List of shipwrecks in 1953

The list of shipwrecks in 1953 includes ships sunk, foundered, grounded, or otherwise lost during 1953.

January

=1 January=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Attu Island

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=Carrying a cargo of 5,000 tons of cement and damaged earlier in her voyage when she struck a reef off Pennock Island in Southeast Alaska while under tow by the tug Hercules ({{flag|United States|1912}}), the {{convert|328|ft|m|1|adj=on}} LST-type barge capsized and sank bottom-up {{convert|0.5|nmi|1}} south of Bar Harbor in Ketchikan, Territory of Alaska. An attempt during the 1970s to refloat her failed.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-a/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (A)]

}}

=6 January=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Kelvinbank|1943|2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The Liberty ship was driven ashore on Ocean Island, Gilbert Islands. She was later refloated but struck the wreck of Ooma ({{flag|Gilbert Islands}}) and was abandoned.{{cite web |url=http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/LibShipsS.html |title=Liberty Ships – S |publisher=Mariners |accessdate=6 November 2016}}{{sfn|Sawyer|Mitchell|1985|p=50}}

}}

=8 January=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MV|Avanti||2}}

|flag={{flag|Sweden}}

|desc=The cargo ship broke in two north east of Okinawa, Japan. 40 crew rescued by {{SS|Eastern||2}}.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Crew's Ordeal in Pacific Gale |date=9 January 1953 |page=6 |issue=52515 |column=F }} At least 8 deaths.

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MS|Klipfontein|1939|2}}

|flag={{flag|Netherlands}}

|desc=File:Klipfontein-2.jpgThe cargo liner struck a submerged object {{convert|100|nmi|km}} north of Lourenço Marques, Mozambique and sank. All passengers and crew rescued by {{MV|Bloemfontein Castle||2}} ({{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}).{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Dutch Liner Sunk |date=9 January 1953 |page=6 |issue=52515 |column=F }}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MV|Maraat V||2}}

|flag={{flag|Netherlands}}

|desc=The cargo ship ran aground at Sea Palling, Norfolk, United Kingdom.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Dutch Ship aground |date=9 January 1953 |page=6 |issue=52515 |column=F }} Refloated on 9 January after being aground for 28 hours.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=News in Brief |date=10 January 1953 |page=3 |issue=52516 |column=E }} }}

=9 January=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{ill|Changgyeong-ho|ko|창경호 침몰 사고|vertical-align=sup}}

|flag={{flag|South Korea}}

|desc=According to South Korea Coast Guard official confirmed report, the passenger ferry, while sailing from Yeosu Port and headed to Busan Port, capsized {{convert|8|km}} southwest from Dadaepo area, Busan, South Korea. 229 people died and only seven people survived.:ko:창경호 침몰 사고 (Korean Language edition) Retrieved on 6 December 2020.{{Circular reference|date=June 2022}}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Jumper Hitch||2}}

|flag={{flag|United States}}

|desc=The cargo ship collided with another vessel off Japan. Reported to be in danger of sinking and requested assistance.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Collision Off Japan |date=10 January 1953 |page=6 |issue=52516 |column=D }}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{ship|RFA|Wave Commander|A244|6}}

|flag={{navy|United Kingdom|RFA}}

|desc=The {{sclass2|Wave|oiler||ship}} ran aground off Cape Henry, Virginia, United States. }}

=11 January=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Campo Grande||2}}

|flag={{flag|Spain|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship ran aground off the Cork Lightship, off the coast of Essex, United Kingdom.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Spanish Steamer Aground |date=12 January 1953 |page=6 |issue=52517 |column=G }} }}

=15 January=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|American Leader||2}}

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The cargo ship collided with {{SS|Chickasaw||2}} ({{flag|United States|1912}}) in New York Harbor. American Leader was severely damaged at the bows.

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|American Veteran||2}}

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The cargo ship was in collision with the ferry Gold Star Mother in New York Harbor. Both ships were damaged, with Gold Star Mother taking in water by the bows and having eleven of her 1,900 passengers injured.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Fog in New York Harbour |date=16 January 1953 |page=5 |issue=52521 |column=B }}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Esso Wilmington||2}}

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The tanker ran aground in New York Harbor. }}

=17 January=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|L F Mathies||2}}

|flag={{flag|West Germany}}

|desc=The cargo ship ran aground off Portishead, Somerset, United Kingdom. Later refloated and docked at Avonmouth.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=News in Brief |date=19 January 1953 |page=2 |issue=52523 |column=C }} }}

=18 January=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Santi||2}}

|flag={{flag|Spain|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship was in collision with {{MV|British Dragoon||2}} ({{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}) and sank off Cape Espichel, Portugal. Thirty-six survivors rescued by British Dragoon. }}

=21 January=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Arklow||2}}

|flag=flag unknown

|desc=The coaster ran aground off Avonmouth. Refloated the next day. }}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Palomares||2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship ran aground off Avonmouth. Refloated the next day.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Stranded Vessels Refloated |date=23 January 1953 |page=3 |issue=52527 |column=A }}

