Thanks to generous support from Lloyds Register Foundation, Ministry of Defence(Salvage & Marine), the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the UK Receiver ofWreck, the list now incorporates data on over 7,000 vessels recorded as sunk ordestroyed in Naval or Government service from the wrecking of the Dieu Gardeunder Edward III in 1343 to the sinking of HMS Scylla as an artificial reef in 2004.
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The Royal Navy Loss List traces its origin to work started by MAST in 2014. As part of a team undertaking the 2001 UNESCO Convention Impact Review for the United Kingdom, we funded and undertook a major assessment of the international spread of UK sovereign wrecks.
The aim of the Impact Review project was to produce an objective evidential assessment of the impacts of the ratification of the Convention for the UK. This assessment identified almost 4,000 Royal Naval wrecks scattered across the oceans of the world, covering the period between 1605 and 2004.
Other members of the team include archaeologist John Gribble, Bob Yorke of the Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee (JNAPC), Dave Parham, senior lecturer at Bournemouth University, Mike Williams, maritime lawyer and research fellow at Plymouth University, Virginia Dellino-Musgrave of Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology (HWTMA), Anthony Firth of Fjordr and Simon Davidson of Wessex Archaeology.
The List is compiled from numerous sources. The main publications and websites are 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.
While we work hard to regularly update The List, MAST and our partners cannot be held responsible for inaccurate, outdated or missing information related to any entry in The List.
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, e.g., 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 cannot 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’.
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).
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.
Where a wreck is subject to heritage legislation this is noted. Users should note that legislation is regularly updated and data in The List may not be accurate.
The risk of pollution from historic wrecks is now widely recognised. Thanks to the Ministry of Defence Salvage and Marine Team and funding from Lloyds Register Foundation we have been able to include estimates of the quantity of oil and fuels contained on wrecks for the first time. Users should note that figures included in The List may not be accurate.
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.