List of shipwrecks of France

This is a list of shipwrecks located in or off the coast of France.

The shipwreck of Boyne off the Îles Molène, Brittany, 1875

Aquitaine

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
U-180  Kriegsmarine 23 August 1944 A Type IXD1 U-boat sunk off Soorts-Hossegor. 44°00′00″N 2°00′00″W / 44.000°N 2.000°W / 44.000; -2.000 (German submarine U-180)

Brittany

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Ajax Denmark 25 December 1917 A cargo ship that was torpedoed by U-104 south of Audierne. 47°53′N 4°32′W / 47.883°N 4.533°W / 47.883; -4.533 (SS Ajax (1889))
HMS Amazon  Royal Navy 14 January 1797 A frigate that ran aground at Audierne.
HMS Amfitrite  Royal Navy 4 March 1807 A frigate wrecked off Ushant.
Amoco Cadiz Liberia 16 March 1978 A supertanker that ran aground at Portsall, causing an oil spill. 48°36′N 4°42′W / 48.6°N 4.7°W / 48.6; -4.7 (Amoco Cadiz)
HMS Arethusa  Royal Navy 19 March 1779 A Royal Navy frigate, wrecked off Ushant after sustaining considerable damage in a battle with the French ship Aigrette. 48°27′4″N 5°4′4″W / 48.45111°N 5.06778°W / 48.45111; -5.06778 (HMS Arethusa (1759))
Asgard II Ireland 11 September 2008 A brigantine that sank off Belle Île. 47°18′03″N 3°33′02″W / 47.30083°N 3.55056°W / 47.30083; -3.55056 (Asgard II)
HMCS Athabaskan  Royal Canadian Navy 29 April 1944 A Tribal-class destroyer that was torpedoed by T24 off Plouguerneau. 48°43′N 4°32′W / 48.717°N 4.533°W / 48.717; -4.533 (HMCS Athabaskan (GO7))
Auguste  French Navy 29 January 1795 A ship of the line caught in a tempest off Brest.
Böhlen East Germany 14 October 1976 An oil tanker that sank after going aground off the Île de Sein 48°10′30″N 5°10′48″W / 48.17500°N 5.18000°W / 48.17500; -5.18000 (Böhlen)
HMS Charybdis  Royal Navy 23 October 1943 A Dido-class cruiser that was sunk by German torpedo boats off the north coast of Brittany. 48°59′N 3°39′W / 48.983°N 3.650°W / 48.983; -3.650 (HMS Charybdis (88))
Droits de l'Homme France 1797 A ship of the line sunk after going aground off Plozévet.
Empire Conyngham United Kingdom 20 June 1949 A cargo ship that was scuttled off Brest. 47°52′N 8°51′W / 47.867°N 8.850°W / 47.867; -8.850 (SS Empire Conyngham)
Erika Malta 12 December 1999 An oil tanker that sank in the Bay of Biscay, causing an oil spill. 47°9′N 4°15′W / 47.150°N 4.250°W / 47.150; -4.250 (MV Erika)
HMS Firm  Royal Navy 29 June 1811 A gun-brig wrecked off Cancalle Bay.
France  French Navy 26 August 1922 A Courbet-class battleship that struck a rock in Quiberon Bay. 47°27′6″N 3°2′0″W / 47.45167°N 3.03333°W / 47.45167; -3.03333 (French battleship France)
USS Gypsum Queen  United States Navy 28 April 1919 A tugboat that struck a rock off Brest.
Hilda  United Kingdom 18 December 1905 A steamship that hit the Pierre de Portes rocks in thick fog and sank off Saint-Malo. 48°40.49′N 2°5.72′W / 48.67483°N 2.09533°W / 48.67483; -2.09533 (SS Hilda)
London  United Kingdom 11 January 1864 Sunk in a storm in the Bay of Biscay.
HMS Magnificent  Royal Navy 25 March 1804 A Ramillies-class ship of the line that struck a reef off Brest.
HMS Monkey  Royal Navy 25 December 1810 A gun-brig wrecked on Belle Île while participating in the blockade of Lorient.
Neptune  French Navy 28 December 1794 A ship of the line wrecked off Brest during the Croisière du Grand Hiver.
HMS Repulse  Royal Navy 10 March 1800 An Intrepid-class ship of the line abandoned in the Glénan islands.
Royal Louis  French Navy 24 December 1794 A ship of the line that ran aground off Brest.
Saint-Esprit  French Navy 30 January 1795 A Saint-Esprit-class ship of the line wrecked off Brest during Croisière du Grand Hiver.
Séduisant  French Navy 16 December 1796 A Séduisant-class ship of the line wrecked off Brest.
Superbe  French Navy 30 January 1795 A Téméraire-class ship of the line wrecked off Brest during the Croisière du Grand Hiver.
U-103  Imperial German Navy 12 May 1918 A German submarine that was rammed by RMS Olympic off Brest. 49°16′N 4°51′W / 49.267°N 4.850°W / 49.267; -4.850 (SM U-103)
U-171  Kriegsmarine 9 October 1942 A Type IXC U-boat that was sunk near Lorient. 47°39′N 03°34′W / 47.650°N 3.567°W / 47.650; -3.567 (German submarine U-171)
U-441  Kriegsmarine 8 June 1944 A Type VIIC U-boat that was sunk off Ushant. 48°27′N 05°47′W / 48.450°N 5.783°W / 48.450; -5.783 (German submarine U-441)
U-526  Kriegsmarine 14 April 1943 A Type IXC/40 U-boat that was sunk by naval mines near Lorient. 47°30′N 03°45′W / 47.500°N 3.750°W / 47.500; -3.750 (German submarine U-526)
U-767  Kriegsmarine 18 June 1944 A Type VIIC U-boat that was sunk by British destroyers north of Tréguier. 49°03′N 03°13′W / 49.050°N 3.217°W / 49.050; -3.217 (German submarine U-767)
U-821  Kriegsmarine 10 June 1944 A Type VIIC U-boat that was sunk by aircraft off Ushant. 48°31′N 05°11′W / 48.517°N 5.183°W / 48.517; -5.183 (German submarine U-821)
UC-36  Imperial German Navy 21 May 1917 A German Type UC II U-boat that was rammed by French steamer Molière off Ushant. 48°42′N 05°14′W / 48.700°N 5.233°W / 48.700; -5.233 (SM UC-36)