}}

=23 January=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Kent County||2}}

|flag={{flag|Norway}}

|desc=The ore carrier ran aground at Bell Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Norwegian Tanker Runs Aground in Blizard |date=24 January 1953 |page=5 |issue=52528 }} }}

=25 January=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{RMS|Empress of Canada|1928|2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The ocean liner caught fire, capsized and sank at Liverpool, Lancashire. Refloated and scrapped in 1954. }}

=30 January=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Clan Macquarrie|1942|2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship ran aground {{convert|10|nmi|km}} off the Butt of Lewis, Outer Hebrides.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Steamer Aground |date=31 January 1953 |page=6 |issue=52534 |column=F }} }}

= 31 January =

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{HMS|Berkeley Castle|K387|6}}

|flag={{navy|UK}}

|desc=The {{sclass2|Castle|corvette}} capsized in Sheerness Dockyard.{{sfn|Ogley|Currie|Davison|1991|p=94}}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Catharina Duyvis

|flag={{Flag|Netherlands|civil}}

|desc=The herring cutter sank in the North Sea during a severe windstorm. 16 fatalities.

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship= Guava

|flag={{Flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The Lowestoft motor trawler and her crew of eleven sank at roughly 53.50N 3.0E ({{convert|100|nmi|1}} east of the River Humber) in heavy gales during the night to 1 February.{{cite news |title=Trawler presumed lost |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS84234321/TTDA?u=nl_earl&sid=bookmark-TTDA&xid=68dbf08f |access-date=17 November 2024 |work=The Times |issue=52548 |date=17 February 1953 |location=London |page=5|via=Gale}}{{cite web |title=Report of Court: m.t. Guava |url=https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/SOTON_Documents/Plimsoll/21502.pdf |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |access-date=17 November 2024 |location=London |date=4 November 1953|via=Southampton Library}}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship= {{ship||Michael Griffith|trawler|2}}

|flag={{Flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The {{sclass2|Castle|trawler|1}} from Fleetwood, Lancashire, foundered in a severe storm off Barra Head, West Scotland, with the loss of all hands. 13 fatalities.{{cite web |url=http://www.plimsoll.org/resources/scclibraries/wreckreports2002/20605.asp?view=text |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005942/http://www.plimsoll.org/resources/scclibraries/wreckreports2002/20605.asp?view=text |url-status=usurped |archive-date=7 February 2018 |title=Wreck Report for 'Michael Griffith', 1953 |website=plimsoll.org |date=30 April 1954 |accessdate=6 February 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.yesterdaysfleetwood.co.uk/michael-griffith/ |title=Michael Griffith – a Fleetwood trawler overcome by the elements |first=Vivien |last=Roberts |date=8 May 2014 |website=yesterdaysfleetwood.co.uk |accessdate=6 February 2018}}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship= {{MV|Princess Victoria||2}}

|flag={{Flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The RORO passenger ferry sank in the North Channel during a severe windstorm. 133 fatalities.

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship= Salland

|flag={{Flag|Netherlands|civil}}

|desc=The coastal trading vessel sank in the North Sea near Egmond during a severe windstorm. Eight fatalities.

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Westland

|flag={{Flag|Netherlands|civil}}

|desc=The coastal trading vessel sank in the North Sea near Cuxhaven during a severe windstorm. Ten fatalities.

}}

February

=1 February=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{HMS|Sirdar|P226|6}}

|flag={{navy|United Kingdom}}

|desc=The S-class submarine was swamped by floods while in drydock at Sheerness Dockyard and sank. She was later raised, repaired, and returned to service. }}

=3 February=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship= {{MV|Westland|1931|2}}

|flag={{Flag|Netherlands}}

|desc=The ship foundered in the North Sea off Terschelling, Friesland with the loss of all seven crew.{{cite web |url=https://nltimes.nl/2019/11/18/sea-captain-found-dead-1953-identified-seven-decades-later |title=Sea captain found dead in 1953 identified seven decades later |first=Janene |last=Pieters |work=NL Times|accessdate=18 November 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?30606 |title=MV Westland [+1953] |publisher=Wrecksite |accessdate=18 November 2019}}

}}

=15 February=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Stanley Force||2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The coaster struck a submerged object and sank off Guernsey, Channel Islands.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Ship Sunk in the Channel |date=16 February 1953 |page=3 |issue=52547 |column=E }} }}

=26 February=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Huglen||2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship ran aground at Huglen, Norway.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=British Ship Aground |date=27 March 1953 |page=8 |issue=52557 |column=C }} }}

March

=1 March=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Baalbek||2}}

|flag={{flag|Norway}}

|desc=The cargo ship collided with the Great Nore Sands Fort, in the North Sea {{convert|5|nmi|km}} off Sheerness, Kent, United Kingdom. One of the seven towers of the fort collapsed and the ship ran aground. Four of the fourteen crew of the fort were reported missing.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Ship Hits Nore Fort in Fog |date=2 March 1953 |page=8 |issue=52559 |column=D }} }}

=2 March=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{ship||Siorak|schooner|2}}

|flag={{flag|Denmark}}

|desc=The schooner struck a rock and sank off Avigait. All ten crew rescued.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Ten Saved From Schooner Sinking |date=3 March 1953 |page=8 |issue=52560 |column=D }} }}

