# List of shipwrecks in January 1942

The list of shipwrecks in January 1942 includes all ships sunk, foundered, grounded, or otherwise lost during January 1942.

## 1 January

List of shipwrecks: 1 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Fredanja | Netherlands | The coaster ran aground in the Copeland Islands, County Down, United Kingdom. She was refloated, but capsized and sank. |
| Kentwood | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea off Happisburgh, Norfolk. She was taken in tow by a Royal Navy ship but later sank. Her crew were rescued. |
| Koraltepe | Turkey | World War II: The sailing ship was shelled and sunk in the Black Sea east of Cape Igneada (41°43′N 28°13′E﻿ / ﻿41.717°N 28.217°E﻿ / 41.717; 28.217) by ShCh-214 ( Soviet Navy). |
| Malama | United States | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and damaged in the Pacific Ocean (26°21′S 151°24′W﻿ / ﻿26.350°S 151.400°W﻿ / -26.350; -151.400) by an aircraft from Aikoku Maru ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Her crew then scuttled the ship. Her 38 crew were rescued by Aikoku Maru and Hōkoku Maru ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Malama was on a voyage from Honolulu, Hawaii to Wellington, New Zealand with a cargo of military supplies. |
| Penrhos | United Kingdom | World War II: The coaster struck a mine and sank in Liverpool Bay with the loss of four lives. |
| Porpose | Australia | The lighter was lost off the Norman River, north Queensland. |
| Portmar | Australia | The vessel was lost off the coast of Queensland. |
| Silver Ray | United Kingdom | The sailing ship was lost off Liverpool, Lancashire. |
| Stanley A. Griffiths | United States | The cargo ship ran aground and was wrecked in an unknown location. She was later raised, repaired and entered Swedish service as Frej. |
| Tashkent | Soviet Union | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Feodosia by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of seventeen of her crew. |
| Teiun Maru | Japan | World War II: The government owned transport ship entered a Japanese minefield 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of Santo Tomas, Luzon, Philippines (16°11′N 120°18′E﻿ / ﻿16.183°N 120.300°E﻿ / 16.183; 120.300) and was sunk by a mine. Five troops, two maintenance supervisors of the 5th Air Group, 117 airfield workers and the three Japanese working force supervisors, her commanding officer and Six crewmen were killed. Two Daihatsu landing barges were also lost. |
| Toen Maru | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: The fleet oiler struck a mine southwest of Hong Kong, losing her bow, and was beached. She was refloated, repaired and returned to service. |

## 2 January

For the sinking of the Panamanian cargo ship Ruth Alexander, and the scuttling of the Swedish cargo ship Shantung on this day, see the entry for 25 December 1941.
List of shipwrecks: 2 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Anakan | Philippines | World War II: The coaster was sunk in the Pasig River near Manila by Japanese aircraft. She was later salvaged by the Japanese and put into service as Anan Maru. |
| Bisayas | Philippines | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Manila by Japanese aircraft. She was later raised by the Japanese and put into service as Hishigata Maru. |
| USS Camia | United States Navy | World War II: The 681-class launch/yard ferry was bombed and sunk by Japanese aircraft at the Cavite Naval Base, Manila. |
| HMS Daisy | Royal Navy | The tug foundered in the Mediterranean Sea between Alexandria, Egypt and Tobruk, Libya. |
| USS Dapdap | United States Navy | World War II: The 681-class launch/yard ferry was lost to Japanese action at the Cavite Naval Base. |
| Don José | Philippines | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and damaged in the Pacific Ocean by Japanese aircraft and was beached. She was captured by the Japanese, repaired and put into service as Dosai Maru. |
| F 151 | Kriegsmarine | World War II: The Type A MFP landing craft was thrown by wind against the wreck of Wasserfloh ( Germany) at Ras el Aali, Libya, wounding one of her crew. She was then sunk by a near-miss in a bombing attack that evening. |
| USS Iona | United States Navy | World War II: The yard tug was bombed and sunk at the Cavite Naval Base in a Japanese air raid. |
| Lanau | Philippines | World War II: The hospital ship was bombed and sunk off Cebu by Japanese aircraft. |
| Luzon | United States | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk, or scuttled, at Manila. She was later raised, repaired, and put into Japanese service as Ruson Maru. |
| USS Magdalena | United States Navy | World War II: The 681-class launch/yard ferry was bombed and sunk by Japanese aircraft, probably at Mariveles, Philippines. |
| USS Mercedes | United States Navy | World War II: The yard tug was burned to prevent capture at the Cavite Naval Base. |
| USS Rivera | United States Navy | World War II: The YFB-861-class yard ferry was scuttled at the[Cavite Navy Yard to prevent capture. |
| USS Rosal | United States Navy | World War II: The 681-class launch/yard ferry was lost to Japanese forces. |
| USS Santa Rita | United States Navy | World War II: The YFB-861-class yard ferry was scuttled at the Cavite Navy Yard to prevent capture. |
| SKR-24 Aysberg | Soviet Navy | The guard ship was wrecked at Lumbovsky Island in a storm. |
| Waziristan | United Kingdom | World War II: Convoy PQ 7A: The cargo ship became stranded in ice. She was damaged by Luftwaffe bombing and then torpedoed and sunk by U-134 ( Kriegsmarine) 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) south of Bear Island, Norway (74°09′N 19°10′E﻿ / ﻿74.150°N 19.167°E﻿ / 74.150; 19.167) with the loss of all 47 crew. |
| USS Yacal | United States Navy | World War II: The 681-class launch/yard ferrywas scuttled at the Cavite Navy Yard to prevent capture. |
| USS YO-64 | United States Navy | World War II: The former tug was being converted into a self propelled oil barge when she was destroyed by Japanese action or scuttled. |

## 3 January

For sinking of the British tanker Cardita, see the entry for 31 December, 1941.
List of shipwrecks: 3 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Corfen | United Kingdom | World War II: The collier struck a mine and was damaged in the Thames Estuary. She was on a voyage from Middlesbrough, Yorkshire to London. She was taken in tow but later sank. A crewman died later of wounds. The rest of the crew survived. |
| Langkoeas | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Java Sea north of Bawean, Netherlands East Indies by I-58 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Her crew took to the lifeboats, one of which was rammed by I-58. Other survivors were machine-gunned. Only three of her 94 crew survived. They were rescued by USS Paul Jones ( United States Navy). |
| Meiko Maru | Imperial Japanese Navy | The troopship burned and sank when her cargo of gasoline caught fire off Hainan, China. All on board were rescued by Kashii ( Imperial Japanese Navy). |
| Moji Maru | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: The Moji Maru-class tanker was sunk by a mine south west of Hong Kong. |
| Robert | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea off Lowestoft, Suffolk (52°17′30″N 02°00′00″E﻿ / ﻿52.29167°N 2.00000°E﻿ / 52.29167; 2.00000). She was taken in tow but sank the next day. |

## 4 January

List of shipwrecks: 4 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Krasnyi Kavkaz | Soviet Navy | World War II: The Admiral Nakhimov-class cruiser was bombed and severely damaged off the Kerch Peninsula by Junkers Ju 87 aircraft of Sturzkampfgeschwader 77, Luftwaffe. Repairs took until October to complete. |
| Kwangtung | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Java Sea south of Java, Netherlands East Indies (9°12′S 111°10′E﻿ / ﻿9.200°S 111.167°E﻿ / -9.200; 111.167) by I-156 ( Imperial Japanese Navy), which machine gunned and rammed the lifeboats. There were 35 survivors of the 136 people aboard. |
| Nuovo San Pietro | Regia Marina | World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper, a caïque, was sunk by gunfire in the Ionian Sea west of Cephalonia, Greece (38°07′N 20°20′E﻿ / ﻿38.117°N 20.333°E﻿ / 38.117; 20.333) by HMS Thunderbolt ( Royal Navy). There were one dead, two wounded and two uninjured survivors. |
| SKA-058 | Soviet Navy | World War II: The MO-4-class patrol vessel was sunk at Feodosia by Luftwaffe aircraft. |
| Zyryanin | Soviet Navy | World War II: The transport ship was bombed and sunk at Feodosia by Luftwaffe aircraft. A crewman was killed. |

## 5 January

List of shipwrecks: 5 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Ammiraglio Saint-Bon | Regia Marina | World War II: The submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (38°22′N 15°22′E﻿ / ﻿38.367°N 15.367°E﻿ / 38.367; 15.367) by HMS Upholder ( Royal Navy) with the loss of 57 of her 60 crew. |
| Città di Palermo | Italy | World War II: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Adriatic Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) west of Cape Dukato, Albania by HMS Proteus ( Royal Navy). There were between 400 and 600 dead, and 291 survivors. |
| Cornelia Maersk | Denmark | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Hook of Holland, South Holland, Netherlands during a British air raid. Her crew survived. |
| Nogin | Soviet Union | World War II: The cargo ship was sunk at Feodosia by Luftwaffe aircraft. There were no casualties. |
| TKA-91 | Soviet Navy | World War II: The G-5-class motor torpedo boat was sunk by Luftwaffe aircraft off Eupatoria. At least six people were killed. There were no survivors. |
| Vrzyvatel T-405 | Soviet Navy | World War II: The Project 53-class minesweeper was damaged by Luftwaffe aircraft and later ran aground at Eupatoria. She was destroyed next day by German field artillery. Five of her 25 crew were killed. Nineteen survivors were captured (two later died of their wounds), and one escaped. |

