Lists of shipwrecks facts for kids

Have you ever wondered about ships that disappeared beneath the waves? A shipwreck is what's left of a ship after it's been destroyed or damaged so badly that it can't sail anymore. Shipwrecks can happen for many reasons, like bad weather, hitting rocks, accidents with other ships, or even during wars. These sunken vessels often become amazing underwater museums, telling stories of the past. This page helps you find lists of shipwrecks, organized in different ways.

Shipwrecks by Location

Shipwrecks are found all over the world, from shallow coastal waters to the deepest parts of the ocean. Each location has its own history of ships that met their end there.

• List of shipwrecks of Africa
• List of shipwrecks of Asia
• List of shipwrecks of Europe
  • List of shipwrecks of France
  • List of shipwrecks of the United Kingdom
    • List of shipwrecks of England
• List of shipwrecks of North America
  • List of shipwrecks of Canada
  • List of shipwrecks of the United States
    • List of shipwrecks of California
    • List of shipwrecks of Florida
    • List of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes
    • List of shipwrecks of Massachusetts
    • List of shipwrecks of North Carolina
    • List of shipwrecks of Oregon
• List of shipwrecks of South America
• List of shipwrecks of Oceania
  • List of shipwrecks of Australia
• List of shipwrecks in international waters
  • List of shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean
  • List of shipwrecks in the Pacific Ocean
  • List of shipwrecks in the Indian Ocean

Shipwrecks Through Time

Ships have been sailing and sinking for thousands of years! Looking at shipwrecks by date helps us understand how sea travel changed over time and what big events caused many ships to be lost.

Ancient Times to Early 1900s

From ancient Roman ships to grand sailing vessels of the 1800s, many ships were lost to storms, hidden reefs, or even pirates. These older shipwrecks offer clues about ancient trade routes and how people lived long ago.

• Before AD 1
• AD 1 – 1000
• 1001–1100
• 1101–1200
• 1201–1300
• 1301–1400
• 1401–1500
• 1501–1600
• 1601–1699
• 1700–1799
• 1800–1899
• 1900–1909
• 1910–1913

Shipwrecks During World War I (1914-1918)

World War I saw a huge increase in shipwrecks, especially due to submarine attacks and naval battles. Many passenger ships and cargo vessels were sunk during this time.

• 1914
• 1915
• 1916
• 1917
• 1918

Shipwrecks Between the World Wars (1919-1938)

Even in peacetime, ships continued to be lost due to accidents, storms, or other issues. This period also includes some early shipwrecks from conflicts leading up to World War II.

• 1919
• 1920–1929
• 1930–1938

Shipwrecks During World War II (1939-1945)

World War II caused the greatest number of shipwrecks in history. Naval battles, submarine warfare, and air attacks led to thousands of ships being sunk, including huge battleships and aircraft carriers.

• 1939
• 1940
• 1941
• 1942
• 1943
• 1944
• 1945

Modern Shipwrecks (After 1945)

Even with modern technology, ships still sink. Accidents, severe weather, and sometimes even piracy can lead to shipwrecks today. These modern wrecks can be important for environmental reasons or for understanding recent maritime history.

• 1946–1949
• 1950–1959
• 1960–1969
• 1970–1979
• 1980–1989
• 1990–1999
• 2000–2009
• 2010–2019
• 2020–present

Warships and Their Fates

Warships are built to be tough, but many have been sunk in battles or by accidents. These lists focus on military ships and how they were lost.

Different Types of Sunken Warships

• List of sunken aircraft carriers
• List of sunken battlecruisers
• List of sunken battleships
• List of sunken nuclear submarines

Warships Lost in Specific Conflicts

• List of warships sunk during the Russo-Japanese War
• List of hospital ships sunk in World War I
• List of maritime disasters in World War I
• List of foreign ships wrecked or lost in the Spanish Civil War
• List of maritime disasters in World War II

Warships Lost by Navy

• List of ships sunk by the Imperial Japanese Navy
• List of Allied ships lost to Italian surface vessels in the Mediterranean (1940–43)
• List of wrecked or lost ships of the Ottoman steam navy

How Ships Were Sunk

• List of ships sunk by missiles

Explore More About Shipwrecks

• Category: Lists of shipwrecks by year
• List of wreck diving sites

de:Liste der Katastrophen der Seefahrt