=3 March=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Loomis

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 15-gross register ton, {{convert|45.8|ft|m|1|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire in Jamestown Bay ({{coord|57|02|40|N|135|17|30|W|name=Jamestown Bay}}) in Southeast Alaska {{convert|3|nmi}} south of Sitka, Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-l/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (L)]

}}

=4 March=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Northumbrian Coast||2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship collided with {{MV|Egyptian Prince||2}} ({{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}) and was beached on the Mucking Flats in the Thames Estuary. }}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Rigel|1902|2}}

|flag={{flag|Sweden}}

|desc=The cargo ship collided with {{SS|Senegal||2}} ({{flag|Italy|civil}}) {{convert|25|nmi|km}} north of Margate, Kent, United Kingdom and sank. All 29 crew rescued by {{SS|Arnhem||2}} ({{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}).{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Ship Sunk in Channel |date=5 March 1953 |page=8 |issue=52562 |column=D }}

}}

=8 March=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{ship|Egyptian minesweeper|Sollum||2}}

|flag={{flagicon image|Flag of the Navy of Egypt (1922-1952).svg}} Royal Egyptian Navy

|desc=The {{sclass|Bangor|minesweeper|1}} sank {{convert|12|nmi|km}} off Alexandria with the loss of 53 of her 115 crew. The 63 survivors were rescued by {{SS|Czech||2}} ({{flag|Poland|state}}).{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Egyptian Ship Sunk |date=9 March 1953 |page=8 |issue=52565 |column=F }} }}

=10 March=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Southern Wind

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The yacht struck rocks and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France. All three people aboard were rescued.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=British Yacht Lost |date=11 March 1953 |page=7 |issue=52567 |column=D }}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Tahsis No. 3

|flag={{flag|Canada|1921}}

|desc=The bulk oil carrier sank after striking a rock in Welcome Pass north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. }}

=11 March=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Settsu Maru||2}}

|flag={{flag|Japan|1947}}

|desc=The whaling support ship sank in the Antarctic after being caught in pack ice, or due to an accident with her sea valve, or sea injection valves.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Japanese Whaling Ship Lost |date=19 March 1953 |page=6 |issue=52574 |column=D }}{{cite web |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/SettsuM_t.htm |title=Japanese Landing Craft Depot Ships |publisher=www.combinedfleet.com |access-date=5 December 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?174552 |title=Settsu Maru (+1953) |publisher=Wrecksite |access-date=5 December 2022}}

}}

=17 March=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Lairds Ben||2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship ran aground in the Clyde at Old Kilpatrick, Renfrewshire.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=News in Brief |date=18 March 1953 |page=3 |issue=52573 |column=B }} }}

=20 March=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MV|Milborne||2}}

|flag={{Flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The coaster ran aground off Anglesey. Refloated but leaking, towed by {{MV|Empire Punch||2}} ({{Flag|United Kingdom|civil}}) to Holyhead. Later repaired and returned to service. }}

=28 March=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{HDMS|Lougen|1941|6}}

|flag={{navy|Denmark}}

|desc=The minelayer was damaged by an onboard explosion at Rønne. Three crew were killed, seven were severely injured.{{Cite web |url=http://navalhistory.dk/English/Timeline/AccidentsAndLosses.htm |title=Sea Accidents and Losses |publisher=Danish Naval History |accessdate=24 December 2019 }}

}}

=29 March=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Mountcharles||2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship sank in the Bristol Channel. Crew rescued by {{ship|RFA|Black Ranger|A163|6}} ({{navy|United Kingdom|RFA}}).{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=News in Brief |date=5 October 1953 |page=4 |issue=52744 |column=G }} }}

April

=1 April=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MV|Ciudad de Palma||2}}

|flag={{flag|Spain|civil}}

|desc=The passenger ship ran aground at Cala Figuera, Mallorca. All 670 passengers and crew rescued.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=670 Rescued From Spanish Ship |date=2 April 1953 |page=7 |issue=25286 |column=D }} }}

=2 April=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Rolling Wave

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 13-gross register ton, {{convert|36.2|ft|m|1|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire at the Thomas Basin Float ({{coord|55|20|20|N|131|38|30|W|name=Thomas Basin Float}}) near Ketchikan, Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-r/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (R)]

}}

=4 April=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{ship|TCG|Dumlupınar|1950|6}}

|flag={{navy|Turkey}}

|desc=The {{sclass|Balao|submarine}} collided with {{SS|Naboland||2}} ({{flag|Sweden}}) and sank in the Dardanelles with the loss of 81 of her 86 crew. }}

=6 April=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{ship||Susan Vittery|schooner|2}}

|flag={{flag|Republic of Ireland}}

|desc=The schooner foundered in Dungarvan Bay. All crew survived.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Schooner Sunk Off Irish Coast |date=8 April 1953 |page=6 |issue=52590 |column=A }} }}

=7 April=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Sollum

|flag={{flagicon image|Flag of the Navy of Egypt (1922-1952).svg}} Royal Egyptian Navy

|desc=The Matrouth-class minesweeper foundered in heavy weather off Alexandria, Egypt.}}