Channel Islands

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
HMS Affray  Royal Navy 16 April 1951 An Amphion-class submarine lost near Hurds Deep. 49°30′N 3°34′W / 49.500°N 3.567°W / 49.500; -3.567 (HMS Affray (P421))
Baden  Royal Navy 16 August 1921 A Bayern-class dreadnought sunk as a target in Hurd Deep. 49°49′42″N 2°23′21″W / 49.82833°N 2.38917°W / 49.82833; -2.38917 (SMS Baden)
HMS Dragon  Royal Navy 15 March 1712 A frigate that served in the Anglo-Dutch Wars, and was wrecked near Guernsey.
HMS Lady Olive  Royal Navy 19 February 1917 A Q ship that was sunk by UC-18 west of Jersey. 49°15′N 02°34′W / 49.250°N 2.567°W / 49.250; -2.567 (HMS Lady Olive)
Stella  United Kingdom 30 March 1899 A passenger ferry that hit a granite reef off the Casquets.
UC-18  Imperial German Navy 19 February 1917 A German minelaying submarine sunk by Q ship Lady Olive west of Jersey. 49°15′N 02°34′W / 49.250°N 2.567°W / 49.250; -2.567 (SM UC-18)

Corsica

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
HMS Fleche  Royal Navy 12 November 1795 A corvette that ran aground and capsized in the bay of Saint-Florent.
HMS Saracen  Royal Navy 14 August 1943 An S-class submarine that was attacked by Italian corvettes and scuttled off Bastia. 42°45′N 9°30′E / 42.750°N 9.500°E / 42.750; 9.500 (HMS Saracen (P247))

Languedoc-Roussillon

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Wreck of Rochelongue A shipwreck found west of Cap d'Agde dating to the Iron Age, around 600 BC.

Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Abukir United Kingdom 28 May 1940 A steamship that was torpedoed by S-34 northeast of Calais, while evacuating soldiers and civilians from Ostend. 51°12′N 2°10′E / 51.20°N 2.16°E / 51.20; 2.16 (SS Abukir)
HMS Assistance  Royal Navy 29 March 1802 A fourth-rate ship that hit a sandbank off Dunkirk.
Elizabeth 28 December 1810 A cargo ship wrecked on the Dunkirk brake, with at least 380 deaths.
HMS Grenade  Royal Navy 29 May 1940 A G-class destroyer that was sunk by German Stuka dive bomber aircraft during the Battle of Dunkirk. 51°24′28″N 2°49′10″E / 51.40778°N 2.81944°E / 51.40778; 2.81944 (HMS Grenade (H68))
HMS Havant  Royal Navy 1 June 1940 A H-class destroyer that was scuttled after taking damage in the Battle of Dunkirk. 51°08′00″N 2°15′49″E / 51.13333°N 2.26361°E / 51.13333; 2.26361 (HMS Havant (H32))
HMS Hermes  Royal Navy 31 October 1914 A Highflyer-class cruiser torpedoed by German submarine U-27. 51°06′18″N 1°50′18″E / 51.10500°N 1.83833°E / 51.10500; 1.83833 (HMS Hermes (1898))
Huntley United Kingdom 21 November 1915 A German hospital ship seized by the Royal Navy, and torpedoed by UB-10 off Boulogne.
HMS Keith  Royal Navy 1 June 1940 A B-class destroyer sunk at Dunkirk by enemy aircraft. 51°04′46″N 02°26′47″E / 51.07944°N 2.44639°E / 51.07944; 2.44639 (HMS Keith (1930))
L'Adroit  French Navy 25 May 1940 A L'Adroit-class destroyer that was bombed by German aircraft off Dunkirk. 51°03′N 2°23′E / 51.050°N 2.383°E / 51.050; 2.383 (French destroyer L'Adroit)
HMS Laforey  Royal Navy 23 March 1917 A Laforey-class destroyer that hit a naval mine off Cap Gris Nez.
U-109  Imperial German Navy 26 January 1918 A German submarine sunk in the English Channel. 50°53′N 1°31′E / 50.883°N 1.517°E / 50.883; 1.517 (SM U-109)
UC-26  Imperial German Navy 8 May 1917 A German minelaying submarine rammed by HMS Milne off Calais. 51°03′N 01°40′E / 51.050°N 1.667°E / 51.050; 1.667 (SM UC-26)
UC-61  Imperial German Navy 26 July 1917 A German minelaying submarine stranded and scuttled off Boulogne. 50°53′N 01°33′E / 50.883°N 1.550°E / 50.883; 1.550 (SM UC-61)
UC-79  Imperial German Navy 1918 A German minelaying submarine sunk by a mine off Cap Gris Nez.

