List of shipwrecks in 1959

The list of shipwrecks in 1959 includes ships sunk, foundered, grounded, or otherwise lost during 1959.

table of contents
1959
Jan Feb Mar Apr
May Jun Jul Aug
Sep Oct Nov Dec
Unknown date
References

January

1 January

List of shipwrecks: 1 January 1959
ShipStateDescription
Valder United States The motor vessel sank in the North Pacific Ocean off Craig, Alaska.[1]

9 January

List of shipwrecks: 9 January 1959
ShipStateDescription
Freya United Kingdom The fisheries protection vessel foundered off Caithness with the loss of three of her twenty crew.[2]

14 January

List of shipwrecks: 14 January 1959
ShipStateDescription
Pelayo United Kingdom The cargo ship struck a jetty at Livorno, Italy and was holed. She subsequently sank, but all 32 crew and both passengers were rescued.[3]

18 January

List of shipwrecks: 18 January 1959
ShipStateDescription
Valiant Effort United States The Liberty ship was abandoned in the Mediterranean Sea. Seventeen of her 37 crew were rescued from their lifeboats by French Navy helicopters. The rest were rescued by the tug Belier ( France). Valiant Effort subsequently came ashore near Ras el Djebel, Tunisia, and broke in two.[4][5]

23 January

List of shipwrecks: 23 January 1959
ShipStateDescription
Natone Australia The cargo ship ran aground and sank off Double Island Point, Queensland, Australia.

25 January

List of shipwrecks: 25 January 1959
ShipStateDescription
Yandra Australia The coastal steamer ran aground and was wrecked at the mouth of Spencer Gulf in South Australia.

27 January

List of shipwrecks: 27 January 1959
ShipStateDescription
Laura T Gabriella Italy The coaster sank in a storm off Antipaxos, Greece. All eight crew killed.[6]
Adele Andolo Italy The coaster foundered 40 nautical miles (74 km) south of Malta. Five of her eleven crew were killed, six were rescued by the Admiralty tug Mediator ( United Kingdom).[7]

30 January

List of shipwrecks: 30 January 1959
ShipStateDescription
Hans Hedtoft Denmark The cargo liner sank on her maiden voyage off Cape Farewell, Greenland with the loss of all 95 passengers and crew.

February

2 February

List of shipwrecks: 2 February 1959
ShipStateDescription
No. 63  Republic of China Navy Chinese Civil War: The auxiliary gunboat was shelled and sunk by No. 565, No. 566, and No. 567 (all  People's Liberation Army Navy). 11 crewmen killed, 12 taken as prisoners of war.[8]

4 February

List of shipwrecks: 4 February 1959
ShipStateDescription
Strathcoe United Kingdom The fishing trawler was wrecked on Santoo Head (near Rackwick), Hoy, Orkney, Scotland. The 14 crew were rescued by the Longhope Lifeboat and breeches buoy.[9]

5 February

List of shipwrecks: 5 February 1959
ShipStateDescription
Jens Bangrang Denmark The passenger ship ran aground north of Copenhagen. Three hundred passengers transferred ashore by tugs.[10]

7 February

List of shipwrecks: 7 February 1959
ShipStateDescription
Princesse Josephine Charlotte Belgium The ferry ran aground at Ostend, later refloated undamaged.[11]
Pitho Singapore The tug collided with Takeshima Maru ( Japan) in Singapore Harbour, capsized and sank with the loss of five of her nine crew.[12]

13 February

List of shipwrecks: 13 February 1959
ShipStateDescription
Henry Foss Canada The tug struck a rock off Vancouver Island and sank with the loss of all five crew.[13]

17 February

List of shipwrecks: 17 February 1959
ShipStateDescription
Ocean Trade United Kingdom The cargo ship ran aground off Yokosuka, Japan. All 42 crew rescued.[14]

19 February

List of shipwrecks: 19 February 1959
ShipStateDescription
Marios II  Greece The cargo ship sank at 38°35′N 24°21′E / 38.583°N 24.350°E / 38.583; 24.350 whilst under tow following a boiler explosion. She was on a voyage from Stratoni to Piraeus.[15]
OPV Hermodur Iceland The lighthouse tender foundered off Reykjanes with the loss of all twelve crew.[16]

20 February

List of shipwrecks: 20 February 1959
ShipStateDescription
Llandaff  United Kingdom The 12,501 grt freighter ran aground at Esbjerg. She was refloated 7 March 1959 and scrapped in September 1959.