=10 April=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MV|Angela||2}}

|flag={{flag|Finland}}

|desc=The coaster ran aground on Coll, Inner Hebrides, United Kingdom. All 12 crew survived.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Crew Escape From Grounded Ship |date=11 April 1953 |page=3 |issue=52593 |column=C }} }}

=13 April=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Taboga|1900|2}}

|flag={{flag|Panama}}

|desc=The cargo ship foundered {{convert|4|nmi|km}} west south west of Saint Mathieu Point, Ouessant, France.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title="Ship Sinking" Near Ushant |date=14 April 1953 |page=6 |issue=52595 |column=C }} }}

=14 April=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship= {{HMS|Conway|school ship|6}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=File:HMSConway2.jpg

The Mercantile Marine Service Association training ship, formerly a Rodney class 90 gun Ship-of-the-Line, ran aground in the Menai Strait and was subsequently declared a total loss. Her wreck was destroyed by a fire in 1956.

}}

=18 April=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Kronprins Frederick||2}}

|flag={{Flag|Denmark}}

|desc=The ferry caught fire at Harwich, Essex, United Kingdom and was burnt out and sank. Refloated and towed to Elsinore, Denmark in September 1953 for repair.{{cite web |url=http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?74433 |title=Kronprins Frederick (+1953) |publisher=Wrecksite |accessdate=23 September 2010}}{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Danish Welcome The Kronprins Frederick |date=19 September 1953 |page=5 |issue=52731 |column=D }} }}

=28 April=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Alert III

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The {{convert|65|ft|adj=on}} tug sank in {{convert|50|ft}} of water off the coast of Massachusetts in Buzzards Bay at {{coord|41|29|45|N|070|52|30|W|name=Alert III}}, halfway between Pasque Island and the Smith Point radome.{{Cite web| url=http://wreckhunter.net/DataPages/alertIII-dat.htm |title=Alert III | publisher=Hunting New England Shipwrecks |accessdate=27 January 2021 }} }}

May

=6 May=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{ship|TSS|Duke of York|1935|2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The ferry collided with {{USNS|Haiti Victory|T-AK-238|6}} ({{navy|United States|1912}}) {{convert|40|nmi|km}} east of Harwich, Essex and was cut in two. The bow section sank, three lives were lost of the 396 people on board. The stern section was towed to Harwich.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Railway Ship Cut in Two |date=7 May 1953 |page=8 |issue=52615 |column=D }} A new bow was built and Duke of York returned to service. }}

=9 May=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Supreme

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The {{convert|33.5|ft|m|adj=on}}, 7-gross register ton, fishing vessel sank at the Thomas Basin Float at Ketchikan in Southeast Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-s/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (S)]

}}

=11 May=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Henry Steinbrenner||2}}

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The {{convert|427|ft|m|0|adj=on}}, 4,719-gross register ton bulk carrier sank in Lake Superior {{convert|15|nmi}} south of Isle Royale Light with the loss of 17 of her 31 crew after her cargo hatch covers were lost during a storm.

}}

=17 May=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=F.P.B. 1023

|flag={{navy|UK}}

|desc=The fast patrol boat caught fire and sank at Aarhus, Denmark. {{HMS|Gay Archer|P1041|6}} ({{navy|UK}}) was damaged by the fire.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Explosion in Patrol Boat |date=18 May 1953 |page=6 |issue=52624 |column=F }}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{ship|Egyptian minesweeper|Nasr||2}}

|flag={{flagicon image|Flag of the Navy of Egypt (1922-1952).svg}} Royal Egyptian Navy

|desc=The {{sclass|Bangor|minesweeper|1}} collided with the steamship Jaguar ({{flag|Sweden}}) in Suez Bay and sank with the loss of her captain. The rest of her 111 crew were rescued.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Egyptian Warship Sinks |date=18 May 1953 |page=6 |issue=52624 |column=C }}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Swan

|flag={{flag|United States}}

|desc=The 23-gross register ton, {{convert|44.6|ft|m|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire off Takanis Bay ({{coord|57|55|N|136|31|W|name=Takanis Bay}}) on the southeast end of Yakobi Island in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-s/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (S)]

}}

=19 May=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Lady Wolmer||2}}

|flag={{Flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship ran aground on Cheju Island, Korea and broke up. All crew rescued by {{USS|Henrico|APA-45|6}} ({{navy|USA|1912}}) and a Royal Navy ship.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=British Ship Breaking Up on Rocks |date=23 May 1953 |page=6 |issue=52629 |column=B }} }}

=20 May=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Jerry

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 16-gross register ton, {{convert|52|ft|m|1|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire in the harbor at Cordova, Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-j/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (J)]

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MV|Lady Wolmar|1941|2}}

|flag={{flagcountry|British Hong Kong|red}}

|desc=The concrete ship was driven ashore on Cheju Island, South Korea ({{coord|33|32|N|126|50|E}}). She was on a voyage from Pusan to India. She was a total loss.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=365}}

