Bundesarchiv Bild 183-H27992, Lazarettschiff

While submarines were invented centuries ago, development of self-propelled

torpedo A modern torpedo is an underwater ranged weapon launched above or below the water surface, self-propelled towards a target, and with an explosive warhead designed to detonate either on contact with or in proximity to the target. Historically, s ...

es in the latter half of the 19th century dramatically increased the effectiveness of military submarines. Initial submarine scouting patrols against surface warships sank several cruisers in the first month of

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. Incidental submarine encounters with merchant ships were handled by signalling ships to stop, then sinking them after evacuation of the crew, in accordance with international law. After

unrestricted submarine warfare Unrestricted submarine warfare is a type of naval warfare in which submarines sink merchant ships such as freighters and tankers without warning, as opposed to attacks per prize rules (also known as "cruiser rules") that call for warships to s ...

began in February 1915, any ship could unexpectedly sink rapidly from the heavy underwater hull damage inflicted by torpedoes. Many large ships sank without their crews being able to alert friendly forces in time, and the submarines which sank them were too small to rescue more than a few survivors. Heavy personnel casualties continued through

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, and there have been a few later sinkings.

List of ships sunk by submarines by death tolls exceeding 150

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:List By Death Toll of Ships Sunk By Submarines Ships sunk by submarines by death toll

Ships sunk by submarines A ship is a large watercraft that travels the world's oceans and other sufficiently deep waterways, carrying cargo or passengers, or in support of specialized missions, such as defense, research, and fishing. Ships are generally distinguished ...