## 6 January

List of shipwrecks: 6 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Baron Erskine | United Kingdom | World War II: Convoy SC 62: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (57°27′N 32°36′W﻿ / ﻿57.450°N 32.600°W﻿ / 57.450; -32.600) by U-701 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 41 crew. A report from U-701 stated there were 34 survivors, but none were seen again. |
| CKA-131 | Soviet Navy | The MO-4-class patrol vessel was sunk at Feodosiya in an air raid by Luftwaffe aircraft. |
| Norwich Trader | United Kingdom | The coaster struck a mine, exploded and sank in the North Sea (51°55′07″N 1°32′05″E﻿ / ﻿51.91861°N 1.53472°E﻿ / 51.91861; 1.53472) with the loss of all six crew and a gunner. |

## 7 January

List of shipwrecks: 7 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Jumièges | France | The cargo liner issued a mayday in the Mediterranean Sea off the Balearic Islands, Spain during a storm. No further trace was found of her and her twenty crew. |
| No. 111 | Soviet Navy | The G-5-class motor torpedo boat was lost on this date. |
| Perla | Italy | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) south of Pantelleria by Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 830 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm. Her 78 crew survived. |
| HNLMS TAN 3 | Royal Netherlands Navy | World War II: The auxiliary tanker was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Bali Sea south east of Kangean Island (07°15′S 116°23′E﻿ / ﻿7.250°S 116.383°E﻿ / -7.250; 116.383) by I-57 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Her crew were rescued by aircraft the next day. |
| Unkai Maru No.1 | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: The Unkai Maru No.1-class auxiliary collier was torpedoed and severely damaged in the Pacific Ocean off Miko (34°27′N 138°59′E﻿ / ﻿34.450°N 138.983°E﻿ / 34.450; 138.983) by USS Pollack ( United States Navy). A crew member was killed, 53 were rescued by Meiten Maru ( Imperial Japanese Navy). The drifting wreck was sunk by a Japanese aircraft four days later. |
| V 5104 Orkan | Kriegsmarine | World War II: Operation Kitbag: The submarine chaser was shelled and damaged by HMS Inglefield and HMS Intrepid (both Royal Navy) and was beached at Florø, Norway. |

## 8 January

List of shipwrecks: 8 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Chapaev | Soviet Union | World War II: The cargo ship was attacked and sunk at Feodosia by Luftwaffe aircraft. |
| USAMP General Richard Arnold | United States Army | World War II: The United States Army mine planter sprang a leak in a storm and sank 20 miles (32 km) south east of the Isles of Shoals. Ten of her crew were killed. Her commanding officer was rescued by USAMP L-88 ( United States Army). |
| Tornator | Finland | The cargo ship was wrecked at Omaezaki, Japan. |
| Van Rees | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Java Sea 80 nautical miles (150 km) south of Tjilatjap, Netherlands East Indies (7°53′S 106°11′E﻿ / ﻿7.883°S 106.183°E﻿ / -7.883; 106.183) by I-56 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Six of her crew were killed. |
| Van Riebeeck | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Indian Ocean (8°11′S 108°47′E﻿ / ﻿8.183°S 108.783°E﻿ / -8.183; 108.783) by I-56 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Thirteen of her crew were killed. Survivors were rescued by HNLMS Willem van der Zaan ( Royal Netherlands Navy). |

## 9 January

List of shipwrecks: 9 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Annie M. Rolf | United States | The fishing barge was wrecked off Long Beach, California. |
| Benkoelen | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Java Sea (4°50′S 112°20′E﻿ / ﻿4.833°S 112.333°E﻿ / -4.833; 112.333) by I-65 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Three of her crew were killed. USS Paul Jones ( United States Navy) rescued the survivors the next day. |
| Camphuijs | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship was shelled, then torpedoed and sunk in the Java Sea west of Bawean Island, Netherlands East Indies (4°40′S 111°47′E﻿ / ﻿4.667°S 111.783°E﻿ / -4.667; 111.783) by I-58 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). |
| Chatyr Dag | Soviet Navy | World War II: The transport ship was bombed and sunk at Feodosia by Luftwaffe aircraft. |
| Lamoricière | France | World War II: The ocean liner foundered in the Mediterranean Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north of Menorca, Spain during a violent storm with the loss of her captain and 291 of the 394 people aboard, while trying to help locate Jumièges ( France). |
| Laura | Denmark | The fishing vessel was destroyed by an explosion in the Baltic Sea. |
| Poul Carl | Denmark | The cargo ship was rammed and sunk in the Øresund. Her crew survived.< |
| Spartakovets | Soviet Navy | World War II: The transport ship was bombed and sunk at Feodosia by Luftwaffe aircraft. |
| Teian Maru | Japan | World War II: The government-owned cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean (35°00′N 140°36′E﻿ / ﻿35.000°N 140.600°E﻿ / 35.000; 140.600) by USS Pollack ( United States Navy) with the loss of nine of her crew. |
| Tunisian | Tunisia | The cargo ship ran aground and was wrecked at Ke et Haman. |
| HMS Vimiera | Royal Navy | World War II: Convoy FS 693: The V-class destroyer truck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary with the loss of 96 of her 110 crew. |

## 10 January

List of shipwrecks: 10 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Akita Maru | Imperial Japanese Army | World War II: The Akita Maru-class auxiliary transport was torpedoed and damaged in the South China Sea at the mouth of the Gulf of Siam (07°35′N 103°13′E﻿ / ﻿7.583°N 103.217°E﻿ / 7.583; 103.217) by HNLMS O 19 ( Royal Netherlands Navy) with the loss of four of her crew. Survivors were rescued by Asakazi, Fubuki, and Hatakaze (all Imperial Japanese Navy). Akita Maru was scuttled by Fubuki, sinking in 253 feet (77 m) of water. |
| Borderdene | United Kingdom | World War II: The coaster struck a mine and sank in the Bristol Channel off Brean Down, Somerset with the loss of all four of her crew. |
| C. J. Barkdull | Panama | World War II: Convoy UGS 3: The cargo ship stragged behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland by U-632 ( Kriegsmarine). |
| Continent | Canada | The 466-gross register ton coaster was rammed in foggy weather by the tanker Byron D. Benson ( United States) and sank off the coast of New Jersey, United States (40°25.662′N 073°50.736′W﻿ / ﻿40.427700°N 73.845600°W﻿ / 40.427700; -73.845600﻿ (Continent)) with a loss of one of her fourteen crew. Continent was on a voyage from New York, United States to a port in the Dominion of Newfoundland. |
| Daylite | Panama | World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine laid by I-124 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) and sank in Manila Bay off Corregidor Island, Philippines. She was raised by the Japanese in 1943 and renamed Gyoshin Maru. |
| Elise Schulte | Germany | The cargo ship ran aground near Tromsø, Norway and sank the next day. Her crew were rescued. |
| Fedora | Italy | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Adriatic Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) south east of Cape Dukato, Albania (38°59′N 19°59′E﻿ / ﻿38.983°N 19.983°E﻿ / 38.983; 19.983) by HMS Thrasher ( Royal Navy). Her 36 crew were rescued. |
| Harbin Maru | Imperial Japanese Army | World War II: The Harbin Maru-class auxiliary transport ship was torpedoed and sunk in the South China Sea 40 miles (64 km) south of Hainan, China (17°40′N 109°20′E﻿ / ﻿17.667°N 109.333°E﻿ / 17.667; 109.333) by USS Stingray ( United States Navy). Two passengers and four of her crew were killed. |
| Kanko Maru | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: The auxiliary gunboat was torpedoed and sunk in the South China Sea by USS Pickerel ( United States Navy). |
| L-6 | Soviet Navy | The Leninets-class submarine ran aground in the Black Sea off Cape Doob. She was on a voyage from Novorossiysk to Poti. She was refloated the next day and towed in to Poti. Repairs took a year to complete. |
| M-175 | Soviet Navy | World War II: The M-class submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the Barents Sea (70°09′N 32°50′E﻿ / ﻿70.150°N 32.833°E﻿ / 70.150; 32.833 by U-584 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 21 crew. |
| Mimona | Norway | World War II: The cargo ship grounded near the Kjølnes Lighthouse, Norway (70°49′N 29°20′E﻿ / ﻿70.817°N 29.333°E﻿ / 70.817; 29.333). On 19 January, K-22 ( Soviet Navy) attacked the grounded ship with torpedoes and gunfire and set her ablaze. She was a total loss. There were no casualties. |
| HMS Queen of Bermuda | Royal Navy | The armed merchant cruiser ran aground at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and was severely damaged. She was refloated the next day, repaired and returned to service. |
| Tairyu Maru | Japan | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the South China Sea at the mouth of the Gulf of Siam (07°35′N 103°13′E﻿ / ﻿7.583°N 103.217°E﻿ / 7.583; 103.217) by HNLMS O 19 ( Royal Netherlands Navy). |
| HNLMS Van Masdijn | Royal Netherlands Navy | World War II: The patrol boat was sunk by a Japanese flying boat off Tarakan Island Netherlands East Indies with the loss of ten of her 55 crew. |