22 February

List of shipwrecks: 22 February 1959
ShipStateDescription
Irene C United States The 8-gross register ton, 30.2-foot (9.2 m) fishing vessel was destroyed by fire at Wrangell, Alaska.[17]

25 February

List of shipwrecks: 25 February 1959
ShipStateDescription
Ocean Trade United Kingdom The cargo ship sank off Yokosuka, Japan.[14]

March

3 March

List of shipwrecks: 3 March 1959
ShipStateDescription
USS Cassia County  United States Navy The decommissioned tank landing ship was sunk as a target.
Stellatus Sweden The cargo ship ran aground 2+1⁄2 nautical miles (4.6 km) south of Duncansby Head, Caithness, United Kingdom. All 40 crew were rescued. Stellatus was on a voyage from Turku, Finland to Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, United Kingdom. She broke in two on 10 March and was a total loss.[18][19]

14 March

List of shipwrecks: 14 March 1959
ShipStateDescription
Bluefin United States While her owner-operator was ashore, the 48-foot (14.6 m) seiner was destroyed by fire at Station Island (56°29′35″N 132°46′00″W / 56.49306°N 132.76667°W / 56.49306; -132.76667 (Station Island)) in Sumner Strait in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska.[20]

17 March

List of shipwrecks: 17 March 1959
ShipStateDescription
Lisa C Italy The coastal tanker ran aground near Mazagan, Morocco. All crew rescued by American military helicopters from Sidi Slimane Air Base.[21]

21 March

List of shipwrecks: 21 March 1959
ShipStateDescription
Ruth United States The 32-foot (9.8 m) fishing vessel was destroyed by fire off Blank Island (55°16′20″N 131°38′30″W / 55.27222°N 131.64167°W / 55.27222; -131.64167 (Blank Island)) in Nichols Passage in Southeast Alaska.[22]

23 March

List of shipwrecks: 23 March 1959
ShipStateDescription
Kholmogory Soviet Union The cargo ship collided with Bischofstein ( West Germany) off Spiekeroog, Netherlands and sank. One of her 41 crew was killed, the 40 survivors were rescued by Bischofstein and landed at Bremerhaven, West Germany.[23]

26 March

List of shipwrecks: 26 March 1959
ShipStateDescription
Valchem United States The T2 tanker collided with the ocean liner Santa Rosa ( United States) 20 nautical miles (37 km) east of Atlantic City, New Jersey.[24] Four people were killed.[25][26] Valchem was declared a constructive total loss and consequently scrapped.[24][27]

28 March

List of shipwrecks: 28 March 1959
ShipStateDescription
Antonin Dvorak United States The Liberty ship was driven ashore at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina whilst being towed from Wilmington, North Carolina to Baltimore, Maryland for scrapping. Refloated in April and completed the voyage.[28]

30 March

List of shipwrecks: 30 March 1959
ShipStateDescription
Point Reyes United States The 44-gross register ton, 57.2-foot (17.4 m) fishing vessel was destroyed by fire 0.125 nautical miles (0.232 km; 0.144 mi) southwest of Kane Island (57°19′25″N 135°40′00″W / 57.32361°N 135.66667°W / 57.32361; -135.66667 (Kane Island)) in Salisbury Sound in Southeast Alaska.[29]

April

12 April

List of shipwrecks: 12 April 1959
ShipStateDescription
Charlotte Ann United States The 15-gross register ton, 40.2-foot (12.3 m) fishing vessel was destroyed by fire in Belkofski Bay (55°05′N 162°09′W / 55.083°N 162.150°W / 55.083; -162.150 (Belkofski Bay)) on the south-central coast of Alaska.[30]

13 April

List of shipwrecks: 13 April 1959
ShipStateDescription
Alkaira The cargo ship was destroyed at Ostend, Belgium, by an explosive charge planted by La Main Rouge.
Holdernith United Kingdom Ran aground off Burnham on Sea, Somerset. Refloated undamaged a week later.

15 April

List of shipwrecks: 15 April 1959
ShipStateDescription
Spurn Lightship United Kingdom The lightship was driven ashore in the River Hull at Woodmansea, Yorkshire.[31]

19 April

List of shipwrecks: 19 April 1959
ShipStateDescription
Harborough United Kingdom The cargo ship struck the wreck of Kholmogory ( Soviet Union) in the Weser Estuary and sank. All 42 crew rescued by the German pilot ship Weser ( West Germany).[32]

26 April

List of shipwrecks: 26 April 1959
ShipStateDescription
Bygdov Libya The cargo ship ran aground at the entrance to Accra, Ghana. She was holed and sank.[33]

29 April

List of shipwrecks: 29 April 1959
ShipStateDescription
Prescott Canada The cargo ship collided with a bridge over the Beauharnois Canal at Valleyfield, Quebec and then ran aground. Refloated after fifteen hours.[34]

May

5 May

List of shipwrecks: 5 May 1959
ShipStateDescription
Fortuna United States The 10-gross register ton, 36.1-foot (11.0 m) fishing vessel sank approximately 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) off the mouth of Burnett Inlet (56°04′N 132°28′W / 56.067°N 132.467°W / 56.067; -132.467 (Burnett Inlet)) in Southeast Alaska.[35]
Nicolas Kairis Greece The Liberty ship ran aground at Kuchinoshima, Japan (30°30′N 129°52′E / 30.500°N 129.867°E / 30.500; 129.867) and broke in two.[4]

8 May

List of shipwrecks: 8 May 1959
ShipStateDescription
Dandara United Arab Republic The passenger boat sank in the River Nile near Barrage Gardens, 16 miles (26 km) south of Cairo. At least 50 bodies had been recovered within two days of the accident and police estimated the death toll at 150.[36]
Gugsier West Germany The tug collided with the tanker Kylix ( Netherlands), which she was towing, and sank at Hamburg with the loss of one crewmember.[37]


