kingdom. Refloated on 6 October.
• Torni (United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground at Petard Point, Ravenscar, Yorkshire.

30 September

• Alta (Norway): The cargo ship sank off Makkaur. Raised in 1949 and converted to a barge in 1950.

Unknown date

• LCG(M) 132 (Norway): The landing craft was driven ashore whilst under tow from Inveraray, Argyllshire to Greenock, Renfrewshire, United Kingdom and was a total loss.
• Schuyler Colfax (United States): The liberty ship was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean by USS Tilefish (United States Navy).

October

10 October

• Fluor (United Kingdom): The coaster was struck by Strathnaver (United Kingdom) whilst moored at Southampton, Hampshire and sank. All twelve crew escaped.

11 October

• Glamorganbrook (United Kingdom): The coaster sprang a leak and sank off Scarborough, Yorkshire with the loss of one of the fifteen people on board.

12 October

• Empire Severn (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was scuttled north west of the Hebrides () with a cargo of obsolete chemical ammunition.
• Ludwigshafen (Germany): The cargo ship was scuttled in the Skagerrak.

14 October

• Eider (Germany): The former (hulked) cargo ship was scuttled in the Skagerrak.

24 October

• Bakkøy (Norway): The cargo ship ran aground east of Lindesnes whilst on a voyage from Korshamn to Oslo.

26 October

For the loss of the German cargo ship Arizona on or after this date, see the entry for 17 April 1944.

• Arthur Sewall (United States): The Liberty ship was scuttled in the North Sea with a cargo of obsolete chemical ammunition.

28 October

• Renascent (Norway): The coaster sprang a leak and sank in the North Sea whilst on a voyage from Lowestoft, Suffolk, United Kingdom to Kristiansand.

29 October

• Stanburn (United Kingdom): The cargo ship foundered off Sfax, Tunisia with the loss of four of her 35 crew.

Unknown date

• George Hawley (United States): The Liberty ship was scuttled with a cargo of obsolete chemical ammunition.

November

2 November

• Empire Woodlark (United Kingdom): The troopship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Hebrides () with a cargo of obsolete chemical ammunition.
• Tora (Norway): The cargo ship sprang a leak and sank in the Åland Sea west of Almagrundet, Sweden whilst on a voyage from Kotka, Finland to Stavanger.

4 November

• Gulli (Norway): Ran aground at Kragerø.

5 November

• Lund (Royal Navy): The naval trawler was sunk by the explosion of a depth charge whilst engaged in an operation to disperse the wreck of SS Flandres (Belgium) off Deal, Kent. Four crew were killed and three were injured.
• Valle (Norway): The coaster suffered engine failure and struck rocks whilst on a voyage from Grimstad to Haugesund.

11 November

• Empire Pitt (United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground in the English Channel off Berville-sur-Mer, Eure, France and broke her back. She was declared a constructive total loss.

13 November

• U-977 (United States Navy): The Type VIIC submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Massachusetts by USS Atule (United States Navy).

20 November

• Albany (United Kingdom): The coaster disappeared on a voyage between Port Talbot and Rosslare.
• Stormont (United Kingdom): The coaster was in collision with Empire Brent (United Kingdom) in the River Mersey and sank with the loss of 160 of the 210 cattle she was carrying.

22 November

• Hirma (Norway): The cargo ship ran aground west of the Geita Lighthouse, Askvoll whilst on a voyage from Bergen to Bodø.

26 November

• Garth (United Kingdom): The dredger sank in the Bristol Channel with the loss of all six crew.

27 November

• Lasknes (Norway): The cargo ship ran aground off Rongevær, Norway, broke in two and sank.

Unknown date

• Tillamok (United States): The tanker ran aground at Porthcawl, Glamorgan, United Kingdom. Still aground on 25 December.

December

1 December

• Tillamook (United States): The tanker was driven ashore at Sker Point, Glamorgan, United Kingdom. She was refloated on 6 February 1947 and taken in to Swansea, Glamorgan.

2 December

• HMCS Middlesex (Royal Canadian Navy): The Algerine-class minesweeper ran aground on Shutin Island, Nova Scotia. She was subsequently scrapped in situ.

5 December

• Rubens (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was abandoned 50 nautical miles (93 km) north of Bonacca, Honduras. Drifted ashore at Bonacca, a total loss.

6 December

• N16 (French Navy): The Type XXIII submarine was lost at Toulon, Var in a diving accident with the loss of a number of lives.

7 December

• Rafiah: Aliyah Bet: The Jewish immigrant ship (formally the Athina S.) was wrecked on Sirina, north-east of Crete.

8 December

• Empire Eden (United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground at Spurn Head, Yorkshire in a gale, but was refloated.
• Francis Batey (United Kingdom): The tug sank in the Tyne.
• Irma (Sweden): The cargo ship was driven onto Manacle Rock, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Towed clear by Zwarte Zee (Netherlands).
• Liberté (France): The ocean liner collided with the wreck of Paris (France) and sank at Le Havre. Later raised, repaired and returned to service.
• HMS Saltburn (Royal Navy): The Hunt-class minesweeper broke free from her tow and ran aground at Hartland Point, Devon.
• Security (United Kingdom): The tug sank off Portland, Dorset.
• HMS Truant (Royal Navy): The T-class submarine broke free from her tow and sank off the Channel Islands.
• Wansford (United Kingdom): The cargo ship ran aground at Falmouth, Cornwall. Towed clear by Zwarte Zee (Netherlands).

13 December

• Tove (Norway): The coaster capsized and sank in the Kattegat whilst on a voyage from Randers to Bergen. One crewmember was killed.

16 December

• Leipzig (Royal Navy): The Leipzig-class cruiser was scuttled in the North Sea with a cargo of obsolete chemical weapons.
• T-21 (Germany): The torpedo boat was scuttled in the Skagerrak at .
• Z-29 (Germany): The destroyer was scuttled in the Skagerrak.

19 December

• Havskaaren (Norway): The coaster ran aground at Kvalnesflæsa, Lofoten Islands.

22 December

• Prinz Eugen (United States Navy): The Admiral Hipper-class cruiser capsized and sank at Kwajalein Atoll.

23 December

• Marna (Norway) : The coaster sank west of Gamle Hellesund whilst on a voyage from Gothenburg, Sweden to Grangemouth, Scotland, United Kingdom.

24 December

• Northeastern Victory (United States): The Victory ship ran aground and sank, Goodwin Sands, Kent, United Kingdom.

25 December

• Anastasia (United Kingdom): The coaster sprang a leak and was beached at Skar Point, Walney Island, Lancashire.

26 December

• Brigadier General M. G. Zalinski (United States Army): The transport ship sank, Inside Passage, British Columbia.

30 December

• F2 (Royal Navy): The escort ship sank in the North Sea during a storm.

31 December

• Monte Pascoal (Germany): The Monte-class ocean liner was scuttled in the Skagerrak, laden with gas shells.
• Schwabenland (Germany) The seaplane tender/catapult ship was scuttled in the Skagerrak, laden with gas shells.

See also

• List of shipwrecks