Normandy

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
CSS Alabama  Confederate States Navy 11 June 1864 A screw sloop-of-war sunk off Cherbourg-Octeville during the American Civil War. 49°45′09″N 1°41′42″W / 49.75250°N 1.69500°W / 49.75250; -1.69500 (CSS Alabama)
Amsterdam  Royal Navy 7 August 1944 A hospital ship that was sunk by a naval mine while taking casualties from Juno Beach.
HMS Berkeley  Royal Navy 19 July 1942 A Hunt-class destroyer that was damaged by German bomber aircraft and scuttled off Dieppe. 49°59′N 01°02′E / 49.983°N 1.033°E / 49.983; 1.033 (HMS Berkeley (L17))
HMS Britomart  Royal Navy 27 August 1944 A Halcyon-class minesweeper that was, along with HMS Hussar, accidentally sunk by Royal Air Force Hawker Typhoon aircraft off Le Havre.
HMS Capel  Royal Navy 26 December 1944 A Captain-class frigate that was torpedoed by U-486 off Cherbourg. 49°50′N 1°41′W / 49.833°N 1.683°W / 49.833; -1.683 (HMS Capel (K470))
HMS Centurion  Royal Navy 7 June 1944 A King George V-class battleship sunk as a breakwater off Avranches.
USS Corry  United States Navy 6 June 1944 A Gleaves-class destroyer sunk off Îles Saint-Marcouf during the invasion of Normandy. 49°30′50″N 1°11′30″W / 49.51389°N 1.19167°W / 49.51389; -1.19167 (USS Corry (DD-463))
HMS D3  Royal Navy 12 March 1918 A D-class submarine that was mistakenly bombed by a French airship off Fecamp.
HMS Daffodil  Royal Navy 18 March 1945 A train ferry that was requisitioned by the Royal Navy as an amphibious warfare ship, and was sunk by a naval mine off Dieppe. 50°02′N 01°04′E / 50.033°N 1.067°E / 50.033; 1.067 (HMS Daffodil (1917))
Derrycunihy United Kingdom 24 June 1944 A troopship that was sunk by a naval mine off Sword Beach.
HMS Derwent  Royal Navy 2 May 1917 A River-class destroyer sunk off Le Havre by a naval mine laid by German submarine UC-26. 49°30′48″N 0°1′48″W / 49.51333°N 0.03000°W / 49.51333; -0.03000 (HMS Derwent (1903))
ORP Dragon  Polish Navy 7 July 1944 A Danae-class cruiser that was transferred to the Polish Navy and then scuttled near Courseulles.
HMS Durban  Royal Navy 9 June 1944 A Danae-class light cruiser that was scuttled as a breakwater off Ouistreham. 49°20′44″N 00°16′08″W / 49.34556°N 0.26889°W / 49.34556; -0.26889 (HMS Durban (D99))
USS Eastern Shore  United States Navy 4 August 1944 A cargo ship sunk to form part of a Mulberry harbour.
HMS Eden  Royal Navy 18 June 1916 A River-class destroyer that collided with SS France off Fécamp.
Empire Broadsword  Royal Navy July 1944 An infantry landing ship sunk by a naval mine off Normandy. 49°25′N 0°54′W / 49.417°N 0.900°W / 49.417; -0.900 (SS Empire Broadsword)
Empire Javelin  Royal Navy 28 December 1944 An infantry landing ship that was sunk in the English Channel. 50°5′N 1°0′W / 50.083°N 1.000°W / 50.083; -1.000 (SS Empire Javelin)
Galeka  Royal Navy 28 October 1916 A hospital ship that struck a naval mine while entering Le Havre. 49°34′N 0°5′E / 49.567°N 0.083°E / 49.567; 0.083 (SS Galeka)
USS Glennon  United States Navy 10 June 1944 A Gleaves-class destroyer that hit a naval mine and was sunk by shore batteries in the Baie de la Seine.
HMS Hussar  Royal Navy 27 August 1944 A minesweeper sunk by friendly fire off Le Havre, along with HMS Britomart.
HMS Isis  Royal Navy 20 July 1944 An I-class destroyer sunk off the coast of Normandy.
Komet  Kriegsmarine 14 October 1942 A German auxiliary cruiser sunk by British motor torpedo boats near La Hague. 49°44′0″N 1°32′0″W / 49.73333°N 1.53333°W / 49.73333; -1.53333 (German auxiliary cruiser Komet)
La Combattante  Free French Naval Forces 23 February 1945 A Hunt-class destroyer that was used by the Free French Naval Forces, and sank off Normandy.