}}

=24 May=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Andaman||2}}

|flag={{flag|Sweden}}

|desc=The cargo ship collided with {{SS|Fortune||2}} ({{flag|Panama}}) in the English Channel and sank in the South Goodwins. All crew rescued and landed at Dover, Kent.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Crews Rescued From Sunken Vessels |date=25 May 1953 |page=6 |issue=52630 |column=C }}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Ternefjell||2}}

|flag={{flag|Norway}}

|desc=The cargo ship collided with {{SS|Dotterell||2}} ({{Flag|United Kingdom|civil}}) off Start Point, Devon and sank. All 26 crew rescued by Dotterell. }}

=26 May=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Maggie

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 12-gross register ton, {{convert|30.3|ft|m|1|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire near Anchor Point in Cook Inlet on the south-central coast of the Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-m/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (M)]

}}

June

=4 June=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Serapide||2}}

|flag={{Flag|Italy|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship sank off Cape Palos, Spain. All 24 crew rescued by {{ship|Spanish destroyer|Legazpi|F-42|2}} ({{navy|Spain|1945}}).{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Crew of 24 Saved By Spanish Warship |date=5 June 1953 |page=5 |issue=52640 |column=C }} }}

=7 June=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Phoenix|1944|2}}

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The tanker collided in the Delaware River with {{SS|Pan Massachusetts||2}} ({{flag|United States|1912}}) and sank at Delaware City, Delaware. Both ships caught fire and were total losses.{{cite web |url=http://www.aukevisser.nl/t2tanker/id764.htm |title=Phoenix |publisher=Auke Visser |accessdate=23 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401210743/http://www.aukevisser.nl/t2tanker/id764.htm |archive-date=1 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=American Tankers in Collision |date=8 June 1953 |page=6 |issue=52642 |column=D }} }}

=16 June=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Brand V||2}}

|flag={{Flag|Norway}}

|desc=The cruise ship ran aground at Ålesund and was a total loss. All passengers and crew were rescued.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Norwegian Cruise Ship Strikes Rock |date=17 June 1953 |page=6 |issue=52650 |column=E }} }}

=11 May=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Scotiadoc||2}}

|flag={{flag|Canada|1921}}

|desc=The {{convert|424|ft|m|0|adj=on}}, 4,432-gross register ton bulk carrier sank with the loss of one life in {{convert|850|ft|0}} of water in Lake Superior off Trowbridge Island, near the Sleeping Giant on the Sibley Peninsula in Ontario, Canada, after colliding in heavy fog with the steamer {{SS|Burlington||2}} ({{flag|Canada|1921}}). There were 30 survivors.

}}

=26 June=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Mary Pat

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 10-gross register ton, {{convert|27.7|ft|m|1|adj=on}} motor vessel was destroyed by fire in Bristol Bay off the coast of the Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-m/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (M)]

}}

July

=2 July=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MV|Sangola||2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The passenger ship ran aground in the Hooghly River at Budge Budge, India.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=British India Ship Aground |date=3 July 1953 |page=5 |issue=52664 |column=D }}

}}

=7 July=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Cornhusker Mariner||2}}

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The cargo ship ran aground at Pusan, Korea and broke in two. The stern section was salvaged by {{USS|Current|ARS-22|6}} ({{navy|United States|1912}}).{{cite web |url=http://www.trumanlibrary.org/hstpaper/mcguirech.htm |title=Charles H. McGuire Papers |publisher=Harry S. Truman Library and Museum |accessdate=4 May 2012}}{{cite DANFS |title=Current |url=http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/auxil/ars22.htm |accessdate=4 May 2012}} }}

=14 July=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Jacob Luckenbach|1944|2}}

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The cargo ship collided with {{SS|Hawaiian Pilot||2}} ({{flag|United States|1912}}) and sank {{convert|18|nmi|km}} southwest of San Francisco, California.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=U.S. Cargo Ship Lost After Collision |date=15 July 1953 |page=8 |issue=52674 |column=E }}

}}

=16 July=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Three unidentified landing ships

|flag={{nowrap begin}}{{navy|Republic of China}}{{nowrap end}}

|desc=Chinese Civil War: Second Battle of Dongshan Island: The landing ships were sunk in a harbor on the coast of Dongshan Island in China by mortar fire that detonated their cargoes of ammunition.{{cite web |url=http://www.soviet-empire.com/ussr/viewtopic.php?f=149&t=50411 |title=Chinese Naval Battles (Civil War and later) (redone) |accessdate=17 December 2018}}}}

=20 July=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=A R 5

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 8-gross register ton, {{convert|27.5|ft|m|1|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire near Red Bluff ({{coord|58|04|N|157|29|W|name=Red Bluff}}) on the Bristol Bay coast of the Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-a/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (A)]

}}

=23 July=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Pan Georgia|1944|2}}

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The tanker exploded and was burnt out at Wilmington, Delaware. Consequently laid up, subsequently converted to dredger.{{cite web |url=http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/T2G.html |title=T2 TANKERS - G - H - I |publisher=Mariners |accessdate=25 October 2016}}

