Royal Navy Loss List

About the Royal Navy Loss List

The Royal Navy Loss List (The List) covers all vessels recorded as sunk or destroyed in service from the burning of the Regent at the Battle of St Matthieu in 1512 to the sinking of HMS Scylla as an artificial reef in 2004.

The List presents basic details in the format:

• Ship Name/former name(s),
• Ship Type/guns (where applicable),
• Tonnage/Displacement,
• Geographical Position (Included only when a Lat/Long position is recorded in the sources)
• Loss Notes (Brief description of circumstances with location information if known)
• Cause (Standardised list of terms to support statistical analysis)
• Auxiliary Status (Noted if vessel served as auxiliary)
• Country (Modern state where wreck is located)
• Date Lost (or date of loss reported if unknown)
• Year Built / Accepted into Naval Service
• UNESCO Signator (Countries that are signators to the UNESCO Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage are noted).
• Investigation Conducted (Noted if publications exist. It is hoped to include references in future updates)

Notes

Sources

The List is compiled from the publications and websites listed below. The accuracy of information is only as good as the original archive sources which have been transcribed and cross-checked. There may inevitably be some inaccuracies and transcription errors. Individual entries have been updated where new verifiable information such as eyewitness accounts have come to light.

Exclusive Economic Zone, Territorial Seas or International Waters

In most cases it is unclear from the sources whether the ship was lost in the territorial waters of the country in question, in the EEZ or in international waters. Where the source specifically states ‘on’ a coast or specific location, it has been assumed that the wreck is in that country’s territorial waters. If, however, ‘off’ is used, or where no specific location is named, then the wreck is assumed to be in that country’s EEZ. In many cases ships are lost in channels between two countries, eg. the River Plate with Argentina and Uruguay on opposite sides, or for example in the ambiguity of the Dover Straits or the English Channel.

Therefore this work has taken the ‘best guess’ approach where the location of the wreck is relatively clear. In some cases the location can not be guessed and so the wreck is characterised as ‘location unknown’. Wrecks are in international waters when it is not possible to assign a state without doubt. In the case of the English Channel, wrecks have been categorised in the UK EEZ. Wrecks stated as being in the North Sea are included in the international listing. Wrecks in the 14 British Overseas Territories (BOT) are listed under their respective territory, but for easy reference the territory name starts with ‘BOT’.

Definition of a 'loss'

The List originated as a cultural heritage management tool so its primary focus is losses which are likely to have resulted in material remains on the sea floor. With over five hundred years of history there are inevitably some inconsistencies in the definition of a ‘loss’ – in general the authors have erred on the side of inclusivity. Entries in the List include vessels lost in war, peacetime accidents, as well as those deliberately expended or destroyed as targets, block ships etc. However, vessels captured by the enemy, or that suffered loss of life but which did not sink are not included.

The List excludes damaged vessels that were returned to service (even in a reduced capacity) but includes ‘mission kills’ – those deemed damaged beyond repair or total constructive losses. Wrecks known to have been salvaged at a later date are included, but it is noted when there are unlikely to be further remains at the site. The new column ‘Wreck Remains In-Situ?’ allows these sites to be toggled on or off.

Consideration has been given to former warships lost after the end of their British service lives, such as those sunk in foreign or civilian ownership. In general these are not included unless they already appear in published lists of naval losses (most applicable to WWII vessels re-purposed by the enemy).

Investigations Conducted

A site which is known to have undergone any kind of physical investigation is noted to highlight to researchers that publications are available. Detailed bibliographies are not currently given for these vessels but it is hoped to add these in future updates.

MAST hopes this will be a powerful research tool, amassing for the first time all RN losses in one place. It realises that there will be gaps and would gratefully receive any comments or suggestions. Equally, if researchers have details on any RN ships that are not listed, or further information to add to the list on any already listed, please contact MAST at mast@thisismast.org. MAST also asks that if this resource is used in any publication and public talk, that it is acknowledged as MAST, 2020, Royal Navy Loss List followed by the weblink.