HMHS Lanfranc  Royal Navy 17 April 1917 A hospital ship torpedoed by German submarine UB-40 off Le Havre. 50°06′36″N 0°07′12″E / 50.11000°N 0.12000°E / 50.11000; 0.12000 (HMHS Lanfranc)
Léopoldville Belgium 24 December 1944 A former Belgian passenger liner converted to a transport ship, torpedoed 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) from the coast of Cherbourg-Octeville. 49°45′N 1°34′W / 49.750°N 1.567°W / 49.750; -1.567 (SS Leopoldville (1929))
USS Miantonomah  United States Navy 25 September 1944 A cargo ship and minelayer sunk by a naval mine off Le Havre. 49°26′29″N 0°11′31″E / 49.44139°N 0.19194°E / 49.44139; 0.19194 (USS Miantonomah (CMc-5))
USS Partridge  United States Navy 11 June 1944 A Lapwing-class minesweeper sunk by German E-boats off Vierville-sur-Mer. 49°30′N 00°50′W / 49.500°N 0.833°W / 49.500; -0.833 (USS Partridge (AM-16))
USS PC-1261  United States Navy 6 June 1944 A PC-461-class submarine chaser, and the first ship sunk during the invasion of Normandy. 49°30′N 01°10′W / 49.500°N 1.167°W / 49.500; -1.167 (USS PC-1261)
Pennsylvanian United States 16 July 1944 A cargo ship scuttled to form part of a Mulberry harbour. 49°22′29″N 0°53′31″W / 49.37472°N 0.89194°W / 49.37472; -0.89194 (SS Pennsylvanian)
HMS Pylades  Royal Navy 8 July 1944 A Catherine-class minesweeper sunk off Juno Beach. 49°25′36″N 00°15′04″W / 49.42667°N 0.25111°W / 49.42667; -0.25111 (HMS Pylades (J401))
HMS Quorn  Royal Navy 3 August 1944 A Hunt-class destroyer sunk off the coast of Normandy.
USS Rich  United States Navy 8 June 1944 A Buckley-class destroyer escort that hit three naval mines off Îles Saint-Marcouf. 49°31′N 1°10.6′W / 49.517°N 1.1767°W / 49.517; -1.1767 (USS Rich (DE-695))
HMHS Salta  Royal Navy 10 April 1917 A hospital ship that hit a mine laid by UC-26 off Le Havre. 49°32′8″N 0°2′18″W / 49.53556°N 0.03833°W / 49.53556; -0.03833 (HMHS Salta)
HMS Shannon  Royal Navy 10 December 1803 A frigate wrecked off Tatihou.
Soleil Royal  French Navy 3 June 1692 A ship of the line beached at Cherbourg and destroyed by fireships.
USS Susan B. Anthony  United States Navy 7 June 1944 A transport ship sunk by a mine off Normandy; all 2,689 people aboard were rescued. 49°29′24″N 0°42′48″W / 49.49000°N 0.71333°W / 49.49000; -0.71333 (USS Susan B. Anthony (AP-72))
HNoMS Svenner  Royal Norwegian Navy 6 June 1944 An S-class destroyer that served in the Royal Norwegian Navy, and was sunk off Sword Beach. 49°27′N 0°15′W / 49.450°N 0.250°W / 49.450; -0.250 (HNoMS Svenner (G03))
USS Tide  United States Navy 7 June 1944 An Auk-class minesweeper sunk by a naval mine off Îles Saint-Marcouf. 49°36′59″N 1°4′59″W / 49.61639°N 1.08306°W / 49.61639; -1.08306 (USS Tide (AM-125))
Train Ferry No. 2  Royal Navy 13 June 1940 A train ferry that was requisitioned by the Royal Navy as an amphibious warfare ship, and was sunk by German gunfire off Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer.[1] 49°56′N 00°56′E / 49.933°N 0.933°E / 49.933; 0.933 (Train Ferry 2)
U-151  Royal Navy 7 June 1921 A German submarine sunk as a target at Cherbourg.
UC-78  Imperial German Navy 9 May 1918 A German minelaying submarine rammed by off Cherbourg. 49°49′N 01°40′W / 49.817°N 1.667°W / 49.817; -1.667 (SM UC-78)
HMAT Warilda  Royal Australian Navy 3 August 1918 An Australian hospital ship torpedoed by the U-boat UC-49 off Le Havre.
West Cheswald  United States Navy 11 June 1944 A cargo ship scuttled off Utah Beach as a breakwater.
West Grama  United States Navy 8 June 1944 A cargo ship scuttled off Omaha Beach as a breakwater.
West Honaker  United States Navy 8 June 1944 A cargo ship scuttled off Utah Beach as a breakwater.
West Nohno  United States Navy 11 June 1944 A cargo ship scuttled off Utah Beach as a breakwater.
White Ship 25 November 1120 A 12th century vessel that sank in the English Channel near the Normandy coast off Barfleur.