## 11 January

For sinking of the American tanker Manatawny on this date, see the entry for 12 December 1941.
List of shipwrecks: 11 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| City of Pittsburgh | United Kingdom | The cargo ship ran aground at Alexandria, Egypt and broke her back, a total loss. |
| USAT Clevedon | United States Army | The cargo ship suffered an engine room fire at the Army pier at Yakutat, Territory of Alaska. She was towed to sea where she sank about one mile (1.6 km) offshore without casualties. |
| USAT Liberty | United States Army | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Lombok Strait (8°54′S 115°28′E﻿ / ﻿8.900°S 115.467°E﻿ / -8.900; 115.467) by I-166 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). She was taken in tow by USS Paul Jones ( United States Navy) and HNLMS Van Ghent ( Royal Netherlands Navy) and beached at Tulamben, Netherlands East Indies. There were no casualties. She remained there for 21 years but sank in 1963 following the eruption of Mount Agung. |
| HNLMS Prins van Oranje | Royal Netherlands Navy | World War II: The Prins van Oranje-class minelayer was shelled and sunk off Tarakan Island, Netherlands East Indies by the destroyer Yamakaze and patrol vessel Patrol Boat 38 (both Imperial Japanese Navy). Only sixteen of her 118 crew were rescued. |
| R 42 | Kriegsmarine | The minesweeper struck a submerged wreck and sank in the English Channel off Ambleteuse, Pas-de-Calais, France. |
| Wulin | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Muar River, Malaya by Japanese aircraft. A crew member was killed. She was later salvaged and entered Japanese service as Unryu Maru. |

## 12 January

List of shipwrecks: 12 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Caledonian Monarch | United Kingdom | World War II: Convoy SC 63: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by U-333 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 41 lives. |
| Cyclops | United Kingdom | World War II: Operation Paukenschlag: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (41°51′N 63°48′W﻿ / ﻿41.850°N 63.800°W﻿ / 41.850; -63.800) by U-123 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 87 of the 182 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by HMCS Red Deer ( Royal Canadian Navy). |
| Empire Parsons | United Kingdom | The cargo ship ran aground at Stroma, in the Pentland Firth (58°41′N 3°06′W﻿ / ﻿58.683°N 3.100°W﻿ / 58.683; -3.100). Her 52 crew were rescued by the Stroma Lifesaving Association using a breeches buoy. The ship was driven further ashore and rapidly became a total loss. |
| Frisco | Norway | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Canso, Nova Scotia, Canada (44°50′N 60°20′W﻿ / ﻿44.833°N 60.333°W﻿ / 44.833; -60.333) by U-130 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of thirteen of her nineteen crew. Survivors were rescued by Mjoanes ( Faroe Islands). |
| Quickstep | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (51°46′N 1°26′E﻿ / ﻿51.767°N 1.433°E﻿ / 51.767; 1.433) with the loss of twelve of her 28 crew. |
| Toboali | Netherlands | World War II: The coaster was bombed and sunk at Bagan Siapi, Netherlands East Indies by Japanese aircraft. In 1944 she was salvaged, repaired and entered Japanese service as Aki Maru. |
| Turkheim | Kriegsmarine | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of Norway by the S-102 ( Soviet Navy). |
| U-374 | Kriegsmarine | World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Cape Spartivento, Italy (37°50′N 16°00′E﻿ / ﻿37.833°N 16.000°E﻿ / 37.833; 16.000) by HMS Unbeaten ( Royal Navy) with the loss of 42 of her 43 crew. |
| W-13, and W-14 | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: The W-13-class minesweepers were sunk by Dutch 4.7-inch shore batteries off Tarakan Island, Netherlands East Indies. From their crews there were 157 dead and 53 survivors. In reprisal, the Japanese executed 215 men of the gun crews on 18 January. |
| Yngaren | Sweden | World War II: Convoy HX 168: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 57°N 26°W﻿ / ﻿57°N 26°W﻿ / 57; -26) by U-43 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 38 of her 40 crew. Survivors were rescued by a British fishing trawler. |

## 13 January

List of shipwrecks: 13 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Brazos | United States | The cargo ship collided with HMS Archer ( Royal Navy) off Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Brazos sank the next day as a result of damage sustained. Her 35 crew were rescued by HMS Archer. |
| Empire Masefield | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and severely damaged in the North Sea (54°22′N 0°19′W﻿ / ﻿54.367°N 0.317°W﻿ / 54.367; -0.317) by Luftwaffe aircraft and was beached at Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. One gunner was killed. She was refloated the next day with the assistance of five tugs, which included Acklam Cross, Euston Cross and Lingdale (all ( United Kingdom). Empire Masefield was repaired and returned to service. |
| Friar Rock | Panama | World War II: Convoy SC 64: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) south east of Cape Race, Newfoundland (45°30′N 50°40′W﻿ / ﻿45.500°N 50.667°W﻿ / 45.500; -50.667) by U-130 ( Kriegsmarine). with the loss of 31 of her 37 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Montgomery ( Royal Navy). |
| Lerwick | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the North Sea (54°26′N 0°24′W﻿ / ﻿54.433°N 0.400°W﻿ / 54.433; -0.400) by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of five of her 44 crew. |

## 14 January

List of shipwrecks: 14 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Acklam Cross, and Euston Cross | United Kingdom | The tugs ran aground on the North Gar Sands, off the mouth of the River Tees whilst attempting to refloat Empire Masefield ( United Kingdom). They were both refloated. |
| Bataysk | Soviet Union | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk by Luftwaffe aircraft in the port of Kerch with the loss of three lives. |
| Chepo | Panama | World War II: Convoy ON 55: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 230 nautical miles (430 km) west of Rockall, Inverness-shire, United Kingdom (58°30′N 19°40′W﻿ / ﻿58.500°N 19.667°W﻿ / 58.500; -19.667) by U-43 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of seventeen of her 38 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Sunflower ( Royal Navy). |
| Dupoco II | United States | The motorboat was destroyed by fire at Juneau, Territory of Alaska. |
| Empire Surf | United Kingdom | World War II: Convoy ON 55: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south east of the Faroe Islands (58°42′N 19°16′W﻿ / ﻿58.700°N 19.267°W﻿ / 58.700; -19.267) by U-43 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 47 of her 53 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Alisma ( Royal Navy)."Empire Surf". Uboat. Retrieved 13 February 2012.</ref> |
| Falavee | United Kingdom | The cargo ship ran aground and was wrecked off the entrance to Carlingford Lough. |
| Mercia | United Kingdom | World War II: The tug struck a mine and sank in the Bristol Channel (51°31′21″N 2°46′44″W﻿ / ﻿51.52250°N 2.77889°W﻿ / 51.52250; -2.77889) with the loss of all four hands. |
| Norness | Panama | World War II: Carrying a cargo of fuel oil, the tanker was torpedoed and sunk in 284 feet (87 m) of water in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km; 69 mi) southeast of Block Island off the coast of Rhode Island, United States at either 40°28′N 70°50′W﻿ / ﻿40.467°N 70.833°W﻿ / 40.467; -70.833﻿ (Norness) or 40°26′25″N 070°51′00″W﻿ / ﻿40.44028°N 70.85000°W﻿ / 40.44028; -70.85000﻿ (Norness) (according to different sources) by the submarine U-123 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of either one of her 31 crew or two of her 40 crew (according to different sources). She was the first ship sunk by a German submarine off the United States East Coast during World War II. Survivors were rescued by the cutter USCGC Argo ( United States Coast Guard), the destroyer USS Ellyson ( United States Navy), and the fishing vessel Malvina ( United States). |
| TKA-44 | Soviet Navy | The G-5-class motor torpedo boat was wrecked after being thrown ashore by a storm while being towed to Novorossiysk. |
| Turkheim | Germany | World War II: The cargo ship (1,904t) was torpedoed and sunk in the Syltefjorden by S-102 ( Soviet Navy). Two crew were killed. |
| 11 V 1 | Kriegsmarine | World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper struck a mine laid on 11 January by HMS Porpoise ( Royal Navy) and sank off Suda Bay, Crete, Greece, with the loss of three of her 21 crew. |

