2.November 1939
Aldbrough..
A mine washed up at Aldbrough (10 miles N of Withernsea) exploded, causing
damage to the windows of 25 bungalows.
9.November 1939
'SS
„Carmarthen Coast“ (961BRT) on a voyage from Methil to London, was mined and
sank three miles off Seaham Harbour. Two of the crew were lost.
12.November 1939
4 german destroyers under the command of Kommodore Bonte lay mines in
the mouth of the Thames. 1brit. destroyer and 12 other ships sunk.
13.November 1939
Destroyer
HMS „Blanche“, sunk by a mine in the Thames Estuary whilst escorting HMS
Adventure which had earlier been damaged by a mine. She was the first Royal
Navy destroyer to be sunk in the war. Had been turning at high speed when a the
mine exploded well aft. The main dynamo was destroyed and the ship was plunged
into darkness. She took a 20 degree list and sank two hours later. One rating
was killed and 12 injured.
15.November 1939
The
cruiser „Deutschland“ returns to Gotenhafen and is renamed „Lützow“.
16.November 1939
'The british „Arlington Court“ (4,915BRT) steamer,
Rosario, Argentina to Hull with a cargo of grain was sunk by U 43 off the Irish
coast, Five of her crew were lost.
17.November 1939
Three german destroyers under the command of Freg.Kpt. Hartmann lay
mines in the middle part of the Thames. 1 brit. destroyer, one Trawler and 7
transport ships sunk.
18.November 1939
Three german destroyers under the command of Freg.Kpt. Erich Bey lay
mines in the mouth of the Humber river. 7 other ships sunk.
The passenger
liner „Simon Bolivar“, 8,309 tons of the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company
bound from Rotterdam to Tilbury, and then the West Indies was about 25 miles
from Harwich, approaching Longsand Head, when at 12.30 she hit a mine. She sank
in shallow water with the funnels and masts still showing. 130 people lost
their lives, including Captain Voorspuiy. Survivors were taken either to
Harwich or to London by passing ships. Throughout the night a search for
survivors went on but no-one was found. The injured were taken to Shotley Naval
Hospital and Essex County Hospital at Colchester.
„SS
Blackhill“ (2,492BRT) steamer, Tees from Salta Caballo, was sunk by a mine in
the Thames Estuary. One member of the crew died.
19.November 1939
„SS
Stanbrook“ (1,383BRT) left Antwerp yesterday in ballast for the Tyne, 8 miles
from her destination she was torpedoed by U 57. None of her crew of twenty
survived.
„SS Torchbearer“ (1,267BRT) a collier bound for London from Seaham was
sunk by a mine, off Harwich, with the loss of four of her crew.
21.November 1939
9 He59 floating planes of 3./906 drop air mines in the Thames Estuary. 5
cannot find the target and return.
Battleships „Scharnhorst“ and „Gneisenau“ under the command of
Vizeadmiral Marschall set sail into the North Atlantic.
The british destroyer „Gypsy“ sinks after hitting a mine.
SS
„Geraldus“ (2,494BRT) steamer, Tyne to Bruges was sunk by a mine off the „Sunk
Lightvessel“.
23.November 1939
24.November 1939
„SS
Mangalore“ (8,886BRT) cargo ship, at anchor in the Hawke Roads, Spurn, was
struck by a drifting mine and broke in two.
25.November 1939
„SS
Uskmouth“ (2,483BRT) steamer, Sunderland to Southern France was sunk by
torpedoes and gunfire from U 43 in the Bay of Biscay. Two of her crew died.
26.November 1939
„SS
Pilsudski“ (14,294BRT) a Polish liner under charter to the Royal Navy struck a
mine and sank off the Humber
27.November 1939
Selfdestruction
of the german steamer „Adolf Woermann“ not to fall into british hands.
„Spaarndam“, Steamer of the Holland Amerika Line, 8857 tons. Sunk in the
Thames Estuary by a magnetic mine three miles east north-east of the Tongue
light vessel. Five people lost their lives. She burnt out but later her cargo
of cotton was salvaged.
„Scharnhorst“ and „Gneisenau“ sneak through the british fleet patrols
near Norway and reach Wilhelmshaven.
29.November 1939
„SS Ionian“ (3,114BRT) steamer, India to London and Hull was sunk by a
mine off the Newarp Lightvessel in the North Sea.
U35 sinks in North Sea, in position 60.53N, 02.47E, by depth charges
from the British destroyers HMS „Kingston“, HMS „Icarus“ and HMS „Kashmir“. Entire
crew of 43 survived. 43 survivors (No casualties).
30.November 1939
„SS Sheaf Crest“ (2,730BRT) steamer, Tyne to London, was sunk by a mine
in the Thames Estuary.