Pays de la Loire

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
HMS Alcmene  Royal Navy 29 April 1809 An Alcmene-class frigate wrecked off Nantes.
USS Buchanan  United States Navy 29 March 1942 A Wickes-class destroyer that was deliberately blown up in the St Nazaire Raid. 47°16′34″N 2°11′49″W / 47.27611°N 2.19694°W / 47.27611; -2.19694 (USS Buchanan (DD-131))
Héros  French Navy 21 September 1759 A ship of the line wrecked off Le Croisic.
RMS Lancastria United Kingdom 17 June 1940 A Cunard Liner sunk in the Loire River estuary during World War II. 47°10′26″N 2°19′15″W / 47.17389°N 2.32083°W / 47.17389; -2.32083 (RMS Lancastria)
Sachsenwald  Kriegsmarine 6 August 1944 A German weather ship that was sunk by a British convoy off Île d'Yeu.
Saint-Philibert France 14 June 1931 A cruise ship that sank off the Île de Noirmoutier, resulting in the death of nearly 500 passengers.
U-51  Kriegsmarine 20 August 1940 A Type VIIB U-boat torpedoed by HMS Cachalot off Saint-Nazaire. 47°06′N 04°51′W / 47.100°N 4.850°W / 47.100; -4.850 (German submarine U-51 (1938))
U-268  Kriegsmarine 19 February 1943 A Type VIIC U-boat sunk by depth charges off Nantes. 47°03′N 05°56′W / 47.050°N 5.933°W / 47.050; -5.933 (German submarine U-268)
U-736  Kriegsmarine 6 August 1944 A Type VIIC U-boat sunk by HMS Loch Killin off Saint-Nazaire. 47°19′N 4°16′W / 47.317°N 4.267°W / 47.317; -4.267 (German submarine U-736)

Poitou-Charentes

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
HMS Atalante  Royal Navy 12 February 1807 A brig-sloop wrecked off Île de Ré.
U-107  Kriegsmarine 18 August 1944 A Type IXB U-boat sunk by depth charges off La Rochelle. 46°46′N 03°49′W / 46.767°N 3.817°W / 46.767; -3.817 (German submarine U-107 (1940))
U-263  Kriegsmarine 20 January 1944 A Type VIIC U-boat that was sunk during a deep dive trial off La Rochelle. 46°06′N 01°36′W / 46.100°N 1.600°W / 46.100; -1.600 (German submarine U-263)
U-667  Kriegsmarine 25 August 1944 A Type VIIC U-boat that struck a mine off Oléron. 46°00′N 01°30′W / 46.000°N 1.500°W / 46.000; -1.500 (German submarine U-667)

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Espingole  French Navy 4 February 1903 A Durandal-class destroyer that struck a rock near Cavalaire-sur-Mer. 43°09′20″N 06°36′30″E / 43.15556°N 6.60833°E / 43.15556; 6.60833 (French destroyer Espingole)
Héros  French Navy 18 December 1793 A ship of the line that was scuttled by fire at Toulon.
L'Indomptable  Vichy French Navy 27 November 1942 A Le Fantasque-class destroyer that was scuttled at Toulon to avoid capture (see Scuttling of the French fleet in Toulon).
Madrague de Giens shipwreck 75–60 BCE A Roman merchantman sunk off the coast of La Madrague de Giens, east of Toulon. 43°2′N 06°6′E / 43.033°N 6.100°E / 43.033; 6.100 (Madrague de Giens (75-60 BCE))
Magenta  French Navy 31 October 1875 An ironclad warship that exploded in the military harbour of Toulon.
U-303  Kriegsmarine 21 May 1943 A Type VIIC U-boat that was torpedoed by HMS Sickle off Toulon. 42°50′N 06°00′E / 42.833°N 6.000°E / 42.833; 6.000 (German submarine U-303)

References

  1. ^ "Le HMS Dafodil ou TF3" (in French). Grieme. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
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