List of shipwrecks in 1969

The list of shipwrecks in 1969 includes ships sunk, foundered, grounded, or otherwise lost during 1969.

table of contents

1969
Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr
May	Jun	Jul	Aug
Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Unknown date

January

5 January

List of shipwrecks: 5 January 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Bolivar	Japan	The ore carrier broke in two and sank 170 nautical miles (310 km) off Cape Nojima, Japan with the loss of 31 of her 33 crew.[1]

6 January

List of shipwrecks: 6 January 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Anastassia	Panama	The Liberty ship ran aground off Constanţa, Romania. She was declared a constructive total loss.[2]

12 January

List of shipwrecks: 12 January 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Carmania	United Kingdom	The ocean liner ran aground off the Bahamas.[3] The passengers were transferred to Flavia ( Italy) and landed at Miami, Florida. Carmania was refloated on 17 January.[4]
President Jefferson	United States	The cargo ship ran aground at 10°20′N 107°10′E / 10.333°N 107.167°E. Refloated on 18 January with assistance from USS YLLC-5 ( United States Navy).[5]

31 January

List of shipwrecks: 31 January 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Sterlet	United States Navy	The decommissioned Balao-class submarine was sunk as a target by the submarine USS Sargo ( United States Navy).

February

6 February

List of shipwrecks: 6 February 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS ATC-132-1	United States Navy	The armoured troop carrier capsized off Vietnam. Salvaged by USS YLLC-5 and floating crane YD-220 and refloated the next day.[5]
USS Redfish	United States Navy	The decommissioned Balao-class auxiliary submarine was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego, California, by the auxiliary submarine USS Medregal ( United States Navy).

9 February

List of shipwrecks: 9 February 1969

Ship	Country	Description
London II	Greece	Foundered off Moni, Cyprus.[6]

10 February

List of shipwrecks: 10 February 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Lukia M	Greece	The cargo ship sprang a leak off Barren Island in the South China Sea (29°29′N 124°16′E / 29.483°N 124.267°E) and was abandoned. She was towed to Shanghai and seized by the Chinese Government.

11 February

List of shipwrecks: 11 February 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS PTC-71	United States Navy	The Torpedo Patrol Boat was sunk by an enemy missile near Mui Boi Bung, Vietnam. Salvaged the next day and towed to Vung Tau by USS Pivot ( United States Navy).[5]

12 February

List of shipwrecks: 12 February 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Flying Petrel	United Kingdom	The tug ran aground at Cape Kaliakra, Romania and was abandoned. She was on a voyage from Piraeus, Greece to Sulina, Romania.[7]

13 February

List of shipwrecks: 13 February 1969

Ship	Country	Description
HMAS Arunta	Royal Australian Navy	The decommissioned Tribal-class destroyer capsized and sank in the Tasman Sea off Australia′s Broken Bay while under tow to a scrapyard.

24 February

List of shipwrecks: 24 February 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Sevilla	West Germany	The cargo ship sank in the Elbe following a collision with Nette Skou ( Denmark). All fifteen crew rescued by a West German fireboat.[8]

March

1 March

List of shipwrecks: 1 March 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Day	United States Navy	The decommissioned Rudderow-class destroyer escort was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off San Clemente Island, California.

11 March

List of shipwrecks: 11 March 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Shun Tai	Somalia	The cargo ship collided in the Singapore Strait 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south of Singapore with World Carrier 3 (flag unknown) and sank.[9]

19 March

List of shipwrecks: 19 March 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Garden City	Liberia	The cargo ship sank after colliding with Zagłębie Dąbrowskie ( Poland) in foggy weather off Margate, Kent.[10][11]

25 March

List of shipwrecks: 25 March 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Samuel S	Liberia	The Liberty ship ran aground on Kuchinoerabu Island, Japan (30°25′N 130°14′E / 30.417°N 130.233°E) and broke in two.[12]

26 March

List of shipwrecks: 26 March 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Charles F. Hughes	United States Navy	The decommissioned Benson-class destroyer was sunk as a target in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Virginia.

Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Poseidon	Panama	Ran aground off the Italian coast. Repairs uneconomic and subsequently scrapped.
Irene	Liberia	The cargo ship ran aground off South Ronaldsay, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom.[13]
Miss Kay	South Vietnam	The tug foundered off the mouth of the Soi Rap River. Refloated on 21 March.[5]
USS M 111-1	United States Navy	The Landing Craft Mechanized capsized off South Vietnam. Salvaged on 19 April and towed to Nha Be by USS YLLC-5 ( United States Navy) the next day.[5]

April

3 April

List of shipwrecks: 3 April 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Tills	United States Navy	The decommissioned Cannon-class destroyer escort was sunk as a target in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Virginia.

4 April

List of shipwrecks: 4 April 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Pacstar	Liberia	The Liberty ship ran aground in Tokyo Bay, a total loss.[14]

6 April

List of shipwrecks: 6 April 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Union Faith	Republic of China	The freighter was in collision with oil barges on the Mississippi. The ship was engulfed in flames and sank, with the loss of 25 persons, including all on the bridge[15]

11 April

List of shipwrecks: 11 April 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Alfonso Tercero	Spain	The coaster sank 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) north of the Noordhinder Lightship, off the Netherlands following a collision with Brasilia ( Sweden) in foggy weather. All crew were rescued by Brasilia.[16][17]

18 April

List of shipwrecks: 18 April 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Vigia	United Kingdom	The supply vessel sank in the North Sea. All three crew were rescued by a Dutch trawler and landed in the Netherlands.[18]

29 April

List of shipwrecks: 29 April 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS ASPB 132-1	United States Navy	The Assault Support Patrol Boat struck a mine in the Song Cai Tu River, Vietnam and sank. Salvaged on 1 May.[5][19]

May

7 May

List of shipwrecks: 7 May 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Capetan Panaos	Panama	The cargo ship ran aground in the Black Sea at Kilyos, Turkey. Refloated on 22 May and beached at Büyükdere. Refloated on 9 August, subsequently sold for scrapping.[9]

15 May

List of shipwrecks: 15 May 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USCGC Casco	United States Coast Guard	The decommissioned Casco-class cutter was sunk as a target by two torpedo hits in the North Atlantic Ocean at 36°40′00″N 024°16′00″W / 36.66667°N 24.26667°W.
USS Guitarro	United States Navy	Guitarro after sinking. The Sturgeon-class submarine sank at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California due to errors in the management of her ballast tanks. Refloated on 18 May, but commissioning delayed by 32 months whilst repairs were carried out.

20 May

List of shipwrecks: 20 May 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Seiho Maru	Japan	The coaster sank after a collision with Energy Evolution ( Liberia) off Nagasaki. Four of her thirteen crew were killed and two others reported missing.[20]

Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS PBR 7520	United States Navy	The River Patrol Boat was hit by two rockets and beached on fire. Equipment salvaged by USS YLLC-1 ( United States Navy) and delivered to Nha Be, Vietnam.[5]

June

3 June

List of shipwrecks: 3 June 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Frank E. Evans	United States Navy	USS Frank E. Evans after the collision with HMAS Melbourne The Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer was cut in two in a collision with HMAS Melbourne ( Royal Australian Navy) in the South China Sea. The bow section sank, whilst the stern section remained afloat. Seventy-four crew killed on board Frank E. Evans.

16 June

List of shipwrecks: 16 June 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Maringa	Brazil	The Liberty ship foundered off the coast of Brazil (11°30′S 37°15′W / 11.500°S 37.250°W.[21]

17 June

List of shipwrecks: 17 June 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Sitakund	Norway	The stern section, which had been beached off Eastbourne, East Sussex, refloated itself, drifted past Eastbourne Pier and ran aground to the east of the town.[22]

24 June

List of shipwrecks: 24 June 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Beale	United States Navy	The decommissioned Fletcher-class destroyer was sunk as a target in the Atlantic Ocean 250 nautical miles (463 km) east of the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.
USS Richard S. Bull	United States Navy	The decommissioned John C. Butler-class destroyer escort was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.