9 May

List of shipwrecks: 9 May 1959
ShipStateDescription
Lassie United States The 21-gross register ton, 42-foot (12.8 m) fishing vessel sank in Stephens Passage near Midway Island (57°50′15″N 133°48′45″W / 57.83750°N 133.81250°W / 57.83750; -133.81250 (Midway Island)) in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska.[38]
Wang Archer United States The Victory ship ran aground 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) west of Freeport, Bahamas. She was on a voyage from New Orleans, Louisiana to Bombay, India. She was refloated on 17 May and found to be severely damaged. Subsequently repaired and returned to service.[39]

11 May

List of shipwrecks: 11 May 1959
ShipStateDescription
P P United States The 8-gross register ton, 28-foot (8.5 m) fishing vessel was destroyed by fire approximately 200 yards (180 m) off Dog Point (57°10′10″N 135°25′20″W / 57.16944°N 135.42222°W / 57.16944; -135.42222 (Dog Point)) in Sitka Sound in Southeast Alaska.[29]

13 May

List of shipwrecks: 13 May 1959
ShipStateDescription
USS Lyon County  United States Navy The decommissioned LST-542-class tank landing ship was sunk as a torpedo target by the submarine USS Capitaine ( United States Navy) off the coast of Washington.

21 May

List of shipwrecks: 21 May 1959
ShipStateDescription
Channel Trader United Kingdom The coaster ran aground off Cap de la Hague, France.[40][41]

31 May

List of shipwrecks: 31 May 1959
ShipStateDescription
A R B 10 United States The 39-gross register ton, 62.8-foot (19.1 m) fishing vessel sank in Lituya Bay in Southeast Alaska.[42]

Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1959
ShipStateDescription
Daibabe Panama The cargo ship sank east of Malta. All crew rescued by Uarda ( Sweden).[43]
USS LSSL-67  United States Navy The LCS(L)-class landing craft was sunk as a target with bombs and rockets sometime in May.[44][45]
Motomar Argentina The coaster sank off Argentina with the loss of fifteen of her eighteen crew.[46]

June

9 June

List of shipwrecks: 9 June 1959
ShipStateDescription
Margaret Rose India The coaster capsized and sank off Dwarka, She was on a voyage from Bombay to Port Okha.[47]


14 June

List of shipwrecks: 14 June 1959
ShipStateDescription
Plouharnel France The Liberty ship caught fire off the Newport Rock. She was on a voyage from Le Havre to Djibouti, Djibouti. She put in to Suez, Egypt but subsequently resumed her voyage. The fire was extinguished on 26 June. She was declared a constructive total loss.[48]

15 June

List of shipwrecks: 15 June 1959
ShipStateDescription
Ocean Layer United Kingdom The cable ship caught fire in the Atlantic Ocean (48°26′N 19°03′W / 48.433°N 19.050°W / 48.433; -19.050) and was abandoned by her crew. She was taken in tow by Wotan ( West Germany), arriving at Falmouth, Cornwall on 21 June still on fire. Declared a constructive total loss and consequently scrapped.[49]

18 June

List of shipwrecks: 18 June 1959
ShipStateDescription
Springdale United Kingdom The cargo ship sank off the coast of Sweden. All seventeen crew survived unharmed.[50]

25 June

List of shipwrecks: 25 June 1959
ShipStateDescription
Monrovia Liberia During a voyage from Antwerp, Belgium, to either Chicago, Illinois, or Duluth, Minnesota (according to different sources) with a cargo of steel, the cargo ship collided in heavy fog with the steamer Royalton ( United Kingdom) in Lake Huron and was abandoned by her crew. She sank in 140 feet (43 m) of water 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi) off Thunder Bay Island, Michigan, United States the next day at 44°35′25″N 82°33′12″W / 44.590278°N 82.553333°W / 44.590278; -82.553333 (Monrovia).[51][52]
Sabine United States The tanker collided with the T2 tanker Conastoga ( United States) in Galveston Bay and was beached. Sabine was on a voyage from Houston, Texas to Tampa, Florida. She was refloated. Subsequently laid up, she was scrapped in 1961.[53]

July

1 July

List of shipwrecks: 1 July 1959
ShipStateDescription
Kamishak United States The 12-gross register ton, 36.2-foot (11.0 m) fishing vessel sank at Cape Kumlik (56°39′N 157°27′W / 56.650°N 157.450°W / 56.650; -157.450 (Cape Kumlik)) on the south-central coast of Alaska.[54]

3 July

List of shipwrecks: 3 July 1959
ShipStateDescription
Ombrina Italy The tanker collided with a swing bridge and a yacht at Sète, France. She was holed and her cargo of avgas and petrol was set alight by a lighted gas cooker on board the yacht Bambula ( United Kingdom), which caught fire and sank. The fire also spread to three other ships, Jacques Schiaffino and Tessala (both France) and Stilbe ( Morocco). USS Fort Mandan ( United States Navy) assisted firemen from Montpellier and Sète in fighting the fires. One of the four crew of Bambula and two of the crew of Ombrina were killed, with a further two crew from the latter ship seriously injured.[55]
Rio Altro Colombia The cargo ship caught fire, exploded and sank in the Caribbean with the loss of up to five crew. Essen ( West Germany) rescued 38 survivors and landed them at Cristóbal, Panama Canal Zone.[56]