}}

=26 July=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship= {{SS|Duero||2}}

|flag={{flag|Spain|civil}}

|desc=Collided with {{SS|Culrain||2}} ({{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}) and sank in the Strait of Gibraltar ({{coord|35|37|N|5|25|W}}). All 28 crew saved.{{cite web |url=http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/WWIStandardShipsL-W.htm#L-M-N |title=WWI Standard Built Ships L - W |publisher=Mariners |accessdate=8 May 2011}}{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Crew of Spanish Ship Rescued |date=27 July 1953 |page=5 |issue=52684 |column=E }} }}

August

=9 August=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{ship|TSS|St Columba||2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The ferry ran aground in Ettrick Bay, Kyles of Bute, Buteshire. Refloated the same day.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=300 Passengers Taken From Grounded Ship |date=10 August 1953 |page=3 |issue=52696 |column=C }} }}

=11 August=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Sacco No. 3

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 28-gross register ton, {{convert|55.2|ft|m|adj=on}} scow was wrecked {{convert|2.5|nmi|km}} southeast of Ocean Cape ({{coord|59|32|30|N|39|51|30|W|name=Ocean Cape}}), Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-s/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (S)]

}}

=19 August=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Else Basse

|flag={{flag|Denmark}}

|desc=File:330-PS-6135-2 (17232281942).jpg The cargo ship caught fire off Cape Anguille, Newfoundland, Canada and was abandoned. Her 24 crew and a passenger were rescued by {{SS|Corner Brook|1925|2}} ({{Flag|United Kingdom|civil}}.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Danish Freighter on Fire |date=20 August 1953 |page=5 |issue=52705 |column=B }} She was subsequently repaired and returned to service as the Finnish Kaarina.{{cite web |url=https://kauppalaiva.nba.fi/card.php?id=938&lang=en |title=Ship Card#938 |publisher=Finnish Mercantile Marine Database |accessdate=14 February 2024}}

}}

=31 August=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MV|Akademik Karpinsky||2}}

|flag={{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}

|desc=The cargo ship foundered on a voyage between Kaliningrad and Amsterdam. }}

September

=3 September=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MV|Raeburn||2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship ran aground at the Monkstone Rock Lighthouse in the Bristol Channel.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=News in Brief |date=5 September 1953 |page=2 |issue=52719 |column=G }} }}

=7 September=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Eugenia

|flag={{flag|Panama}}

|desc=Hurricane Carol: The cargo ship was driven ashore at Provincetown, Massachusetts. Crew taken off by breeches buoy.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Bermuda Hurricane Moving North |date=8 September 1953 |page=8 |issue=52721 |column=D }}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Lomela

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 42-gross register ton, {{convert|51.6|ft|m|1|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire in the Gulf of Alaska approximately {{convert|19|nmi}} southeast of Kodiak, Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-l/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (L)]

}}

=8 September=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Liberté||2}}

|flag={{flag|France}}

|desc=The ocean liner ran aground at Le Havre. Refloated that day.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Liberté Goes Aground |date=9 September 1953 |page=8 |issue=52722 |column=F }} }}

=9 September=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{ship|Ecuadorian yacht|Esmereldas||2}}

|flag={{navy|Ecuador}}

|desc=The naval yacht ran aground in the Gunyas River and was declared a total loss.{{cite DANFS |title=Turquoise |url=http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/patrol/pc459.htm |accessdate=2 May 2012}} }}

=21 September=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Greenville||2}}

|flag={{flag|Liberia}}

|desc=The cargo ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean with the loss of one crewmember. The 25 survivors were rescued by {{SS|Île de France||2}} ({{flag|France}}).{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Liberian Crew Saved By French Liner |date=22 September 1953 |page=8 |issue=52733 |column=D }}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{nowrap begin}}Libby, McNeill & Libby X No. 2{{nowrap end}}

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 34-gross register ton, {{convert|56|ft|m|1|adj=on}} scow sank at Yakutat, Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-l/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (L)]

}}

=23 September=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{ship|RFA|Wave Ruler|A212|6}}

|flag={{Navy|UK|RFA}}

|desc=The {{sclass2|Wave|oiler||ship}} ran aground off Swansea, Wales. Refloated on 5 October and returned to service. }}

=27 September=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Walrus

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 21-gross register ton, {{convert|41|ft|m|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire at Lincoln Rock in Clarence Strait in the Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-w/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (W)] }}

=29 September=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{HMS|Tyrian|R67|6}}

|flag={{navy|UK}}

|desc=The {{sclass2|S and T|destroyer}} ran aground in the North Sea {{convert|17|nmi|km}} east south east of Cromer, Norfolk, England. Later refloated.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Frigate Freed After Running Aground |date=30 September 1953 |page=6 |issue=52740 |column=F }} }}

=30 September=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{USS|Rockford|PF-48|6}}

|flag={{navy|United States|1912}}

|desc=The decommissioned {{sclass|Tacoma|frigate}} was sunk as a torpedo target.

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Sortland

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 7-gross register ton, {{convert|28.5|ft|m|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire at Driftwood Bay ({{coord|59|56|N|149|13|W|name=Driftwood Bay}}) in Day Harbor on the coast of the Kenai Peninsula in the Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-s/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (S)]

}}

=Unknown date=

{{shipwreck list begin |date=Unknown date September 1953 |sort=}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Celt

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 43-gross register ton, {{convert|62.5|ft|m|1|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire in Cholmondeley Sound ({{coord|55|17|N|132|04|W|name=Cholmondeley Sound}}) in Southeast Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-c/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (C)]

}}

October

=7 October=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship= Fearless

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 63-gross register ton, {{convert|64.9|ft|m|1|adj=on}} scow sank in Iliamna Bay on the southeast coast of the Territory of Alaska's Alaska Peninsula.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-f/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (F)]

}}

=9 October=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship= Jr.