25 June

List of shipwrecks: 25 June 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Andromachi	Greece	The cargo ship was shelled and set of fire at Suez, Egypt and was abandoned. She was scrapped in March 1976.[9]
Captain George K	Liberia	The Liberty ship suffered a fractured hull in the Indian Ocean. She was declared a constructive total loss.[2]

27 June

List of shipwrecks: 27 June 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Snowden	United States Navy	The decommissioned Edsall-class destroyer escort was sunk as a target.

29 June

List of shipwrecks: 29 June 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Sincere	Netherlands	The cargo ship burned and sank off Bunguran Island, Indonesia.

July

4 July

List of shipwrecks: 4 July 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Witek	United States Navy	The decommissioned Gearing-class destroyer was sunk as a target in the Atlantic Ocean off Virginia.

16 July

List of shipwrecks: 16 July 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Manta	United States Navy	The decommissioned Balao-class submarine was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Hampton Roads, Virginia, as a target for aircraft.
USS Tullibee	United States Navy	The decommissioned Balao-class submarine was sunk as a target in the Atlantic Ocean off Norfolk, Virginia.

25 July

List of shipwrecks: 25 July 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Silja	Norway	The tanker sank following a collision with Ville de Majunga ( France) off Toulon, France. Two crew killed and a further eighteen reported missing.[23]

Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1969

Ship	Country	Description
HQ-1224	Republic of Vietnam Navy	The armored troop carrier sank at Ta Cru, South Vietnam. Salvaged on 31 July by USS CSB-2 ( United States Navy).[5]
USS Richey	United States Navy	The decommissioned Edsall-class destroyer escort was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off California.

August

2 August

List of shipwrecks: 2 August 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Bethlehem	Liberia	The cargo ship sank with the loss of five crew.[24]

18 August

List of shipwrecks: 18 August 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Hulda	Liberia	Hurricane Camille: The cargo liner was driven ashore at Gulfport, Mississippi, United States. Declared a constructive total loss and scrapped in situ.[9]

25 August

List of shipwrecks: 25 August 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Noongah	Australia	Foundered on a voyage between Newcastle and Townsville with the loss of 21 lives.[25]

September

16 September

List of shipwrecks: 16 September 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Trepang	United States Navy	The decommissioned Balao-class auxiliary submarine was sunk as a gunnery target by the destroyers USS Fechteler and USS Henderson (both  United States Navy).

22 September

List of shipwrecks: 22 September 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Agromayer	Spain	The cargo ship was driven onto rocks 18 nautical miles (33 km) north west of Göteborg, Sweden and later sank at 57°53.630′N 11°26.970′E / 57.893833°N 11.449500°E. One of the twenty people on board was killed.[26][27]
An unidentified ship	United Kingdom	ran aground near Göteborg, Sweden, with the loss of at least 15 of her crew.[26]
USS Sandpumper	United States Navy	The dredger sank at Đồng Tâm, Vietnam after dredging up a piece of unexploded ordnance, which exploded on board. Salvage operationw involving USS Crilly and USS Crandall abandoned on 30 December.[5]

23 September

List of shipwrecks: 23 September 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Angel Gabriel	Greece	The tanker ran aground near Marsaskala, Malta in a storm. One person was killed of the 50 on board.[28]

October

2 October

List of shipwrecks: 2 October 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USNS Bronstrom	United States Navy	Ran aground off Vung Tau, South Vietnam. Refloated that day by USS YLLC-3 ( United States Navy) and five tugs.[5]

4 October

List of shipwrecks: 4 October 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Splendid Sky	Panama	The Liberty ship ran aground in the Scheldt. She was declared a constructive total loss and scrapped.[2]

7 October

List of shipwrecks: 7 October 1969

Ship	Country	Description
HQ-6529	Republic of Vietnam Navy	The monitor struck a mine and sank south of Kien An, Vietnam. Salvaged by the United States Navy on 11 October and towed to Dong Tam for repairs.[5]

8 October

List of shipwrecks: 8 October 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Barton	United States Navy	The decommissioned Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer was sunk as a target in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Virginia.

10 October

List of shipwrecks: 10 October 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Frank E. Evans	United States Navy	Stern section sunk as a target at U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay, Zambales, Philippines.

14 October

List of shipwrecks: 14 October 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Madison	United States Navy	The decommissioned Benson-class destroyer was sunk as a target in the Atlantic Ocean off southeastern Florida.