6 July

List of shipwrecks: 6 July 1959
ShipStateDescription
Beaverbank United Kingdom The cargo ship ran aground at Fanning Island, Gilbert and Ellice Islands.[57]

12 July

List of shipwrecks: 12 July 1959
ShipStateDescription
St Ronan United Kingdom The coaster was in the English Channel when she was struck by the Liberty ship Mount Athos ( Greece) and sliced in two. Both halves sank. Three of her ten crew were lost, with the survivors being rescued by Mount Athos and landed at Dover, Kent.[58]

17 July

List of shipwrecks: 17 July 1959
ShipStateDescription
ICGV Hermadur  Icelandic Coast Guard The patrol vessel sank.[59]

18 July

List of shipwrecks: 18 July 1959
ShipStateDescription
Tyee United States The 16-gross register ton, 39-foot (11.9 m) fishing vessel was destroyed by fire at Anan Creek (56°10′50″N 131°53′05″W / 56.18056°N 131.88472°W / 56.18056; -131.88472 (Anan Creek)) in Ernest Sound in Southeast Alaska.[60]

28 July

List of shipwrecks: 28 July 1959
ShipStateDescription
Westbrook United Kingdom The tanker caught fire whilst laid up at Barry, Glamorgan. She was consequently scrapped.[61]

29 July

List of shipwrecks: 29 July 1959
ShipStateDescription
HMS Upstart  Royal Navy The U-class submarine was sunk as a target off the Isle of Wight.
Rivergate United Kingdom The schooner capsized and sank off the Inner Dowsing Light Vessel ( Trinity House ). She was on a voyage from London to Goole, Yorkshire.[62]

August

1 August

List of shipwrecks: 1 August 1959
ShipStateDescription
Queen Kathleen Canada The fishing vessel was wrecked on rocks in the Aleutian Islands west of Unimak Pass. The vessel Western Pioneer ( United States) rescued her entire crew of eight.[63]

5 August

List of shipwrecks: 5 August 1959
ShipStateDescription
Porfico No. 1 United States The 9-gross register ton, 31.1-foot (9.5 m) motor vessel was destroyed by fire at Ninilchik, Alaska.[29]

11 August

List of shipwrecks: 11 August 1959
ShipStateDescription
National Peace United States The T2 tanker ran aground on Kiltan Island, in the Laccadive Islands, India (11°33′N 73°01′E / 11.550°N 73.017°E / 11.550; 73.017) and was abandoned. She was on a voyage from Bahrain to Manila, Phiippines. She was refloated in March 1962 and towed in to Bombay, India, where she was declare a constructive total loss. She was consequently scrapped.[64][65][66]

18 August

List of shipwrecks: 18 August 1959
ShipStateDescription
Elinor D United States The 9-gross register ton, 29-foot (8.8 m) fishing vessel was destroyed at Ketchikan, Alaska, by a fire that began when she suffered an explosion as her owner turned the ignition key to start her gasoline engine.[67]

21 August

List of shipwrecks: 21 August 1959
ShipStateDescription
Micho United States The 21-gross register ton, 34.4-foot (10.5 m) cargo vessel was destroyed by fire in Smeaton Bay (55°19′N 130°54′W / 55.317°N 130.900°W / 55.317; -130.900 (Smeaton Bay)) in Southeast Alaska.[68]
Pilar II Philippines The passenger ship foundered 300 nautical miles (560 km) south of Palawan. There were eleven survivors from the 100 people on board.[69]

23 August

List of shipwrecks: 23 August 1959
ShipStateDescription
Naranco Spain The coaster collided with Goldstone ( Panama) in the English Channel off Dungeness, Kent and sank with the loss of one of her 22 crew.[70]
Staxton Wyke United Kingdom The trawler was in collision with Dalhanna ( United Kingdom) and sank 10 nautical miles (19 km) off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire with the loss of five of her 21 crew. The sixteen survivors were rescued by Dalhanna.[71]

24 August

List of shipwrecks: 24 August 1959
ShipStateDescription
Gerontas Panama The Liberty ship ran aground at Gdynia, Poland. She was on a voyage from Vitoria to Gdynia. She was later refloated but was declared a constructive total loss and scrapped.[72][73]

26 August

List of shipwrecks: 26 August 1959
ShipStateDescription
Newington Canada The tugboat sank while laid up at Burrard Inlet, British Columbia.[74][75][76]
Wonder Girl United States The 16-gross register ton, 35-foot (10.7 m) fishing vessel sank near False Pass, Alaska.[77]

30 August

List of shipwrecks: 30 August 1959
ShipStateDescription
Glen Usk United Kingdom The passenger ship ran aground in the River Avon. Refloated the next day.[78]

31 August

List of shipwrecks: 31 August 1959
ShipStateDescription
Comet United States The 41-gross register ton, 56-foot (17.1 m) motor cargo vessel was wrecked near Kodiak, Alaska.[30]

Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date August 1959
ShipStateDescription
Hilda United States The 10-ton, 36.5-foot (11.1 m) fishing vessel near Saint John Harbor (56°27′00″N 132°57′30″W / 56.45000°N 132.95833°W / 56.45000; -132.95833 (Saint John Harbor)) on Zarembo Island in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska.[79]