## 15 January

List of shipwrecks: 15 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Begochu | Spain | The cargo ship ran aground and was wrecked outside of Leixoes, Portugal. |
| Catalina | Portugal | World War II:fishing trawler, a former Kil-class gunboat, was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 47°N 52°W﻿ / ﻿47°N 52°W﻿ / 47; -52) by U-203 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all eighteen hands. |
| Coimbra | United Kingdom | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (40°25′N 72°21′W﻿ / ﻿40.417°N 72.350°W﻿ / 40.417; -72.350) by U-123 ( Kriegsmarine) in 190 feet (58 m) of water with the loss of 36 of her 46 crew. Survivors were rescued by USS Rowan and another destroyer (both United States Navy). |
| Coyhaique | Chile | The cargo ship was wrecked at Puerto Aysen. |
| Dayrose | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (46°32′N 53°00′W﻿ / ﻿46.533°N 53.000°W﻿ / 46.533; -53.000) off the coast of the Dominion of Newfoundland by U-552 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 38 of her 48 crew. Survivors were rescued by USS Ericsson and USS Stack (both United States Navy). |
| Diala | United Kingdom | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km) east south east of Cape Race, Dominion of Newfoundland (44°50′N 46°50′W﻿ / ﻿44.833°N 46.833°W﻿ / 44.833; -46.833) by U-553 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 57 of her 65 crew. Survivors abandoned ship on 20 January and were rescued by Telesfora de Larrinaga ( United Kingdom). On 22 January, the wreck was boarded by eight survivors from Athelcrown ( United Kingdom). They were rescued on 28 January by Saturnus ( Sweden). Diala was discovered still afloat on 21 February and an attempt was made to take her in tow by a Royal Navy ship. The tow parted on 26 February and she was again left adrift. She was torpedoed and sunk on 23 March by U-587 ( Kriegsmarine). |
| Empire Bay | United Kingdom | World War II: The collier was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Middlesbrough, Yorkshire (54°41′08″N 1°08′36″W﻿ / ﻿54.68556°N 1.14333°W﻿ / 54.68556; -1.14333) by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was on a voyage from Hartlepool, County Durham to London. |
| Empire Homer | United Kingdom | The cargo ship ran aground on Sandray, Outer Hebrides and broke in two, a total loss. |
| F 148 | Kriegsmarine | World War II: The MFP-A landing craft was sunk by an explosion off Tripoli, Libya. Her fourteen crew were rescued, twelve of them were wounded. |
| Gorecht | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank three nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) west of Burnham Lighthouse, Somerset, United Kingdom. Seven of her crew were killed. |
| IV II | Kriegsmarine | World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper struck a mine and sank in Suda Bay. |
| Jalarajan | India | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean (0°12′S 97°00′E﻿ / ﻿0.200°S 97.000°E﻿ / -0.200; 97.000) by I-65 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) with the loss of four of her 78 crew. |
| Laristan | United Kingdom | The tanker ran aground on Tiree, Inner Hebrides. She was refloated but declared a constructive total loss. She was later repaired and returned to service as Empire Gulf. |
| Nordale | United Kingdom | The fishing trawler struck the Carskey Rocks on tip of Kintyre two miles (3.2 km) south west of Borgadelmore Point, in the Mull of Kintyre, Argyllshire and was wrecked with the loss of five of her fourteen crew. |
| Ocean Tide | United Kingdom | The fishing trawler ran aground and was wrecked at Mammal, Tiree, Inner Hebrides. |
| Quickthorn | United Kingdom | The cargo ship capsized and sank in heavy weather near Skokholm Island, off Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. |
| R. J. Cullen | Canada | The cargo shi ran aground on Leanish Point, Barra, Outer Hebrides (56°57′23″N 7°25′18″W﻿ / ﻿56.95639°N 7.42167°W﻿ / 56.95639; -7.42167) in a gale. Her crew were rescued by St. Margaret ( United Kingdom) on 17 January. |
| U-93 | Kriegsmarine | World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was shelled, rammed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north east of Madeira, Portugal (36°10′N 15°25′W﻿ / ﻿36.167°N 15.417°W﻿ / 36.167; -15.417) by HMS Hesperus ( Royal Navy) with the loss of six of her 46 crew. Survivors were taken as prisoners of war. |
| U-577 | Kriegsmarine | World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north west of Mersa Matruh, Egypt (32°40′N 25°48′E﻿ / ﻿32.667°N 25.800°E﻿ / 32.667; 25.800) by Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 815 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm with the loss of all 43 crew. |
| Vestland | Norway | The cargo ship ran aground at Hvalfjord, Iceland and was damaged. She was refloated on 16 March and towed to Reykjavík. Departed under tow on 21 October for repairs at a Tyneside shipyard, but foundered in the Atlantic Ocean (50°15′N 11°30′W﻿ / ﻿50.250°N 11.500°W﻿ / 50.250; -11.500) on 24 October. |

## 16 January

List of shipwrecks: 16 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Empire Chief | United Kingdom | The tanker ran aground off Reykjavík, Iceland. She was refloated in March 1942, repaired and returned to service. |
| HS-1 | Kriegsmarine | World War II: The tug was sunk by aircraft off Rouen, Seine-Inférieure, France. |
| HMT Irvana | Royal Navy | World War II: The minesweeping naval trawler was sunk by aircraft in the North Sea off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Her crew were rescued. |
| Jean Jaures | Soviet Union | World War II: The cargo ship was sunk by a mine in the Gulf of Feodosia with the loss of 40 lives. |
| Senang | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank off Singapore (1°15′N 104°05′E﻿ / ﻿1.250°N 104.083°E﻿ / 1.250; 104.083) with the loss of 54 of her 93 crew. |
| Taishu Maru | Japan | The cargo ship ran aground and was wrecked off Okushiri Island, Hokkaido. |
| Wigry | Poland | The cargo ship suffered a boiler explosion in a gale, the gale drove her onto rocks off the south west coast of Iceland with the loss of 25 of he 27 crew. |

## 17 January

List of shipwrecks: 17 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Enisej | Soviet Navy | World War II: Convoy PQ 8: The naval trawler was torpedoed and damaged in the Arctic Sea (68°41′N 38°58′E﻿ / ﻿68.683°N 38.967°E﻿ / 68.683; 38.967) by U-454 ( Kriegsmarine). The ship broke in two, with the bow section sinking. There were two dead and 32 survivors. |
| Fukusei Maru | Japan | The cargo ship ran aground and was wrecked off the Yangtze River Estuary. |
| HMS Gurkha | Royal Navy | World War II: Convoy MW 8B: The L-class destroyer was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea off Sidi Barrani, Egypt (31°50′N 26°15′E﻿ / ﻿31.833°N 26.250°E﻿ / 31.833; 26.250) by U-133 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of nine of her 282 crew. She was taken in tow by HNLMS Isaac Sweers ( Royal Netherlands Navy) but later sank. HNLMS Isaac Sweers rescued the survivors. |
| I-60 | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: The Kaidai IIIa/b type submarine was depth charged and forced to the surface and sunk in the Sunda Strait off Krakatoa, Netherlands East Indies (6°19′30″S 104°49′20″E﻿ / ﻿6.32500°S 104.82222°E﻿ / -6.32500; 104.82222) in a running gun battle with HMS Jupiter ( Royal Navy) with the loss of 84 of her crew. Only three men were rescued and taken prisoner of war, one of whom later died. |
| Kolkhoznik | Soviet Union | The cargo ship ran aground and was wrecked off the Sambro Island Lighthouse, Nova Scotia, Canada with the loss of two lives. |
| HMS Matabele | Royal Navy | World War II: Convoy PQ 8: The Tribal-class destroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the Arctic Ocean (69°21′N 35°34′E﻿ / ﻿69.350°N 35.567°E﻿ / 69.350; 35.567) by U-454 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 236 of her 238 crew. |
| HMS MTB 47 | Royal Navy | World War II: The White 73-foot-class motor torpedo boat was sunk by enemy action in the English Channel off Cap Gris Nez, Pas-de-Calais, France. Her crew were taken as prisoners of war. |
| RFA Nyholt | Royal Fleet Auxiliary | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Dominion of Newfoundland (45°46′N 54°18′W﻿ / ﻿45.767°N 54.300°W﻿ / 45.767; -54.300) by U-87 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of twenty of the 40 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by HMCS St. Clair ( Royal Canadian Navy). |
| Octavian | Norway | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Nova Scotia (approximately 45°N 60°W﻿ / ﻿45°N 60°W﻿ / 45; -60)by U-203 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all seventeen crew. |
| Rampino | Italy | World War II: The salvage ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Pantelleria (35°59′N 10°45′E﻿ / ﻿35.983°N 10.750°E﻿ / 35.983; 10.750) by HMS Umbra ( Royal Navy) with the loss of fourteen of her fifteen crew. The survivor was rescued by HMS Umbra. |
| San José | United States | The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (39°15′N 74°09′W﻿ / ﻿39.250°N 74.150°W﻿ / 39.250; -74.150) in a collision with Santa Elisa ( United States). Her crew were rescued. Santa Elisa was towed to New York and repaired. |

## 18 January

List of shipwrecks: 18 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Allan Jackson | United States | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (35°37′N 74°20′W﻿ / ﻿35.617°N 74.333°W﻿ / 35.617; -74.333 by U-66 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 22 of her 35 crew. Survivors were rescued by USS Roe ( United States Navy). |
| Charlwood | United Kingdom | World War II: Convoy FN 886: The cargo ship collided with Lyng ( Norway) and sank in the North Sea off the mouth of the River Tyne. |
| Città di Livorno | Italy | World War II: The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north of Crete, Greece (35°42′N 24°24′E﻿ / ﻿35.700°N 24.400°E﻿ / 35.700; 24.400) by HMS Porpoise ( Royal Navy). There were eight dead and 464 survivors. |
| Dimitrios G. Thermiotis | Greece | World War II: Convoy SC 53: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (47°30′N 52°20′W﻿ / ﻿47.500°N 52.333°W﻿ / 47.500; -52.333) by U-86 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 33 crew. |
| Eizan Maru | Japan | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Kii Channel (30°00′N 135°00′E﻿ / ﻿30.000°N 135.000°E﻿ / 30.000; 135.000) by USS Plunger ( United States Navy). |
| Empire Kingfisher | United Kingdom | The cargo ship struck a submerged object 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada and was holed. She sank the next day. There were no casualties. |
| HMT Erin | Royal Navy | World War II: The naval trawler was sunk at Gibraltar by a bomb planted by a Spanish agent of the Abwehr. Four men were killed. |
| Frances Salman | United States | World War II: The Design 1099 ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Race, Dominion of Newfoundland (46°33′N 53°05′W﻿ / ﻿46.550°N 53.083°W﻿ / 46.550; -53.083), by U-552 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 28 crew. |
| Hai-Kan No. 6 | Imperial Japanese Navy | The decommissioned Kasuga-class armored cruiser was sunk as a gunnery target in the Inland Sea of Japan off Kurahashi, Hiroshima, by the battleship Yamato ( Imperial Japanese Navy). |
| HMT Honjo | Royal Navy | World War II: The naval trawler was damaged beyond repair at Gibraltar by the explosion of the bomb planted on HMT Erin ( Royal Navy) by a Spanish agent of the Abwehr. She was never repaired. Two of her crew were killed. |
| Luzon | Philippines | World War II: The United States Army-requisitioned cargo ship was bombed and strafed by Japanese aircraft at Cebu City and was beached to prevent sinking. She was declared a constructive total loss. She was later salvaged and put in Japanese service as Luzon Maru. |

