Second World War Merchant Shipping records now online

Important information for visitors

Until summer 2025, there is a new visitor route at the National Maritime Museum while we carry out essential improvements to the Museum's roof. Most galleries will still be open as normal, and special exhibitions are currently free for all visitors. However, the Great Map and AHOY! will be closed for the duration of the works. Find out more.

Essential Information

Location	National Maritime Museum

17 Feb 2009

Any researchers interested in the merchant shipping movements of British registered and allied vessels engaged in the second world war effort may like to know that you can now access records online from Documents online at The National Archives website.

Taken from the series of cards within BT 389, information available includes the ship's name, any former name it had, its tonnage, who it was registered to, its destination, date of arrival and sometimes its ports of call. The cards also show what cargo the vessel carried on board and whether it was torpedoed, damaged or sunk during the war.

The Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen were responsible for the introduction of the merchant shipping movement cards. Researchers should be aware that the cards only account for the details of the ship and for security reasons do not have any information regarding passengers or crew on board the vessel. As with all records in the Documents Online database a fee is required to view the full record but you can search and view introductory information for free.

Follow this link for more information, to view a case study (SS Athenia) and to start your search now!

Mary (Information Assistant)