The First British Ship Sunk in World War II and the Unintended Consequences it Created

The sinking of the SS Athena did more than just strengthen the English speaking world's disdain for Nazi Germany, it set into motion the rise to Prime Minister of a British politician

World War II started when Nazi Germany stormed into Poland on September 1, 1939. Great Britain would wait two days before they officially declared war on Germany. Within hours of declaring war, the UK would lose its first ship of the war. 

It may come as a surprise, but the first British ship sunk at the hands of the Germans in World War II was not a naval vessel. It was a steam turbine transatlantic passenger liner. 

Wrong Place, Wrong Time

The SS Athena left Glasgow for Montreal on September 1, 1939. On board there were over 1,100 patients; consisting of Jewish refugees, Canadians, Americans, and Brits. 

By late August, there were several clear indications that war was imminent. Germany had already established a presence with their U-boats in the Atlantic. Nevertheless, Captain James Cook saw the vessel make its way into the Atlantic Ocean. 

On the evening of September 3rd, SS Athena was 60 nautical miles south of Rockall. Unbeknownst to Captain Cook, the German U-boat, U-30 was patrolling this stretch of water. U-30 sighted the SS Athena and began tracking them from a distance. 

Aboard SS Athena, Captain Cook had entered a zigzag course - a common tactic to make it difficult for submarines to engage. It had also darkened its lights. For Fritz-Julius Limp, the commander aboard U-30, these behaviors were often exhibited by troopships or armed merchant cruisers. 

Their interest peaked, U-30 tracked the Athena for nearly three hours. Finally, with both vessels positioned between Rockall and Tory Island, Lemp issued the order.

An Unexpected Distress Signal

U-30 fired torpedoes at SS Athena. Shortly after, one of the torpedoes tore into Athena’s engine room. Disabled and exposed, Captain Cook began issuing distress signals.

All 26 lifeboats were launched successfully. Meanwhile, a Norwegian freighter received the distress signal and arrived first. Shortly after, a Swedish steam yacht joined the rescue. 

They began collecting survivors, offering them food and hot drinks. They also combed the waters looking for any injured. Before long, three Royan Navy destroyers arrived on the scene. 

HMS Electra, HMS Escort, and HMS Fame joined the rescue. As morning arrived, an American freighter named SS City of Flint joined the rescue flotilla. They began helping transfer survivors to their deck as they were already en route to Halifax. 

By midday Monday, the SS Athena heeled over and sank stern first. 112 passengers and crew would perish. One of which was a 10-year-old girl named Margaret Hayworth.

The Unintended Consequences

Public opinion was dramatically shaped by the sinking of the Athenia. One major publication declared that “the German leopard has not changed its spots.” 

Meanwhile, the German government denied the presence of any U-boats in the area. They claimed the British had destroyed the ship as a means to pull the United States into the war. The truth wouldn't come out until the Nuremberg Trials.

The sinking’s shock also led to one major and unforeseen change. A change that may have altered the course of the war forever. On September 3rd, in reaction to the sinking, the British government sprung into action. They called upon Winston Churchill. He joined Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s government as First Lord of the Admiralty.

Churchill called to attention Germany’s obligations under the Anglo-German Naval Agreement of 1935. Wherein it stated no passenger ships were to be sunk by either party. Within three days, Churchill had implemented accompanying convoys for merchant ships. 

In his new role, Churchill gained visibility and impact within the British government. Nine months later, Churchill would become British Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. The leader Great Britain needed to navigate a world conflict.

History for the Hurried:

November 1, 1848: The first medical school for women opened in Boston. The Boston Female Medical School was founded by Samuel Gregory with just twelve students. Today, more than one-third of practicing physicians in the U.S. are female.

November 1, 1950: President Harry S. Truman was the target of an unsuccessful assassination attempt by two members of a Puerto Rican nationalist movement. The Brits tried their hand at assassinating the German Kaiser with little success. Unfortunately for Europe, Princip’s assassination attempt was successful.