## 19 January

List of shipwrecks: 19 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Cape Sable | United Kingdom | The cargo ship sank south of the Bantam Rocks. |
| Ciltvaira | Latvia | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of the United States (35°25′N 75°23′W﻿ / ﻿35.417°N 75.383°W﻿ / 35.417; -75.383) by U-123 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of two of her 31 crew. Survivors were rescued by Socony-Vacuum ( United States). Nine of her crew later reboarded her and she was taken in tow by Bury ( Brazil) but the tow was later abandoned and the skeleton crew were taken aboard Bury. Ciltvaira was then taken in tow by USS Sciota ( United States Navy) but later foundered at 34°58′N 75°10′W﻿ / ﻿34.967°N 75.167°W﻿ / 34.967; -75.167. More: Latvian Mercantile Marine during World War II |
| City of Atlanta | United States | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of the United States (35°42′N 75°21′W﻿ / ﻿35.700°N 75.350°W﻿ / 35.700; -75.350) by U-123 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 44 of her 47 crew. Survivors were rescued by the train ferry Seatrain Texas ( United States). |
| Eugenie S. Embiricos | Greece | The cargo ship ran aground at Leanish Point, Barra, Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom (56°57′N 7°25′W﻿ / ﻿56.950°N 7.417°W﻿ / 56.950; -7.417) and sank. There were no casualties. |
| Floristan | United Kingdom | World War II: Convoy OS 17: The cargo ship was wrecked in a gale and rain six miles (9.7 km) north of the Orsay Lighthouse at Kilchiaran Bay (55°48′08″N 6°28′15″W﻿ / ﻿55.80222°N 6.47083°W﻿ / 55.80222; -6.47083). She broke in two the next day and was declared a total loss. All on board made it to shore in her lifeboats. |
| H. K. Daniels | United Kingdom | World War II: The steamboat, or sailing bargE, struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (51°28′12″N 0°52′42″E﻿ / ﻿51.47000°N 0.87833°E﻿ / 51.47000; 0.87833). Both crew were rescued. |
| Ingrid | Norway | Convoy ON 57: The cargo ship ran aground and was wrecked at Grean, Tiree, Outer Hebrides (56°32′04″N 6°56′00″W﻿ / ﻿56.53444°N 6.93333°W﻿ / 56.53444; -6.93333) in heavy weather. Her 26 crew all survived. |
| RMS Lady Hawkins | Canada | World War II: The ocean liner was torpedoed and sunk between Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, United States and Bermuda (35°00′N 72°30′W﻿ / ﻿35.000°N 72.500°W﻿ / 35.000; -72.500) by U-66 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 251 of the 322 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by USAT Coamo ( United States) on 27 January. |
| Mobeka | Belgium | World War II: Convoy OS 17: The cargo ship ran aground at Carskey Point, Mull of Kintyre, Argyllshire, United Kingdom (55°13′N 6°02′W﻿ / ﻿55.217°N 6.033°W﻿ / 55.217; -6.033). Salvage was abandoned in April 1942 and she was declared a total loss. |
| Norvana | United States | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras (36°07′N 75°23′W﻿ / ﻿36.117°N 75.383°W﻿ / 36.117; -75.383), by U-123 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 29 crew. |
| USS PT-31 | United States Navy | World War II: The ELCO 77'-class PT boat ran aground in Subic Bay (14°45′N 120°13′E﻿ / ﻿14.750°N 120.217°E﻿ / 14.750; 120.217) and was scuttled by burning the next day. |
| HMT Rosemonde | Royal Navy | World War II: The naval trawler was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north east of the Azores, Portugal by U-581 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 25 crew. |
| San Giovanni Battista | Italy | World War II: The ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea (33°47′N 12°17′E﻿ / ﻿33.783°N 12.283°E﻿ / 33.783; 12.283) by British aircraft. She was taken in tow, but came ashore 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) west of Tagiura, Libya on 2 February after the towline broke. She was refloated and towed in to Tripoli, Libya. |
| Sørøy | Norway | World War II: The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea off the Sværholt Peninsula by K-23 ( Soviet Navy) with the loss of two of her crew. |
| Thermopylæ | Norway | World War II: Convoy MW 8A: The troopship was bombed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea (34°03′N 24°14′E﻿ / ﻿34.050°N 24.233°E﻿ / 34.050; 24.233) by a Junkers Ju 88 aircraft of the Luftwaffe with the loss of 33 of the 374 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by HMS Havock ( Royal Navy), which scuttled Thermopylæ. |
| Vaaland | Norway | World War II: The fishing cutter was shelled and sunk off Berlevåg by K-22 ( Soviet Navy) with the loss of a crew member. |
| Van Imhoff | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Indian Ocean south of Java, Netherlands East Indies by Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft. The ship was carrying 478 German civilian internees, who, forced at gunpoint to remain on the ship, perished almost completely. The few survivors were intentionally denied rescue and assistance by the Dutch; only a few managed to reach nearby islands. |

## 20 January

List of shipwrecks: 20 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Amathus | United Kingdom | The cargo ship ran aground and was wrecked at the entrance to Lattakia harbour, Levant States. |
| Banshu Maru No. 52 | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper was sunk by mines in Subic Bay (14°45′N 120°17′E﻿ / ﻿14.750°N 120.283°E﻿ / 14.750; 120.283). Survivors were rescued by Aso Maru, Nampo Maru, and Kiso Maru (all Imperial Japanese Navy). |
| Eidsvold | Norway | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean at Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island, Australia by I-59 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Her crew were rescued. |
| Herstein | Norway | World War II: Battle of Rabaul: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Rabaul, Papua New Guinea by Japanese aircraft with the loss of a crew member. |
| I-124 | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: The I-121-class submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Beagle Gulf 40 miles (64 km) west of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (12°7′S 130°06′E﻿ / ﻿12.117°S 130.100°E﻿ / -12.117; 130.100) by HMAS Deloraine ( Royal Australian Navy) with the loss of 80 of her crew. |
| Karanan | Netherlands | The coastal cargo ship was sunk in the Belfast Lough in a collision with British Engineer ( United Kingdom). |
| Markkyn | United Kingdom | The cargo ship (3,229 GRT, 1918) ran aground at Port Logan, Wigtownshire. She was refloated on 5 June, repaired and re-entered service as Empire Usk. |
| Maro | Greece | World War II: Convoy ON 53: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by U-552 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 29 hands. |
| USS S-36 | United States Navy | World War II: The S-class submarine ran aground on the Taka Bakang Reef in the Makassar Strait, Netherlands East Indies. She was scuttled due to damage sustained and to prevent capture by enemy forces. Her crew were rescued by the motor launch Attla ( Netherlands). |
| Tobelo | Netherlands | The cargo liner was bombed and sunk at Kupang, Dutch Timor. She was later raised and repaired and put in Japanese service as Tobi Maru. |
| Westralia | Australia | World War II: Battle of Rabaul: The coal hulk was bombed and sunk by Japanese aircraft at Simpson Harbour, New Britain. |

## 21 January

List of shipwrecks: 21 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Alexandra Høegh | Norway | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Nova Scotia, Canada (40°53′N 65°56′W﻿ / ﻿40.883°N 65.933°W﻿ / 40.883; -65.933) by U-130 ( Kriegsmarine). Her 28 crew were rescued by the fishing trawler Grand Marshall ( United States). |
| Asiatic | United Kingdom | The cargo ship ran aground at Tara, County Down and was abandoned. She was refloated on 2 April but declared a constructive total loss. Asiatic was repaired and re-entered service in 1943 as Empire Torridge. |
| Belize | Norway | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (47°21′N 52°08′W﻿ / ﻿47.350°N 52.133°W﻿ / 47.350; -52.133) off the coast of the Dominion of Newfoundland by U-754 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 24 crew. |
| Chak Sang | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Bengal, south west of Bassein, Burma (15°42′N 95°02′E﻿ / ﻿15.700°N 95.033°E﻿ / 15.700; 95.033) by I-66 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) with the loss of five of her 66 crew. |
| Ingoy | Norway | World War II:The fishing trawler was shelled and sunk by K-21 ( Soviet Navy). |
| HMT Loch Garry | Royal Navy | The boom defence vessel ran aground off Torr Head, County Antrim and sank in a gale with rain and snow. |
| Nord | Panama | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Andaman Sea, in the Preparis North Channel (15°28′N 94°36′E﻿ / ﻿15.467°N 94.600°E﻿ / 15.467; 94.600) by I-66 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Her crew survived. |
| HMS Raub | Royal Navy | World War II: The patrol boat was bombed and sunk at Belawan, Netherlands East Indies by Japanese aircraft. |
| Walter Ohlrogge | Germany | World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank off the coast of Norway. |
| William Hanbury | United Kingdom | The fishing trawler was wrecked in a gale on St. Anne’s Head, Isle of Man. |
| William Hansen | Norway | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Dominion of Newfoundland (46°56′N 52°47′W﻿ / ﻿46.933°N 52.783°W﻿ / 46.933; -52.783) by U-754 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of ten of her nineteen crew. Survivors were rescued by HMCS Algoma ( Royal Canadian Navy). |
| Zannis L. Cambanis | Greece | World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Strait of Malacca 1°15′N 104°31′E﻿ / ﻿1.250°N 104.517°E﻿ / 1.250; 104.517) with the loss of three of her crew. |