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 9-gross register ton motor vessel was destroyed by fire at {{coord|55|14|36|N|131|26|30|W|name=Jr.}}, near Bold Island ({{coord|55.2492|N|131.4169|W|name=Bold Island}}) in Southeast Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-j/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (J)]

}}

=12 October=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Beckenham||2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship ran aground and broke in two in the Kara Sea, Soviet Union.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=British Steamer Breaks in Two |date=13 October 1953 |page=7 |issue=52751 |column=A }} All crew rescued by {{SS|Suvorov||2}} ({{flag|Soviet Union|1936}}).{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Crew of British Ship at Archangel |date=17 October 1953 |page=5 |issue=52755 |column=C }} }}

=13 October=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Tiderip

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 15-gross register ton, {{convert|39.6|ft|m|adj=on}} fishing vessel sank in the Gulf of Alaska near Kodiak, Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-t/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (T)] }}

=14 October=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Reliance No. 3

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 10-gross register ton, {{convert|31.9|ft|m|1|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire in Lynn Canal off Naked Island ({{coord|58|15|20|N|134|56|30|W|name=Naked Island}}) near Funter Bay in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-r/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (R)]

}}

=21 October=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Bharatveer||2}}

|flag={{flag|India|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship was driven ashore {{convert|5|nmi|km}} north of Madras in a cyclone. A fire broke out two days later and she was subsequently declared a constructive total loss.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=29}}

}}

=22 October=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Eiho Maru||2}}

|flag={{flag|Japan|1947}}

|desc=The tanker ran aground in the River Mersey, United Kingdom, three times within 24 hours.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=News in Brief |date=23 October 1953 |page=4 |issue=52760 |column=G }} }}

=25 October=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Sea Gram

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 13-gross register ton {{convert|41.8|ft|m|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire at Saltery Bay ({{coord|57|47|N|134|57|W|name=Saltery Bay}}) in Tenakee Inlet in Southeast Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-s/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (S)]

}}

=Unknown date=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Hiawatha

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 74-gross register ton, {{convert|66|ft|m|1|adj=on}} yacht sank at the entrance to Port Etches on the south-central coast of the Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-j/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (J)]

}}

November

=2 November=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Trygve

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 15-gross register ton, {{convert|38.5|ft|m|adj=on}} fishing vessel was wrecked on the beach at Homer Spit on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula in the Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-t/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (T)]

}}

=4 November=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Andrew Z

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 12-gross register ton, {{convert|36.5|ft|m|1|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire in George Inlet on the south coast of Revillagigedo Island in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-a/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (A)]

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Tonghai||2}}

|flag={{flag|Sweden}}

|desc=The cargo ship collided with {{SS|Esso Cardiff||2}} ({{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}) off the coast of Spain. Tonghai was taken in tow by the tug {{ship|ST|Abeille 26||2}} ({{flag|France}}) but sank on 6 November. All crew were rescued by Esso Cardiff. }}

=6 November=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Björkö||2}}

|flag={{flag|Sweden}}

|desc=The cargo ship collided with {{ship|USAS|Seawind||6}} ({{army|United States}}) and sank off Cuxhaven, West Germany.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Ships Collide at Sea |date=7 November 1953 |page=6 |issue=52773 |column=G }} Seven of her eighteen crew were killed.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Search For Missing Men Abandoned |date=9 November 1953 |page=6 |issue=52774 |column=C }} }}

=7 November=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Meteor

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 8-gross register ton, {{convert|28.4|ft|m|1|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire off Rocky Point ({{coord|60|21|30|N|147|03|00|W|name=Rocky Point}}) on Montague Island in Prince William Sound on the south-central coast of the Territory of Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-m/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (M)]

}}

=8 November=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MV|Columbus||2}}

|flag={{flag|Netherlands}}

|desc=The coaster sank {{convert|50|nmi|km}} north west of Texel. All eleven crew were rescued.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Loss of Dutch Ship |date=9 November 1953 |page=6 |issue=52774 |column=C }} }}

=9 November=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship=Wanita

|flag={{flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The 32-gross register ton, {{convert|44|ft|m|adj=on}} fishing vessel was destroyed by fire at the mouth of Red Bay on the north end of Prince of Wales Island in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska.[https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-w/ alaskashipwreck.com Alaska Shipwrecks (W)] }}

=10 November=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Aurora|1920|2}}

|flag={{flag|Netherlands}}

|desc=The cargo ship sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Cap de Fer, Algeria. She was being towed from Phillippeville, Algeria to an Italian port.{{sfn|Jordan|1999|p=550}}

