SS Bengrove

The SS "Bengrove" was a steamer-type collier ship registered in Liverpool, England. Thousands of people on shore witnessed the ship explode and sink in the Bristol Channel on Sunday, March 7, 1915.cite web |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C0CE4D91238E633A2575AC0A9659C946496D6CF|title= THOUSANDS ON SHORE SEE SHIP BLOWN UP; British Collier Bengrove Is Sunk Without Warning In Bristol Channel.|accessdate=2007-10-19 |format= |work= ]

The ship left Barry at approximately 4:00 a.m. under sealed orders and carrying a cargo of 5000 tons of coal. Later that day, [cite web |url=http://www.naval-history.net/WW1LossesBrMS1914-16.htm|title= BRITISH MERCHANT SHIPS LOST AT SEA DUE TO ENEMY ACTION, 1914-18, Part 1 of 3|accessdate=2007-10-25 |format= |work= ] in the Bristol Channel, about 5 miles off the coast of Ilfracombe, an explosion occurred under the vessel amidships. The ship's siren was activated and the crew entered the lifeboats. The siren was heard on shore and the Ilfracombe coast guard dispatched lifeboats to the area. There were 21 other steamers in the area at the time of the explosion and six of them offered assistance to the floundering vessel. All 33 crewmen were saved and taken to Ilfracombe pier. Early reports were unsure what had caused the explosion. There was speculation that the vessel had struck a mine or torpedo. The cause was later determined to have been a torpedo fired from German submarine "U-20". [cite web |url=http://www.01271-ilfracombe.co.uk/20wrecks.htm|title= Ilfracombe Shipwrecks|accessdate=2007-10-25 |format= |work= ] [cite web |url=http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/WWI%20LOSSES-B.htm|title= BRITISH WORLD WAR I MERCHANT SHIP LOSSES - B|accessdate=2007-10-25 |format= |work= ]

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