September

4 September

List of shipwrecks: 4 September 1959
ShipStateDescription
Spica Sweden The cargo ship sank off Le Havre, France. Refloated on 6 September.[80]

7 September

List of shipwrecks: 7 September 1959
ShipStateDescription
Empire Oberon United Kingdom The tug sank at Akra, India. The wreck was dispersed by explosives in October.[81]

8 September

List of shipwrecks: 8 September 1959
ShipStateDescription
Putco-2 United States The 90-gross register ton, 70.1-foot (21.4 m) barge was wrecked near Dutch Harbor, Alaska.[29]

10 September

List of shipwrecks: 10 September 1959
ShipStateDescription
Sukie United States The 20-gross register ton, 40-foot (12.2 m) fishing vessel was destroyed by fire in the Duncan Canal in Southeast Alaska.[82]

14 September

List of shipwrecks: 14 September 1959
ShipStateDescription
Jezebel United Kingdom The schooner sank off Penmon Point, Beaumaris. All six people on board rescued.[83]

27 September

List of shipwrecks: 27 September 1959
ShipStateDescription
Changsha Australia Typhoon Vera: The passenger ship was driven aground at Yokkaichi, Japan.[84]
Tjitjalengka Netherlands Typhoon Vera: The passenger ship was driven aground near Nagoya, Japan.[85]

Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date in September 1959
ShipStateDescription
M-252  Soviet Navy The submarine ran aground in the Tatar Strait with the loss of several lives. She was later refloated.[86]

October

4 October

List of shipwrecks: 4 October 1959
ShipStateDescription
NRP Comandante Celestino Silva  Portuguese Navy The air-sea rescue vessel foundered between Madeira and Lisbon. Crew rescued by the corvette NRP Santa Maria ( Portuguese Navy).[87]

18 October

List of shipwrecks: 18 October 1959
ShipStateDescription
Deniz Turkey The ship was boarded by crew from HMS Burnaston ( Royal Navy) off Cyprus and ammunition was discovered on board. Three crew were arrested, but the vessel was scuttled.[88]

22 October

List of shipwrecks: 22 October 1959
ShipStateDescription
Ruth Ann United States The 135-gross register ton, 107.3-foot (32.7 m) fishing vessel sank at Woronkofski Island in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska.[22]

23 October

List of shipwrecks: 23 October 1959
ShipStateDescription
Lipari United States The Liberty ship ran aground off Grays Harbor, Washington. She was on a voyage from Calcutta, India to Seattle, Washington. She was refloated on 30 October and towed in to Portland, Oregon in a severely damaged condition. Consequently scrapped.[89]

27 October

List of shipwrecks: 27 October 1958
ShipStateDescription
Hindlea United Kingdom The coaster was driven ashore in Moelfre Bay and was abandoned by her crew. She was looted by the local inhabitants and was declared a total loss.[90]

28 October

List of shipwrecks: 28 October 1958
ShipStateDescription
Rayland United States The 34-ton motor vessel was destroyed by fire in Valdez Arm (60°53′N 146°54′W / 60.883°N 146.900°W / 60.883; -146.900 (Valdez Arm)) on the south-central coast of Alaska.[22]

Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1959
ShipStateDescription
Hindlea United Kingdom The coaster was driven ashore and wrecked. Her crew were rescued by the HolyHead Lifeboat.[91]

November

13 November

List of shipwrecks: 13 November 1959
ShipStateDescription
Lough Fisher United Kingdom The coaster ran aground at the southern tip of Öland, Sweden.[92]

16 November

List of shipwrecks: 23 November 1959
ShipStateDescription
HDMS Hjælperen  Royal Danish Navy The torpedo boat tender collided with the cargo ship Ceres ( Finland) at Copenhagen and was severely damaged.[93]

23 November

List of shipwrecks: 23 November 1959
ShipStateDescription
President Reiz United Kingdom The tanker ran aground at Oslo, Norway and was holed.[94]
Tanar Turkey The cargo ship was in collision with Kharkov ( Soviet Union) and sank in the North Sea. All crew rescued by Kharkov.[94][95] Kharkov was arrested on arrival at Bremen, West Germany.[95]
Wansbeck United Kingdom The coaster caught fire at Ghent, Belgium. One crewmember was killed.[94]

24 November

List of shipwrecks: 24 November 1959
ShipStateDescription
Holmglen New Zealand The cargo ship sank off Timaru with the loss of 15 lives.

27 October

List of shipwrecks: 27 October 1959
ShipStateDescription
Hindlea United Kingdom The coaster was driven ashore in Moelfre Bay, Anglesey and broke in two, a total loss.[90]

30 November

List of shipwrecks: 30 November 1959
ShipStateDescription
Braemar Castle United Kingdom The ocean liner was driven ashore at Gibraltar in a gale. Refloated the next day.[96][97]

Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1959
ShipStateDescription
Parks No. 3 United States A storm destroyed the 7-gross register ton, 29.5-foot (9.0 m) fishing vessel off Tonki Cape (58°21′N 151°59′W / 58.350°N 151.983°W / 58.350; -151.983 (Tonki Cape)) on Afognak Island in the Kodiak Archipelago.[29]