28 October

List of shipwrecks: 28 October 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Vincennes	United States Navy	The decommissioned Cleveland-class light cruiser was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off Point Mugu, California, during missile experiments.

Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date October 1969

Ship	Country	Description
HQ-1237	Republic of Vietnam Navy	The armored troop carrier sank at Thoi Benh, South Vietnam. Salvaged by USS Satyr ( United States Navy) and towed to Dong Tam on 6 November.[5]
USCGC Matagorda	United States Coast Guard	The decommissioned Casco-class cutter was sunk as a target by the  United States Navy in the Pacific Ocean 72 nautical miles (133 km) off Hawaii in position 20°08′00″N 158°30′00″W / 20.13333°N 158.50000°W.
PBR-7547	Republic of Vietnam Navy	The river patrol boat was sunk near Tang Am, South Vietnam. Salvaged on 29 October by USS CSB-3 ( United States Navy) and taken to Tang Am.[5]

November

4 November

List of shipwrecks: 4 November 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Bailey	United States Navy	The decommissioned Benson-class destroyer was sunk as a target off Florida.

6 November

List of shipwrecks: 6 November 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Reliance Harmony	Panama	The Liberty ship collided with Maritime Express (flag unknown) and sank in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japan (32°18′N 131°45′E / 32.300°N 131.750°E).[29]

7 November

List of shipwrecks: 7 November 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Bream	United States Navy	The decommissioned Gato-class submarine was sunk as a target off California by the submarine USS Sculpin ( United States Navy).

19 November

List of shipwrecks: 19 November 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Burrfish	United States Navy	The decommissioned Balao-class submarine was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off San Clemente Island, California.

22 November

List of shipwrecks: 22 November 1969

Ship	Country	Description
New Jersey	United States Navy	The dredger sank after an explosion whilst dredging at Dong Tam, Vietnam. Refloated in December and towed to Singapore for repairs.[5]

27 November

List of shipwrecks: 27 November 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Hullman	United Kingdom	The tug capsized and sank off Grimsby whilst towing Conoco Arrow ( Liberia), killing three of her ten crew.[30]

Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1969

Ship	Country	Description
HQ-5135 and HQ-1234	Republic of Vietnam Navy	The assault support patrol boat and armored troop carrier were sunk at Dong Hung, South Vietnam. Salvaged from 9–16 November by a joint Republic of Vietnam Navy and United States Navy operation. Towed to Dong Tam for repairs.[5]

December

14 December

List of shipwrecks: 14 December 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Metric	West Germany	The coaster sank off Pembrokeshire after her cargo shifted in stormy weather. All crew rescued by Vega ( Finland) and landed at Fishguard.[31]

15 December

List of shipwrecks: 15 December 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Marpessa	United Kingdom	The tanker sank 50 nautical miles (93 km) north west of Dakar, Senegal after an explosion and fire on 12 December.[32]

16 December

List of shipwrecks: 16 December 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Romulus	Panama	The cargo ship foundered in the mouth of the Adour, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France. Six of her 25 crew were killed.[33]

19 December

List of shipwrecks: 19 December 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Iredell County	United States Navy	The Landing Ship, Tank ran aground in the Cochien River, Vietnam. Salvage operation involving USS Chowanoc, USS Current and USS Reclaimer ( United States Navy) resulted in the ship being refloated on 25 December.[5]

25 December

List of shipwrecks: 25 December 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Rosa Vlassi	Greece	The cargo ship capsized and sank in the Mediterranean Sea (37°37′N 24°02′E / 37.617°N 24.033°E).[9]

26 December

List of shipwrecks: 26 December 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Oregis	United Kingdom	The bulk carrier ran around at Workington, Cumberland. Refloated on 26 December.[34]

28 December

List of shipwrecks: 28 December 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Horis	Panama	The cargo ship sprang a leak in the Celebes Sea. She capsized and sank the next day 200 nautical miles (370 km) off Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia (3°53′N 119°23′E / 3.883°N 119.383°E).[9]

29 December

List of shipwrecks: 29 December 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Mactra	United Kingdom	The tanker suffered an explosion of her tanks whilst cleaning her tanks off the coast of Mozambique. One of her crew was injured.[35][36]

30 December

List of shipwrecks: 30 December 1969

Ship	Country	Description
Heinrich Hauschildt	West Germany	The coaster capsized and sank 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of Kiel.[37]

Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1969

Ship	Country	Description
USS Heyliger	United States Navy	The decommissioned John C. Butler-class destroyer escort was sunk as a target in the Atlantic Ocean by the United States Atlantic Fleet.
USS Pandemus	United States Navy	The decommissioned Achelous-class landing craft repair ship was sunk as a target in late 1969.
Lalor	Australia	The tug was scuttled off Townsville, Queensland.