## 22 January

List of shipwrecks: 22 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Athelcrown | United Kingdom | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (45°06′N 40°56′W﻿ / ﻿45.100°N 40.933°W﻿ / 45.100; -40.933) by U-82 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of her 55 crew. Survivors were rescued by Argos Hill ( United Kingdom), Saturnus ( Sweden) and a Royal Navy ship. |
| Boyky | Soviet Navy | The Gnevny-class destroyer was driven into the submarine Shch-214 ( Soviet Navy) and damaged at Tuapse. |
| Caledonian Monarch | United Kingdom | World War II: Convoy SC 63: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (58°39′N 7°36′W﻿ / ﻿58.650°N 7.600°W﻿ / 58.650; -7.600) north west of Scotland by U-588 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 48 crew. |
| City of Marseilles | United Kingdom | The cargo liner was driven ashore near Batticaloa, Ceylon. She was refloated. |
| Gandia | Belgium | World War II: Convoy ON 56: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 45°N 41°W﻿ / ﻿45°N 41°W﻿ / 45; -41) by U-135 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 64 of her 79 crew. Only seven of eighteen survivors in lifeboat No. 2 were still alive when rescued by USS Bernadou ( United States Navy) two weeks later, and only four of 28 in lifeboat No. 4 when rescued after 26 days by the fishing vessel João Corte Real ( Portugal). |
| Innerøy | Norway | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (42°30′N 59°54′W﻿ / ﻿42.500°N 59.900°W﻿ / 42.500; -59.900) by U-553 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 31 of her 36 crew. Survivors were rescued by Empire Amethyst ( United Kingdom). |
| Komsomelets | Soviet Navy | The minesweeper was driven ashore at Tuapse. |
| Lemantang | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Belawan, Netherlands East Indies by Japanese aircraft. |
| Molotov | Soviet Navy | The Kirov-class cruiser was driven against the quayside and damaged at Tuapse with the loss of a crew member. |
| Olympic | Panama | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (36°03′N 75°18′W﻿ / ﻿36.050°N 75.300°W﻿ / 36.050; -75.300) by U-66 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 35 crew. |
| Republic | United States | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) east of Hobe Sound, Florida by U-504 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of her 34 crew. |
| Shch-214 | Soviet Navy | The Shchuka-class submarine was damaged at Tuapse when she was crushed against the quayside by Boyky ( Soviet Navy). |
| SKA-055 | Soviet Navy | The patrol boat capsized at Tuapse. She was righted and then drove ashore. Fourteen of her 21 crew were lost. |
| TSCH-250 | Soviet Navy | The minesweeper was driven ashore and wrecked at Tuapse. |
| Van Overstraten | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship was torpoedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean (1°40′N 90°30′E﻿ / ﻿1.667°N 90.500°E﻿ / 1.667; 90.500) by I-64 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Four of her crew were killed. There were 113 survivors. |
| Vassilos A. Polemis | Greece | World War II: Convoy ON 53: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (42°32′N 52°38′W﻿ / ﻿42.533°N 52.633°W﻿ / 42.533; -52.633) by U-333 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 21 of her 33 crew. |
| Victoria | Italy | World War II: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (33°40′N 17°45′E﻿ / ﻿33.667°N 17.750°E﻿ / 33.667; 17.750) by a Fairey Albacore aircraft of 826 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm with the loss of 391 of the 1,455 people aboard. She was carrying the XXXVI Battalion of the 12th Bersaglieri Regiment and LI Tank Battalion M14/41 on a voyage from Taranto to Tripoli, Libya. |
| Unnamed | Soviet Union | The barge was driven ashore at Tuapse. |

## 23 January

List of shipwrecks: 23 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Fukuyo Maru | Japan | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the South China Sea by USS Seadragon ( United States Navy). Fukuyo Maru was beached on the northern coast of French Indochina (12°00′N 109°00′E﻿ / ﻿12.000°N 109.000°E﻿ / 12.000; 109.000) and was later repaired. |
| Heim | Norway | The coaster ran aground in Hjeltefjorden. She broke in two and sank. Her crew survived. |
| HMS Larut | Royal Navy | World War II: The patrol vessel was bombed and sunk at Sabang, Netherlands East Indies by Japanese aircraft. Her crew were rescued. |
| Leiesten | Norway | World War II: Convoy ON 56: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (45°27′N 43°19′W﻿ / ﻿45.450°N 43.317°W﻿ / 45.450; -43.317) by U-82 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of six of her 36 crew. Survivors were rescued by Agios Georgios ( Greece). |
| Manx Admiral | United Kingdom | The fishing trawler stranded on the north-east coast of Iceland and was abandoned. |
| Nana Maru | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: Battle of Balikpapan: The Seia Maru-class transport ship was bombed in the Makassar Strait east of Bontang, Netherlands East Indies by Martin 139 aircraft of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force. She exploded and sank (00°18′N 117°43′E﻿ / ﻿0.300°N 117.717°E﻿ / 0.300; 117.717). |
| Navemar | Spain | World War II: The cargo liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Portugal by Barbarigo ( Regia Marina) with the loss of two of her 36 crew. Survivors were rescued by Isla de Tenerife ( Spain). |
| USS Neches | United States Navy | World War II: The oiler was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean 120 nautical miles (220 km) west of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (21°01′N 160°06′W﻿ / ﻿21.017°N 160.100°W﻿ / 21.017; -160.100) by I-72 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) with the loss of 57 of her 183 crew. Survivors were rescued by USS Jarvis ( United States Navy). |
| Star of Scotland | United States | The fishing barge/party ship, a former Royal Navy Flower-class sloop, sprung leaks in a storm and sank in Santa Monica Bay, California 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off the Santa Monica Pier with the loss of one of her five crewm. |
| Tai Sang | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship struck a Dutch mine and sank off Singapore (00°55′N 103°35′E﻿ / ﻿0.917°N 103.583°E﻿ / 0.917; 103.583). Of a crew of 31 and four passengers, only two survived to become prisoners of war. |
| Thirlby | United Kingdom | World War II: Convoy SC 66: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (43°20′N 66°15′W﻿ / ﻿43.333°N 66.250°W﻿ / 43.333; -66.250) by U-109 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of five of the 46 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by Belle Isle ( United States). |
| Tiqva | Palestine | The cargo ship foundered in a gale near Ras el Fasori, Levant States. She was on a voyage from Iskenderun, Turkey to Port Said, Egypt with a cargo of chrome ore, poppy seed and tobacco. |

## 24 January

List of shipwrecks: 24 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Empire Gem | United Kingdom | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean (35°06′N 74°58′W﻿ / ﻿35.100°N 74.967°W﻿ / 35.100; -74.967) by U-66 ( Kriegsmarine). She broke in two, with the bow section sinking. The stern section was taken in tow but sank at 35°02′N 75°33′W﻿ / ﻿35.033°N 75.550°W﻿ / 35.033; -75.550. forty-nine of her 51 crew were lost. Both survivors were rescued by a United States Coast Guard ship. |
| Empire Wildebeeste | United Kingdom | World War II: Convoy SC 100: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (39°30′N 59°54′W﻿ / ﻿39.500°N 59.900°W﻿ / 39.500; -59.900) by U-106 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of nine of her 31 crew. Survivors were rescued by USS Lang ( United States Navy). |
| Jukka Maru | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: Battle of Balikpapan: The transport ship was bombed and sunk by Martin 139 aircraft of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force. |
| Kuretake Maru | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: Battle of Balikpapan: Balikpapan Invasion Force convoy: The Kuratake Maru-class troopship was torpedoed, shelled, and sunk in the South China Sea (0°10′N 118°00′E﻿ / ﻿0.167°N 118.000°E﻿ / 0.167; 118.000) by USS John D. Ford ( United States Navy). Six of her crew, and 172 or 272 soldiers, were killed. |
| Myoken Maru | Japan | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Celebes Sea north of Kema, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (1°26′N 125°08′E﻿ / ﻿1.433°N 125.133°E﻿ / 1.433; 125.133) by USS Swordfish ( United States Navy). |
| PB-37 | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: Battle of Balikpapan: The patrol boat, the former Momi-class destroyer Hishi, was torpedoed and damaged at (01°24′S 117°02′E﻿ / ﻿1.400°S 117.033°E﻿ / -1.400; 117.033) by USS Parrott, USS Paul Jones, USS John D. Ford and USS Pope (all United States Navy). The vessel was towed into Balikpapan harbor. The crew were ordered off the ship on 5 February and repairs begun. Repairs were abandoned and the vessel was decommissioned on 10 April. PB-37 was stripped from 17–30 April and abandoned, eventually sinking. The wreck was raised and scrapped at unknown date. |
| Ringstad | Norway | World War II: Convoy ONS 55: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (45°50′N 51°04′W﻿ / ﻿45.833°N 51.067°W﻿ / 45.833; -51.067) by U-333 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 30 of the 43 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by USS Swanson ( United States Navy). |
| USS S-26 | United States Navy | The S-class submarine was rammed and sunk in the Gulf of Panama by USS Sturdy ( United States Navy) with the loss of 46 of her 49 crew. |
| Sumanoura Maru | Japan | World War II: Battle of Balikpapan: Balikpapan Invasion Force convoy: The IJN-chartered Koto Maru No. 2-class auxiliary netlayer was shelled, torpedoed and sunk by USS Pope ( United States Navy) while riding at anchor. Many troops, her commanding officer, and the all but nine of her crew were killed. |
| Tai Sang | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Durian Strait between Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies and Singapore (0°55′N 103°35′E﻿ / ﻿0.917°N 103.583°E﻿ / 0.917; 103.583) with the loss of 29 crew, her captain, and four passengers. Two survivors were later taken as prisoners of war. |
| Tatsugami Maru | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: Battle of Balikpapan: Balikpapan Invasion Force convoy: The Tatsugami Maru-class auxiliary ammunition transport was bombed and damaged in the Makassar Strait east of Bontang, Netherlands East Indies (00°18′N 117°43′E﻿ / ﻿0.300°N 117.717°E﻿ / 0.300; 117.717) on 23 January by Martin 139 aircraft of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force, then torpedoed and sunk at 01°18′S 117°04′E﻿ / ﻿1.300°S 117.067°E﻿ / -1.300; 117.067 by USS Parrott and USS Pope (both United States Navy). Four of her crew were killed. |
| Tatukami Maru | Japan | World War II: Battle of Balikpapan: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the South China Sea (0°10′N 118°00′E﻿ / ﻿0.167°N 118.000°E﻿ / 0.167; 118.000) by United States Navy ships. |
| Turuga Maru | Imperial Japanese Army | World War II: Battle of Balikpapan: Balikpapan Invasion Convoy: The Toyooka Maru-class auxiliary transport was torpedoed and sunk at 00°10′N 118°00′E﻿ / ﻿0.167°N 118.000°E﻿ / 0.167; 118.000 by submarine HNLMS K XVIII ( Royal Netherlands Navy). Thirty-eight troops and a crew member were killed. |
| Venore | United States | World War II: The ore carrier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (34°50′N 75°20′W﻿ / ﻿34.833°N 75.333°W﻿ / 34.833; -75.333) by U-66 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of seventeen of her 42 crew. Survivors were rescued by Australia ( United States) and Tennessee ( United Kingdom). |