December

1 December

List of shipwrecks: 1 December 1959
ShipStateDescription
Tillikum United States The 26-gross register ton, 47-foot (14.3 m) fishing vessel sank near Dundas Island, British Columbia, Canada.[60]

6 December

List of shipwrecks: 6 December 1959
ShipStateDescription
George Robb United Kingdom The fishing vessel ran aground at Duncansby Head, Scotland, with the loss of all 12 crew.[98]

7 December

List of shipwrecks: 7 December 1959
ShipStateDescription
Servus United Kingdom The motor vessel ran aground below Dunbeath Castle, Scotland. All crew rescued by lifeboat.[99]

8 December

List of shipwrecks: 8 December 1959
ShipStateDescription
RNLB Mona (ON 775) Royal National Lifeboat Institution The lifeboat capsized out of Broughty Ferry, Scotland, with the loss of all eight crew.

9 December

List of shipwrecks: 9 December 1959
ShipStateDescription
Elfrida Norway The cargo ship sprang a leak and sank off Stavanger. She was on a voyage from Arkhangelsk, Soviet Union to a Danish port.[15]

13 December

List of shipwrecks: 13 December 1959
ShipStateDescription
Argus United States The 30-gross register ton, 41.6-foot (12.7 m) fishing vessel was wrecked on Tilson Island (57°03′N 135°20′W / 57.050°N 135.333°W / 57.050; -135.333 (Tilson Island)) in Southeast Alaska approximately four nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) west of Sitka, Alaska.[42]
Eastern Lucky Panama The steamer sprang a leak and sank off Formosa. All 43 crew rescued by the steamer Tyne Breeze ( Hong Kong).

14 December

List of shipwrecks: 14 December 1959
ShipStateDescription
HMS Cleveland  Royal Navy The wreck of the Hunt-class destroyer, stranded at Llangennith, Glamorgan, Wales, since 28 June 1957, was blown up after being stripped.
Red Falcon United Kingdom The 161.3-foot (49.2 m), 449-ton trawler foundered off Skerryvore in rough weather with winds gusting to 90 miles per hour (140 km/h). Lost with all 19 hands.[100][101]

16 December

List of shipwrecks: 16 December 1959
ShipStateDescription
Lew-Al United States The 17-gross register ton, 36.3-foot (11.1 m) fishing vessel was wrecked in the lower part of Cook Inlet on the south-central coast of Alaska.[38]
Mount Vernon United States The T2 tanker arrived at Antwerp, Belgium from Galveston, Texas severely damaged by weather and with damage to her engines. Repairs declared uneconomic, she was scrapped.[102]

17 December

List of shipwrecks: 17 December 1959
ShipStateDescription
Moelv Norway The floating power station, a converted T2 tanker, suffered a turbine explosion at Gothenburg, Sweden. She was declared a constructive total loss and consequently scrapped.[103]

20 December

List of shipwrecks: 20 December 1959
ShipStateDescription
Jamin I Belgium The steamer ran aground 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) west of the Harmaja Lighthouse, Helsinki. Refloated 5 January 1960, subsequently scrapped.[104]

25 December

List of shipwrecks: 25 December 1959
ShipStateDescription
Rosa Vlassi  Greece The collier capsized and sank between Laurium and Makronisi. She was on a voyage from Stratoni to Piraeus.[105]

30 December

List of shipwrecks: 30 December 1959
ShipStateDescription
Valley Forge United States The Liberty ship ran aground off Mapor Island, Singapore, and broke in two, a total loss.[106]

Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1959
ShipStateDescription
Cape Corso United Kingdom The Ocean ship collided with another vessel and ran aground. She was consequently scrapped.[107]
USS Esmeraldo County  United States Navy The decommissioned LST-542-class tank landing ship was sunk as a target.
ROKS Kang Wha  Republic of Korea Navy The YMS-1-class coastal minesweeper was sunk.[108][109]
Kimball United States The 20-gross register ton, 37.7-foot (11.5 m) motor cargo vessel was destroyed by fire in Knudsen Cove (55°28′30″N 131°48′00″W / 55.47500°N 131.80000°W / 55.47500; -131.80000 (Knudsen Cove)) in Southeast Alaska.[54]
Kwinana Australia
The wreck of Kwinana, ca. 1960
The hulk of the passenger-cargo ship, aground 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Rockingham, Western Australia, since 29 May 1922 and partly destroyed by explosive charges on 2 May 1941, was cut down to water level.
Paramount United States The 42-gross register ton, 58.6-foot (17.9 m) fishing vessel sank in Frederick Sound in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska.[29]
Roosevelt II United States The 108-foot (33 m), 126-gross register ton ferry was scuttled in Lake Champlain sometime in 1959.[110]

