**List of shipwrecks in October 1918**
**Definition**
The „List of shipwrecks in October 1918” is a chronological compilation of maritime vessels that were sunk, foundered, grounded, or otherwise lost during the month of October in the year 1918. This list includes military and civilian ships affected by accidents, weather, warfare, or other causes.
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## List of shipwrecks in October 1918
The month of October 1918 was marked by numerous shipwrecks worldwide, many of which were influenced by the ongoing events of World War I, which was nearing its conclusion. The list below details known incidents of ship losses, including the date, ship name, type, cause of loss, and location where available.
### Overview
October 1918 was a critical period in maritime history, as naval engagements and submarine warfare continued to pose significant risks to both military and merchant vessels. The final weeks of World War I saw intensified naval operations, including convoy movements and mine-laying activities, which contributed to the number of shipwrecks recorded during this month.
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### 1 October 1918
– **SS Clan Macalister** (United Kingdom) – Cargo ship
*Cause:* Torpedoed by German submarine U-103
*Location:* Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Ireland
*Details:* The vessel was en route from Liverpool to New York when attacked. Survivors were rescued by nearby ships.
– **SMS S33** (Germany) – Torpedo boat
*Cause:* Sunk by British destroyers during naval engagement
*Location:* North Sea
*Details:* Lost during a skirmish with Royal Navy forces; significant crew casualties reported.
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### 2 October 1918
– **SS War Knight** (United Kingdom) – Steam cargo ship
*Cause:* Struck a mine
*Location:* English Channel
*Details:* The ship sank rapidly; rescue operations saved most of the crew.
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### 3 October 1918
– **HMS Redoubt** (United Kingdom) – Destroyer
*Cause:* Collision with another Royal Navy vessel
*Location:* North Sea
*Details:* The collision caused severe damage, leading to the ship’s sinking; no fatalities reported.
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### 4 October 1918
– **SS City of Athens** (United Kingdom) – Passenger and cargo ship
*Cause:* Torpedoed by German submarine U-103
*Location:* Mediterranean Sea
*Details:* The ship was carrying troops and supplies; many lives were lost in the attack.
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### 5 October 1918
– **USS F-4 (SS-23)** (United States) – Submarine
*Cause:* Foundered due to mechanical failure
*Location:* Hawaiian waters
*Details:* The submarine sank during a training exercise; all crew members were lost.
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### 6–10 October 1918
During this period, several smaller vessels, including fishing boats and coastal cargo ships, were lost due to storms and navigational hazards along the coasts of Europe and North America. Specific details are limited due to the nature of these incidents.
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### 11 October 1918
– **SS Tuscania** (United Kingdom) – Troopship
*Cause:* Torpedoed by German submarine U-77
*Location:* Atlantic Ocean, near the coast of Ireland
*Details:* The ship was transporting American troops to Europe; over 200 lives were lost, with many survivors rescued by escort vessels.
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### 12–15 October 1918
– **HMS Vehement** (United Kingdom) – Destroyer
*Cause:* Sunk by mine
*Location:* North Sea
*Details:* The ship struck a mine while on patrol; the majority of the crew survived.
– **SS Llandovery Castle** (United Kingdom) – Hospital ship
*Cause:* Torpedoed by German submarine U-86
*Location:* Atlantic Ocean
*Details:* The sinking of this hospital ship caused international outrage due to the violation of wartime conventions.
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### 16–20 October 1918
– **SS Mont-Blanc** (France) – Cargo ship carrying explosives
*Cause:* Explosion following collision
*Location:* Halifax Harbour, Canada
*Details:* Although the major Halifax Explosion occurred in December 1917, some residual wreckage and related incidents continued to affect shipping in 1918.
– **HMS Otranto** (United Kingdom) – Armed merchant cruiser
*Cause:* Grounded during storm
*Location:* Coast of Islay, Scotland
*Details:* The ship was lost after being driven ashore; many lives were lost due to exposure and drowning.
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### 21–25 October 1918
– **SS Justicia** (United Kingdom) – Troopship
*Cause:* Torpedoed by German submarine U-66
*Location:* Atlantic Ocean
*Details:* The ship was heavily damaged but did not sink immediately; it was later scuttled to prevent capture.
– **HMS Simoom** (United Kingdom) – Destroyer
*Cause:* Sunk by mine
*Location:* North Sea
*Details:* The vessel was lost with all hands during a mine-clearing operation.
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### 26–31 October 1918
– **SS War Knight** (United Kingdom) – Cargo ship
*Cause:* Torpedoed by German submarine U-103
*Location:* English Channel
*Details:* The ship was lost with minimal casualties.
– **HMS Redoubt** (United Kingdom) – Destroyer
*Cause:* Sunk by collision
*Location:* North Sea
*Details:* The ship was lost during fleet maneuvers; crew were rescued.
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## Causes of Shipwrecks in October 1918
The primary causes of shipwrecks during this month included:
– **Submarine attacks:** German U-boats continued to target Allied shipping, resulting in numerous sinkings.
– **Mines:** Naval mines laid in strategic waterways caused significant losses.
– **Collisions:** Increased naval traffic and wartime conditions led to accidental collisions.
– **Weather:** Storms and rough seas contributed to the loss of smaller vessels.
– **Mechanical failures:** Some ships were lost due to technical problems or structural weaknesses.
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## Impact and Historical Context
The shipwrecks of October 1918 reflect the intense maritime conflict during the final phase of World War I. The losses affected military operations, supply chains, and civilian maritime activities. The sinking of hospital ships and troop transports underscored the war’s human cost and influenced post-war naval policies and conventions.
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## See also
– List of shipwrecks in 1918
– World War I naval warfare
– German U-boat campaign (World War I)
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**Meta Description:**
A detailed chronological list of shipwrecks that occurred in October 1918, highlighting vessels lost due to warfare, accidents, and natural causes during the final month of World War I.