Maritime Incidents and Shipwrecks of 1939
The year 1939 was a period of immense global instability, marked by the closing stages of the Spanish Civil War and the outbreak of World War II. These geopolitical tensions, combined with the inherent dangers of seafaring, led to a variety of maritime losses. From military engagements and strategic scuttling to accidental groundings and fires, the records of this era provide a glimpse into the fragility of naval transport during a time of crisis.
Key Facts
- Military Losses: Ships from the Spanish Republican Navy and the UK's fishing fleet suffered losses due to war and aerial bombardment.
- Strategic Use: Some vessels, such as the Gambhira, were intentionally sunk as blockships or sonar targets.
- Environmental Hazards: Groundings occurred in diverse locations, from the Gulf of California to the coast of Cornwall.
- Survivability: Not all incidents ended in total loss; several ships, including the Alfonso XIII and Governor Stone, were repaired and returned to service.
War-Related Naval Losses
The onset of global conflict brought targeted destruction to the seas. In the North Sea, the United Kingdom lost the fishing trawler Aurea, which was bombed and sunk by Luftwaffe aircraft approximately 150 nautical miles (280 km) east by north of the Isle of May, Fife.
Simultaneously, the Spanish Civil War claimed the C 2 and C 5, both C 1-class motor launches belonging to the Spanish Republican Navy, which were lost between February and March.
Strategic Scuttling and Targets
Some losses were intentional. The Gambhira, a cargo ship requisitioned by the Admiralty, was scuttled—intentionally sunk—as a blockship in Kirk Sound, Scapa Flow, in the Orkney Islands. After being raised in 1943, it was re-sunk in Liverpool Bay to serve as a sonar target on October 15, 1943.
Accidental Sinkings and Groundings
Beyond the theater of war, many vessels succumbed to mechanical failure, weather, or navigational errors. The Italian cargo ship Comitas was driven ashore and broke in two, while the Italian collier (a ship designed to carry coal) Giuseppe foundered in the North Sea off Withernsea, Yorkshire.
In the United Kingdom, the collier Rubaan was wrecked after running aground on The Lizard, Cornwall, and the cargo ship Kinsol sank off Sanda Island, Argyllshire.
Incidents in the Americas
The United States experienced several losses in 1939. The fishing vessel Oduno was lost off Noyes Island in the Alexander Archipelago, Alaska, resulting in the deaths of all twelve crew members. Additionally, the motor boat Hornet sank near Unga, Alaska, with no one on board.
Other American losses included the Blatchford, part of the floating Powell River Breakwater, which sank during the year.
Salvage and Recovery
Not every maritime disaster resulted in a permanent loss. Some vessels were successfully recovered through salvage operations. The schooner Governor Stone sank at Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, but was later refloated and repaired.
A notable recovery involved the yacht Sans Peur, owned by George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 5th Duke of Sutherland. After running aground off Espiritu Santo Island in the Gulf of California, the captain managed to refloat and anchor the vessel. Despite a hole in the bottom and partial flooding, the tugboat Retriever helped make the ship sound, allowing it to resume its journey.
Fire and Reconstruction
Fire also posed a significant threat. The Spanish passenger ship Alfonso XIII was damaged by fire at Bilbao after June 26 but was eventually repaired. Similarly, the Habana was damaged by fire at Bilbao; however, it underwent a more drastic transformation, being rebuilt as a cargo ship between 1940 and 1941.
Summary of 1939 Maritime Incidents
| Ship Name | State/Affiliation | Outcome | Cause/Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurea | United Kingdom | Sunk | Luftwaffe bombing |
| Gambhira | United Kingdom | Scuttled | Blockship/Sonar target |
| Oduno | United States | Lost | Sunk off Noyes Island (12 fatalities) |
| Sans Peur | United Kingdom | Recovered | Grounded in Gulf of California |
| Alfonso XIII | Spain | Repaired | Fire at Bilbao |
| C 2 & C 5 | Spanish Republican Navy | Lost | Spanish Civil War |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ships were successfully returned to service?
The Alfonso XIII, Governor Stone, and Sans Peur were all repaired or refloated and returned to service after their respective incidents.
What happened to the ship Gambhira?
The Gambhira was first scuttled as a blockship in Scapa Flow in 1939, raised in 1943, and then sunk again in Liverpool Bay to be used as a sonar target.
Were there any fatalities reported among these incidents?
Yes, the loss of the fishing vessel Oduno off Noyes Island resulted in the deaths of all twelve crew members.
How was the yacht Sans Peur saved?
After running aground and becoming partially flooded, the captain refloated the vessel, and the tugboat Retriever assisted in making the ship sound again.
Which vessels were lost during the Spanish Civil War?
The C 2 and C 5, both C 1-class motor launches of the Spanish Republican Navy, were lost in February or March of 1939.