References

  1. ↑ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (V) Retrieved 12 September 2018
  2. ↑ "Protection Cruiser Heeled Over". The Times. No. 54457. London. 11 May 1959. col. E, p. 14.
  3. ↑ "34 Rescued As British Ship Founders". The Times. No. 54359. London. 15 January 1959. col. F, p. 8.
  4. 1 2 "Liberty Ships – R". Mariners. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  5. ↑ "Helicopters Save U.S. Seamen". The Times. No. 54362. London. 19 January 1959. col. B, p. 8.
  6. ↑ "Telegrams in Brief". The Times. No. 54370. London. 28 January 1959. col. G, p. 6.
  7. ↑ "Six Men Rescued By British Tug". The Times. No. 54372. London. 30 January 1959. col. C, p. 9.
  8. ↑ "Chinese Naval Battles (Civil War and later)". Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  9. ↑ "Skipper's Bravery in Pounding Seas". The Scotsman. No. 36907. Edinburgh. 5 February 1959. p. 1. Retrieved 21 December 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ↑ "Telegrams in Brief". The Times. No. 54378. London. 6 February 1959. col. G, p. 11.
  11. ↑ "Belgian Car Ferry Goes Aground". The Times. No. 54380. London. 9 February 1959. col. F, p. 6.
  12. ↑ "Five Feared Dead in Tug Collision". The Times. No. 54380. London. 9 February 1959. col. G, p. 6.
  13. ↑ "Telegrams in Brief". The Times. No. 54385. London. 14 February 1959. col. G, p. 5.
  14. 1 2 "Telegrams in Brief". The Times. No. 54395. London. 26 February 1959. col. G, p. 9.
  15. 1 2 Mitchell & Sawyer 1990, p. 451.
  16. ↑ "Iceland Boat Sunk With 12 Crew". The Times. No. 54390. London. 20 February 1959. col. G, p. 10.
  17. ↑ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (I)
  18. ↑ "Swedish Ship Aground Off Caithness". The Times. No. 54400. London. 4 March 1959. col. F, p. 7.
  19. ↑ Jordan 1999, p. 362.
  20. ↑ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (B)
  21. ↑ "Helicopters Take 13 Off Stranded Ship". The Times. No. 54412. London. 18 March 1959. col. G, p. 9.
  22. 1 2 3 alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (R)
  23. ↑ "Russian Ship Sinks After Collision". The Times. No. 54417. London. 24 March 1959. col. G, p. 11.
  24. 1 2 "T2 TANKERS – C". Mariners. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  25. ↑ "Merchant and Navy Ship events 1946 – 2000". Rolf Skiöld / MAREUD.com. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  26. ↑ "Line Queen Elizabeth in Collision". The Times. No. 54526. London. 30 July 1959. col. A, p. 6.
  27. ↑ Sawyer & Mitchell 1974, pp. 151–52.
  28. ↑ Sawyer & Mitchell 1985.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (P)
  30. 1 2 alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (C)
  31. ↑ "Picture Gallery". The Times. No. 54436. London. 16 April 1959. col. D, p. 12.
  32. ↑ "British Ship Sinks in Weser Estuary". The Times. No. 54439. London. 20 April 1959. col. G, p. 8.
  33. ↑ "Telegrams in Brief". The Times. No. 54445. London. 27 April 1959. col. G, p. 9.
  34. ↑ "15-hour Hold-up on Seaway". The Times. No. 54448. London. 30 April 1959. col. B-D, p. 8.
  35. ↑ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (F)
  36. ↑ "Skipper Charged With Negligence— 40 Bodies Recovered". San Francisco Chronicle. 10 May 1959. p. 7. Officials today arrested the captain of the riverboat Dandara and charged him with negligence in the sinking of the craft in the Nile river with the loss of probably 150 lives. Divers and navy frogmen recovered 40 more bodies today. Police estimate at least 95 are still missing.
  37. ↑ "Telegrams in Brief". The Times. No. 54456. London. 9 May 1959. col. F, p. 5.
  38. 1 2 alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (L)
  39. ↑ Sawyer & Mitchell 1974, p. 52.
  40. ↑ "British Ship Aground Off France". The Times. No. 54467. London. 22 May 1959. col. E, p. 10.
  41. ↑ "Liberty Ships – P". Mariners. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  42. 1 2 alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (A)
  43. ↑ "Telegrams in Brief". The Times. No. 54464. London. 19 May 1959. col. G, p. 9.
  44. ↑ "Albina Engine & Machine Works, Portland OR". shipbuildinghistory.com. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  45. ↑ "USS LSSL-67 ex USS LCS(L)(3)-67 (1945 – 1949)". NavSource. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  46. ↑ "Telegrams in Brief". The Times. No. 54454. London. 7 May 1959. col. G, p. 11.
  47. ↑ Mitchell & Sawyer 1990, p. 246.
  48. ↑ Sawyer & Mitchell 1985, p. 99.
  49. ↑ Mitchell & Sawyer 1990, p. 457.
  50. ↑ "British Crew in Wreck Drama". The Times. No. 54491. London. 19 June 1959. col. G, p. 12.
  51. ↑ Mitchell & Sawyer 1990, p. 89.
  52. ↑ "Monrovia". Bowling Green State University. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  53. ↑ Sawyer & Mitchell 1974, p. 213.
  54. 1 2 alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (K)
  55. ↑ "Three Dead in Harbour Oil Inferno". The Times. No. 54504. London. 4 July 1959. col. G, p. 6.
  56. ↑ "Rescue of Blazing Ship Survivors". The Times. No. 54504. London. 4 July 1959. col. G, p. 6.