}}

=16 November=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Vittoria Claudia||2}}

|flag={{flag|Italy|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship collided with {{MV|Perou||2}} ({{flag|France}}) and sank in the English Channel {{convert|2.5|nmi|km}} off Dungeness, Kent, with the loss of twenty of her 25 crew.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Twenty Italians Drowned |date=17 November 1953 |page=8 |issue=52781 |column=D }} }}

=24 November=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{ship|ST|Vespa||2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The tug was in collision with {{SS|Malmo||2}} ({{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}) and sank in the River Thames at Woolwich. All five crew rescued.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Tug Sunk in Thames Collision |date=25 November 1953 |page=5 |issue=52788 |column=C }} }}

=25 November=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MV|Marsworth||2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The cable layer collided with {{SS|Milford||2}} ({{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}) and sank off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=British Ship Founders |date=26 November 1953 |page=8 |issue=52789 |column=F }} }}

=29 November=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Halesius|1919|2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The cargo ship foundered in the Atlantic Ocean {{convert|50|nmi|km}} north of Lisbon, Portugal. She was on a voyage from Casablanca, Morocco to Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands.{{sfn|Jordan|1999|p=117}}

}}

=30 November=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Oliver Olson||2}}

|flag={{Flag|United States|1912}}

|desc=The cargo ship ran aground at Coquille, Oregon. She was only partially salvaged, the remaining wreck subsequently was incorporated into a jetty. }}

December

=14 December=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Dimitris||2}}

|flag={{flag|Greece}}

|desc=The cargo ship ran aground off Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, United Kingdom.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Greek Ship Aground |date=15 December 1953 |page=6 |issue=52805 |column=C }} All sixteen crew rescued. Dimitris was declared a total loss.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Inspection of Wrecked Ship |date=16 December 1953 |page=3 |issue=52806 |column=D }}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Olympia|1953|2}}

|flag={{Flag|Greece}}

|desc=The ocean liner ran aground in Southampton Water, Hampshire, United Kingdom. Later refloated, repaired and returned to service.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Damaged Liner To Go into Dry Dock |date=6 November 1953 |page=6 |issue=52805 |column=F }} }}

=15 December=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MV|Brockley Combe||2}}

|flag={{Flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The coaster ran aground at the Minquiers, Jersey, Channel Islands and broke in two. All crew rescued by the Jersey lifeboat.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Crew of 11 Rescued By Lifeboat |date=16 December 1953 |page=3 |issue=52806 |column=C }} }}

=24 December=

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{ship||Alf Everard|Thames barge|2}}

|flag={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}

|desc=The Thames barge exited the Medway and collided with a coaster, she then hit a second vessel before being rammed amidships by the {{MV|City of Johannesburg|1947|2}} ({{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}) and sank in the Thames Estuary. All seven crew were rescued by the collier {{SS|Alexander Kennedy||2}} which was one of the two earlier vessels with which she collided. ({{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}).{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Wreck in Thames Estuary |date=28 December 1953 |page=4 |issue=52814 |column=D }}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{SS|Gustaf Reuter||2}}

|flag={{flag|Sweden}}

|desc=The tanker exploded and sank at Gothenburg, killing one of the eleven crew on board at the time.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Swedish Tanker Sinks |date=28 December 1953 |page=6 |issue=52814 |column=A }} }}

=Unknown date=

{{shipwreck list begin |date=unknown date in December 1953 |sort=}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{MV|Roda|1928|2}}

|flag={{flag|West Germany}}

|desc=The cargo ship sank in the North Sea on or after 3 December. She was being towed from Stavanger, Norway to Hamburg for scrapping. She was refloated in 1956 and scrapped at Hamburg.{{sfn|Jordan|1999|p=477}}

}}

Unknown date

{{shipwreck list item

|ship= {{ship||Marti|schooner|2}}

|flag={{flag|Cuba}}

|desc=The schooner was wrecked in a hurricane.{{cite web|url=http://www.belgischekoopvaardij.net/belgian%20merchant%20H-O%2024.5.04.pdf |title=Belgian Merchant H-O |publisher=Belgische Koopvaardij |accessdate=31 October 2010 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

}}

{{shipwreck list item

|ship={{HMS|Pelican|1877|2}}

|flag={{flagicon|Canada|1921}} Canada

|desc=The barge was scuttled.

}}

References

=Sources=

{{cite book |title=The World's Merchant Fleets, 1939 |first=Roger |last=Jordan |publisher=Chatham Publishing |location=London |year=1999 |isbn=1-86176-023-X}}
{{cite book |last2=Sawyer |first2=LA |last1=Mitchell |first1=WH |year= 1990 |title=The Empire Ships |place=London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong |publisher=Lloyd's of London Press Ltd |isbn=1-85044-275-4 |edition=Second }}
{{cite book | first1 = Bob |last1=Ogley |first2=Ian |last2=Currie |first3=Mark |last3=Davison| year = 1991| title = The Kent Weather Book| publisher = Froglets Publications Ltd| location = Brasted Chart| isbn = 1-872337-35-X}}
{{cite book |title=The Liberty Ships |first1=L. A. |last1=Sawyer |first2=W. H. |last2=Mitchell |publisher=Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. |location=London |year=1985 |edition=2nd |isbn=1-85044-049-2 }}

1953

Ships