The Merchant Marine was the vital lifeline for Britain during World War II. Ships joined large convoys to gain protection Naval vessels and air patrols. In all more than 3000 British Merchant ships were sunk or damaged. A majority of the ships sunk were in the Atlantic Ocean. Many were in Atlantic convoys, or stragglers. 1500 ships were sunk by torpedo, mostly from U-boats. 700 ships were sunk by air attacks. 420 ships were sunk by mines.

This database of World War Two Merchant Navy Ships Lost and Damaged was researched by John A. Ross between 2001 and 2006. Ross was a former member of the Merchant Navy and an Armoury Information Centre volunteer. The data was entered by Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira Armoury volunteers and staff. This database is a legacy product which was formerly displayed on the Auckland Museum website.