References

1. "Japan inquiry into sinking". The Times (47542). London. 7 January 1969. col D-F, p. 20.
2. "LIBERTY SHIPS - S". Mariners. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
3. "Cunarder may end Caribbean cruise". The Times (57458). London. 4 January 1969. col D-E, p. 1.
4. "Carmania hauled free by tugs". The Times (57462). London. 18 January 1969. col G, p. 1.
5. "Harbor Clearance Unit One, Calendar year 1969, OPNAV Report 5750-1". Seastory. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
6. "Belgian Merchant P-Z" (PDF). Belgische Koopvaardij. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
7. "FLYING PETREL". Clydesite. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
8. "15 rescued from sinking ship". The Times (57494). London. 25 February 1969. col E, p. 5.
9. Mitchell, W H, and Sawyer, L A (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. p. not cited. ISBN 1-85044-275-4.
10. "MV Garden City (+1969)". Wrecksite. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
11. "Oil danger to beaches". The Times (57517). London. 24 March 1969. col C, p. 2.
12. "LIBERTY SHIPS - T - U - V". Mariners. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
13. "Rescue award". The Times (57558). London. 13 May 1969. col G, p. 2.
14. "LIBERTY SHIPS - W". Mariners. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
15. "Collision involving SS Union Faith and M/V Warren J. Doucet and tow on Mississippi River on April 6, 1969" (PDF). US Coast Guard & Marine Board of Investigation Report. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
16. "MV Alfonso Tercero (+1969)". Wrecksite. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
17. "Ship sinks in fog". The Times (57533). London. 12 April 1969. col G, p. 7.
18. "Gas vessel sinks". The Times (57539). London. 19 April 1969. col G, p. 3.
19. "Mined". Rivervet. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
20. "Japanese seamen die in collision". The Times (57565). London. 21 May 1969. col G, p. 4.
21. "LIBERTY SHIPS - N - O". Mariners. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
22. "Wreck adrift". The Times (57589). London. 18 June 1969. col E, p. 2.
23. "18 missing at sea". The Times (57622). London. 26 July 1969. col G, p. 5.
24. "Sea search fails". The Times (57630). London. 5 August 1969. col G, p. 6.
25. "Ship Wrecks of Australia". Geoff Kingman-Sugars. Retrieved 3 March 2009.
26. "British ship aground off Sweden". The Times (57672). London. 23 September 1969. col D-G, p. 1.
27. "Agromayer" (in Danish). Vragguiden. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
28. "Fight to save tanker crew in storm". The Times (57673). London. 24 September 1969. col C-F, p. 7.
29. "LIBERTY SHIPS - D". Mariners. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
30. "Hull tug sinks: 3 lost". The Times (57729). London. 28 November 1969. col C, p. 3.
31. "Rescuer swept to sea in gale". The Times (57743). London. 15 December 1969. col E, p. 1.
32. "Damaged giant tanker sinks". The Times (57743). London. 15 December 1969. col A, p. 1.
33. "Six lost as ship sinks in gale". The Times (57745). London. 17 December 1969. col A-C, p. 5.
34. "Port open again". The Times (57753). London. 29 December 1969. col F, p. 2.
35. "Explosion in second Shell tanker". The Times (57754). London. 30 December 1969. col D, p. 1.
36. "SS Mactra". Mowbars. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
37. "German ship lost". The Times (57755). London. 31 December 1969. col C, p. 4.

See also

Ship events in 1969
Ship launches:	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974
Ship commissionings:	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974
Ship decommissionings:	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974
Shipwrecks:	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974