## 25 January

List of shipwrecks: 25 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Z8 Bruno Heinemann | Kriegsmarine | World War II: The Type 1934A-class destroyer struck two mines and sank off the coast of Belgium with the loss of 98 of her crew. |
| Culebra | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (35°30′N 53°25′W﻿ / ﻿35.500°N 53.417°W﻿ / 35.500; -53.417) by U-123 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 45 crew. |
| Dalmatia L. | Germany | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed in the Straits of Messina (37°45′N 15°30′E﻿ / ﻿37.750°N 15.500°E﻿ / 37.750; 15.500) by HMS Ultimatum ( Royal Navy). She broke in two and sank the next day 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) off San Ranieri, Sicily, Italy whilst under tow. Her 40 crew were rescued. |
| Empire Pilgrim | United Kingdom | The cargo ship ran aground 14 nautical miles (26 km) north of Aberdeen. She was holed and abandoned. She was refloated on 16 February. Subsequently repaired and returned to service. |
| RFA Isleford | Royal Fleet Auxiliary | The coaster was driven ashore on the north side of Wick Bay in heavy weather and was wrecked or sank with the loss of fifteen of her crew. |
| Mount Kitheron | Greece | World War II: The cargo shipvwas torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (47°32′N 52°31′W﻿ / ﻿47.533°N 52.517°W﻿ / 47.533; -52.517) by U-754 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of twelve of the 36 people aboard. |
| Swynfleet | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the Landguard Point Lighthouse, Suffolk. Her crew were rescued. |
| Varanger | Norway | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (38°58′N 74°06′W﻿ / ﻿38.967°N 74.100°W﻿ / 38.967; -74.100) by U-130 ( Kriegsmarine). Her 40 crew were rescued by two American fishing vessels. |
| Unnamed (possibly Giang Seng) | Flag unknown ( Singapore) | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in Sabang Roads by I-59 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). |

## 26 January

List of shipwrecks: 26 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Borge F-3G | Norway | World War II: The motorboat was captured by ShCh-422 ( Soviet Navy) and scuttled by shelling. Three of her crew were taken as prisoners of war. |
| HMS Kelana | Royal Navy | World War II: The auxiliary patrol boat was scuttled at Endau, Malaya. |
| Lesrix | United Kingdom | The cargo ship was wrecked in a gale with snow and heavy seas at Hackley Head, 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) north of Newburgh, Aberdeenshire. Nine of her crew were killed. Two of the crew of the lifeboat John Ryburn ( Royal National Lifeboat Institution), that had been sent to assist, were killed when the lifeboat capsized. |
| Refast | United Kingdom | World War II: Convoy ON 56: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (42°41′N 53°02′W﻿ / ﻿42.683°N 53.033°W﻿ / 42.683; -53.033) by U-582 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of ten of her 43 crew. Survivors were rescued by Maliakos ( Greece). |
| Sanuki Maru | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: The seaplane tender was bombed and sunk at Balikpapan, Netherlands East Indies by Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft of the United States Army Air Force. |
| HMS Shuman | Royal Navy | World War II: The auxiliary patrol vessel was scuttled at Endau. She was later salvaged and taken to Singapore. |
| HMAS Sirocco | Royal Australian Navy | The patrol boat was destroyed by fire at Hobart, Tasmania, burning to the waterline. |
| Tornator Go | Japan | The chartered cargo ship ran aground at Omaisaki. She broke in two four days later and was declared a total loss. |
| Traveller | United Kingdom | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (40°00′N 61°45′W﻿ / ﻿40.000°N 61.750°W﻿ / 40.000; -61.750) by U-106 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 52 crew. |
| HNLMS Wega | Royal Netherlands Navy | World War II: The Sirius-class patrol vessel was bombed and sunk at Olele, Netherlands East Indies by Japanese aircraft. |
| West Ivis | United States | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Virginia (35°03′N 73°10′W﻿ / ﻿35.050°N 73.167°W﻿ / 35.050; -73.167) by U-125 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss with all hands:- nine gunners and 36 crew. |

## 27 January

List of shipwrecks: 27 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| HMT Eveline, or HNLMS Eveline | Royal Navy or Royal Netherlands Navy | The auxiliary minesweeper sank at Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire after a collision with HMS Shera ( Royal Navy). A crew member died.(conflicting ownership between sources) |
| Fibreboard | Canada | The tow barge was wrecked 15 nautical miles (28 km) off Cape Scott, British Columbia. |
| Francis E. Powell | United States | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (38°05′N 74°53′W﻿ / ﻿38.083°N 74.883°W﻿ / 38.083; -74.883) by U-130 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of four of her 32 crew. Survivors were rescued by W. C. Fairbanks ( United States) and a United States Coast Guard vessel. |
| Harpa | United Kingdom | World War II: The tanker struck a mine and sank in the Singapore Strait with the loss of 39 of her 40 crew. |
| Hawkwood | United Kingdom | The cargo ship ran aground at Teesmouth and broke in two. The wreck was dispersed a short time later. |
| I-73 | Imperial Japanese Navy | World War II: The Kaidai-class submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean 240 miles (390 km) west of Midway Atoll (28°24′N 178°35′E﻿ / ﻿28.400°N 178.583°E﻿ / 28.400; 178.583) by USS Gudgeon ( United States Navy). |
| Icarion | Greece | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (46°02′N 52°22′W﻿ / ﻿46.033°N 52.367°W﻿ / 46.033; -52.367) by U-754 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of nine of her 29 crew. |
| Jan Carstensz | Netherlands | World War II: The coastal tanker was scuttled at Amboyna, Netherlands East Indies. |
| Pan Norway | Norway | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (35°56′N 50°27′W﻿ / ﻿35.933°N 50.450°W﻿ / 35.933; -50.450) by U-123 ( Kriegsmarine). Her 40 crew were rescued by Mount Aena ( Switzerland). |
| Poelau Tello | Netherlands | World War II:The cargo ship was bombed and damaged at Padang, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies. She was beached in Koeninginnabaai but was declared a total loss. |
| Punta Rubia | Spain | The cargo ship was about to leave the San Esteban de Pravia outlet channel when rough seas in a gale caused rudder failure. The current dragged her against the eastern breakwater of the mouth of the estuary, wrecking her. |
| HMS Thanet | Royal Navy | World War II: Battle off Endau: The S-class destroyer was sunk off Endau, Malaya by Sendai, Yūgiri, Fubuki, Asagiri, and W-1 (all Imperial Japanese Navy). Thirty-seven of her crew were killed. Two more drowned when their lifeboat hit a reef. Eight of her crew were rescued on 29 January, and 54 crewmen and two Royal Air Force pilots on 30 January by HMS Giang Bee ( Royal Navy). Thirty-one crewmen were rescued by Shirayuki ( Imperial Japanese Navy) and made prisoners of war, of which four died in captivity. |