  57. ↑ "News in Brief". The Times. No. 54518. London. 21 July 1959. col. G, p. 5.
  58. ↑ "Three Missing After Channel Collision". The Times. No. 54511. London. 13 July 1959. col. D, p. 4.
  59. ↑ Gardiner, Robert, ed., Conway′s All the World′s Fighting Ships 1947–1982 Part I: The Western Powers, Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1983, ISBN 0870219189, p. 60.
  60. 1 2 alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (T)
  61. ↑ Mitchell & Sawyer 1990, p. 141.
  62. ↑ Mitchell & Sawyer 1990, pp. 449, 451.
  63. ↑ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (Q)
  64. ↑ "Crew Abandon Stranded U.S. Tanker". The Times. No. 54537. London. 12 August 1959. col. G, p. 6.
  65. ↑ "T2 TANKERS – N – O – P". Mariners. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  66. ↑ Sawyer & Mitchell 1974, p. 122.
  67. ↑ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (E)
  68. ↑ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (M)
  69. ↑ "Ship Sinks Off Philippines". The Times. No. 54546. London. 22 August 1959. col. F, p. 6.
  70. ↑ "Spanish Ship Goes Down Off Kent". The Times. No. 54547. London. 8 August 1959. col. G, p. 8.
  71. ↑ "Five Men Lost at Sea". The Times. No. 54547. London. 24 August 1959. col. G, p. 8.
  72. ↑ "Liberty Ships – S". Mariners. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  73. ↑ Sawyer & Mitchell 1985, pp. 49–50.
  74. ↑ Macpherson & Barrie 2002, p. 23.
  75. ↑ "Newington (1110697)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  76. ↑ The Miramar Ship Index has the ship sinking on 22 August.
  77. ↑ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (W)
  78. ↑ "News in Brief". The Times. No. 54554. London. 1 September 1959. col. G, p. 5.
  79. ↑ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (H)
  80. ↑ "Telegrams in Brief". The Times. No. 54559. London. 7 September 1959. col. G, p. 8.
  81. ↑ Mitchell & Sawyer 1990, p. 317.
  82. ↑ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (S)
  83. ↑ "Six Rescued After Schooner Sinks". The Times. No. 54566. London. 15 September 1959. col. G, p. 4.
  84. ↑ "Over 800 Killed by Typhoon". The Times. No. 54577. London. 28 September 1959. col. C, p. 10.
  85. ↑ "Japan Death Toll Now 1,799". The Times. No. 54579. London. 30 September 1959. col. D, p. 10.
  86. ↑ Chernyshev 2012, p. not cited.
  87. ↑ "Telegrams in Brief". The Times. No. 54583. London. 5 October 1959. col. G, p. 8.
  88. ↑ "Arms Vessel Scuttled By Crew". The Times. No. 54595. London. 19 October 1959. col. D, p. 10.
  89. ↑ Sawyer & Mitchell 1985, p. 63.
  90. 1 2 Mitchell & Sawyer 1990, p. 239.
  91. ↑ Howarth 1981, pp. 134–35.
  92. ↑ "Ships in Distress after 104 M.P.H. Gale". The Times. No. 54618. London. 14 November 1959. col. F-G, p. 6.
  93. ↑ "Sea Accidents and Losses". Danish Naval History. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  94. 1 2 3 "British Ship on Fire in Ghent". The Times. No. 54627. London. 24 November 1959. col. A, p. 12.
  95. 1 2 "Telegrams in Brief". The Times. No. 54641. London. 11 December 1959. col. G, p. 11.
  96. ↑ "Braemar Castle Refloated". The Times. No. 54633. London. 2 December 1959. col. E, p. 9.
  97. ↑ "Liner That Grounded Resumes Voyage". The Times. No. 54635. London. 4 December 1959. col. C, p. 11.
  98. ↑ "MFV George Robb (A406)". WreckSite. 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  99. ↑ "MV Servus". WreckSite. 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  100. ↑ "Red Falcon (+1959)". Wrecksite. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  101. ↑ "S. T. Red Falcon LO4". fleetwood-trawlers. 20 October 2025.
  102. ↑ Sawyer & Mitchell 1974, p. 159.
  103. ↑ Sawyer & Mitchell 1974, p. 150.
  104. ↑ "Jamin I (3007243)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  105. ↑ Mitchell & Sawyer 1990, p. 211.
  106. ↑ "Liberty Ships – H". Mariners. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  107. ↑ "Ocean A-T". Mariners List. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  108. ↑ Gray, Randal, ed., Conway′s All the World′s Fighting Ships 1947–1982, Part II: The Warsaw Pact and Non-Aligned Nations, Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1983, ISBN 0-87021-919-7, p. 348.
  109. ↑ shipbuildinghistory.com, Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma WA
  110. ↑ "Roosevelt II". Hunting New England Shipwrecks. Retrieved 24 February 2021.

Sources

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  • Howarth, Patrick (1981). Lifeboat in Danger's Hour. London, New York, Sydney, Toronto: Hamlyn. pp. 134–35. ISBN 0-600-34959-4.
  • Jordan, Roger (1999). The World's Merchant Ships 1939. London: Chatham House. ISBN 1 86176 023 X.
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  • Macpherson, Ken & Barrie, Ron (2002). Warships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910–2002 (Third ed.). St. Catharines: Vanwell Publishing Ltd. p. 23. ISBN 1-55125-072-1.
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