## 28 January

List of shipwrecks: 28 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Bjørnvik | Norway | World War II: Convoy WP 103: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the English Channel off Hartland Point, Devon, United Kingdom by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of seventeen of her twenty crew. |
| USAT General Royal T. Frank | United States Army | World War II: The transport ship struck a mine, or was torpedoed, by a Japanese submarine. She split in two and sank in one minute 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Maui, Hawaii Territory. twenty-four of the 60 people aboard were killed. |
| M 1406 Glettkau | Kriegsmarine | World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper was bombed and sunk at Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands during an air raid. Four of her crew were wounded. She was raised and resumed service as M 4014. |
| Idar | United Kingdom | World War II: The paddle steamer was shelled and damaged in the Indian Ocean (10°12′N 80°13′E﻿ / ﻿10.200°N 80.217°E﻿ / 10.200; 80.217) by I-64 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). Idar was beached, and was later salvaged. |
| Ninuccia | Italy | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Adriatic Sea off Cape Planka, Yugoslavia (43°30′N 15°55′E﻿ / ﻿43.500°N 15.917°E﻿ / 43.500; 15.917), by HMS Thorn ( Royal Navy). Before being sunk with a torpedo the ship had been missed with four other torpedoes and then engaged and damaged with gunfire. There were eight dead and eleven survivors. |

## 29 January

List of shipwrecks: 29 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Boelongen | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Padang, Netherlands East Indies by Japanese aircraft. |
| Braconbush | United Kingdom | World War II: The fishing trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south east of Duncansby Head, Caithness. Her crew were rescued. |
| Buyskes | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Padang by Japanese aircraft. |
| Crown | United Kingdom | World War II: The fishing boat was bombed and sunk at Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire by Luftwaffe aircraft. |
| Elout | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Padang by Japanese aircraft. |
| Emba | Soviet Union | World War II: The tanker was bombed and severely damaged in the Black Sea off Kamysh Burun by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was subsequently used as a hulk at Sokhumi, where she was torpedoed and sunk on 30 July 1943. |
| Florence Luckenbach | United States | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) east of Madras, India (12°55′N 80°33′E﻿ / ﻿12.917°N 80.550°E﻿ / 12.917; 80.550) by I-64 ( Imperial Japanese Navy). There were no casualties and all 38 crew reached Madras in lifeboats. |
| Northgate Scot | United Kingdom | World War II: The tug was bombed and damaged at Falmouth, Cornwall by Luftwaffe aircraft and was beached. She was later salvaged, repaired and returned to service. |
| Ocean Gift | United Kingdom | World War II: The fishing boat was bombed and sunk at Rosehearty by Luftwaffe aircraft. |
| Poelau Tello | Netherlands | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Padang by Japanese aircraft. |
| Polaris | Finland | World War II:The cargo ship suffered an explosion and fire while under repair at Turku. Declared a total loss, but raised by the Soviets, repaired and returned to service as Sestroretsk. |
| Samwater | United Kingdom | The Liberty ship caught fire and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 35 nautical miles (65 km) west of Cape Finisterre, Spain. She was on a voyage from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia to Liverpool, Lancashire. |
| HMT Sotra | Royal Navy | World War II: Convoy TA 21: The minesweeping naval whaler, or naval trawler, was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 80 miles (130 km) east of Tobruk (32°07′N 25°30′E﻿ / ﻿32.117°N 25.500°E﻿ / 32.117; 25.500) by U-431 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 22 crew. |
| HMT Soubrette | Royal Navy | The naval trawler was lost on this date. |

## 30 January

List of shipwrecks: 30 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| USCGC Alexander Hamilton | United States Coast Guard | World War II: Convoy HX 170: The Treasury-class capsized after being torpedoed and damaged the previous day in the Atlantic Ocean off Reykjavík, Iceland (64°10′N 22°56′W﻿ / ﻿64.167°N 22.933°W﻿ / 64.167; -22.933), by U-132 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of seven of her 221 crew. She was scuttled by USS Ericsson ( United States Navy). |
| Bobie | United Kingdom | The cargo ship was sunk in a collision with Andelle ( United Kingdom) in Swansea Bay. |
| Fertilia | Italy | World War II: The cargo ship was sunk by a mine in the Adriatic Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) north east of Brindisi. |
| Ingøy | Norway | World War II: The coaster struck a mine and sank off Måsøya with the loss of sixteen of the 23 people aboard. |
| Jalatarang | India | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean (12°50′N 81°00′E﻿ / ﻿12.833°N 81.000°E﻿ / 12.833; 81.000) by I-64 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) with the loss of 38 of her 49 crew. |
| HMT Loch Alsh | Royal Navy | World War II: The naval trawler was bombed and sunk in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) north of Skegness, Lincolnshire, by Luftwaffe aircraft. Her crew survived. |
| Medusa | Regia Marina | World War II: The Argonauta-class submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the Adriatic Sea north of Pola (44°54′N 13°46′E﻿ / ﻿44.900°N 13.767°E﻿ / 44.900; 13.767), by HMS Thorn ( Royal Navy) with the loss of 58 of her 60 crew. |
| USC&GS Research | United States Coast and Geodetic Survey | World War II: The survey ship was damaged indirectly by bombing off Corregidor, Philippines, partially sinking from leaks on Corregidor and then floating away on the tide and grounding on the Bataan Peninsula in a sinking condition. |
| Rochester | United States | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (37°10′N 73°58′W﻿ / ﻿37.167°N 73.967°W﻿ / 37.167; -73.967) by U-106 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of four of her 35 crew. Survivors were rescued by USS Roe ( United States Navy). |
| Scarweather Lightship | Trinity House | The lightship was sunk when struck by HMT Rosette ( Royal Navy) at Scarweather Sands (51°27′N 03°55′W﻿ / ﻿51.450°N 3.917°W﻿ / 51.450; -3.917), approximately 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) offshore from Sker Point, Glamorgan. |
| Singkil | Netherlands | Worls War II: The coaster was shelled and sunk by Royal Netherlands East Indies Army artillery at Ambon, Netherlands East Indies to prevent capture. |
| Urara Maru | Imperial Japanese Navy | The Tokushima Maru-class auxiliary minelayer ran aground on a reef off the jetty at Tairadate. She was refloated on 1 February, arrived at Kurosaki on 2 February 1942 and entered drydock for repair on 3 February 1942. Repairs were completed on 26 February. |

## 31 January

List of shipwrecks: 31 January 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| HMS Belmont | Royal Navy | World War II: Convoy NA 2: The Clemson-class destroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Dominion of Newfoundland (42°02′N 57°18′W﻿ / ﻿42.033°N 57.300°W﻿ / 42.033; -57.300) by U-82 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 138 crew. |
| HMS Culver | Royal Navy | World War II: Convoy SL 98: The Banff-class sloop was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland (48°43′N 20°14′W﻿ / ﻿48.717°N 20.233°W﻿ / 48.717; -20.233) by U-105 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of all 114 crew. |
| Empire Redshank | United Kingdom | World War II: The Design 1037 ship was bombed and damaged by Luftwaffe aircraft north west of the Shetland Islands. She was repaired and returned to service. |
| Helgoland | Germany | The cargo ship was lost off Bogskär, Finland due to ice damage. |
| Jalapalaka | India | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean (13°00′N 81°08′E﻿ / ﻿13.000°N 81.133°E﻿ / 13.000; 81.133) by I-64 ( Imperial Japanese Navy) with the loss of thirteen of her 67 crew. |
| Kwandang | Netherlands | World War II: The tender was shelled and sunk by Royal Netherlands East Indies Army artillery at Ambon, Netherlands East Indies to prevent capture. |
| Lady Charlotte | United Kingdom | World War II: The yawl was bombed and sunk at Eyemouth, Berwickshire by Luftwaffe aircraft. |
| San Arcadio | United Kingdom | World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (38°10′N 63°50′W﻿ / ﻿38.167°N 63.833°W﻿ / 38.167; -63.833) by U-107 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 41 of her 50 crew. Survivors were rescued by a Martin PBM Mariner aircraft of the United States Navy. |
| Spreewald | Germany | World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 450 nautical miles (830 km) north of the Azores, Portugal (45°12′N 24°50′W﻿ / ﻿45.200°N 24.833°W﻿ / 45.200; -24.833) by U-333 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of 72 of the 152 crew and prisoners of war aboard. At the time of her loss, she was disguised as Elk ( Norway). |
| HMT Unicity | Royal Navy | The auxiliary minesweeping naval drifter capsized and sank in the North Sea off Blyth, Northumberland during a storm with the loss of a crew member. |

## Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1942 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Islas Filipinas | Philippines | World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in Manila Bay by Japanese aircraft. |
| Kommunist | Soviet Union | The cargo ship was wrecked in the Black Sea between 19 and 23 January. Lost with all 34 of her crew. |
| Leyte | Philippines | World War II: The cargo liner was sunk at Cebu by Japanese aircraft. |
| MAS 512 | Regia Marina | The MAS 501-class MAS boat was wrecked at Kefalonia, Greece on 21 January 1942 or 24 June 1942. |
| MAS 513 | Regia Marina | The MAS 501-class MAS boat was wrecked at Kefalonia on 21 January 1942 or 24 June 1942. |
| PiLB 1 | Kriegsmarine | The PiLB 39 Type personnel landing craft was lost sometime in January. |
| HMS Triumph | Royal Navy | The T-class submarine disappeared between 30 December 1941 and 9 January 1942 with the loss of all 59 crew. Possibly struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea. |
| U-337 | Kriegsmarine | The Type VIIC submarine was last heard from on 3 January. The vessel was declared missing on 24 January. |