1939
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
- The Shetland Herring fleet numbered around 50 vessels, almost all either Zulus or Fifies and all steam, paraffin etc engine powered.
- Andrew C. O'Dell's "The Historical Geography of the Shetland Islands" was published by T & J Manson.
August
- 21th
The north isles steamer Earl of Zetland replaced after 62 years service by a new vessel of the same name. - 30th
The Sundown, a steel hulled British registered fishing drifter, sank in Sullom Voe.
September
- 1st
The Admiralty requisitioned the ships 'St Magnus (III)', 'St Ninian I' and 'St Sunniva (II)'.
- Start of World War II, as Germany invades Poland. Norway, Sweden and Ireland declare their neutrality.
- 3rd
UK declares war on Germany. The first German attack on British shipping occurs on this day as well, when SS Athenia was torpedoed off the Hebrides. Major land offensives between the UK and Germany do not occur until May 1940. Scapa Flow, in Orkney is chosen as the main British naval base. - 17th
The Admiralty set up office in a part of the Fish Market's offices.
October
- 8th
The Swedish steam freighter S/S Vistula of Gothenburg, laden with a general cargo sunk by a German submarine U37. A position approx 45 nautical miles north/off Muckle Flugga, Unst is thought to be the most probable location for this incident. A lifeboat with 9 of the crew arrives Nor Wick, Unst, but the Captain's boat with 9 men was lost. - 20th
The British steam freighter Sea Venture, (2327GRT), sunken by the German submarine U34 northeast of Unst. Crew rescued, 25 by Lerwick Lifeboat. One of the lifeboats from the 'Sea Venture' made landfall at Outer Skaw, Unst, and later became roof of a shed. - 27th
First enemy aircraft sighted over Shetland
November
- 13th
Four Heinkel bombers attacked Sullom Voe. 4 bombs fell in the sea and the others on nearby land. These bombs were the first of the war to land on British soil, and was reportedly the inspiration for the song Run Rabbit Run, but in fact the song had been written and performed before the bombing took place. - 18th
The British Royal Navy and the Air Force takes over the North Ness area, where they established bases for MTB's, submarines and flying boats. - 22nd
German Heinkel bombers drop bombs in Lerwick Harbour, the bombs did not hit anything but a Saro London II flying boat, L7042, of RAF 201 Squadron was by destroyed by fire at her moorings after being hit by machine gun fire. - 28th
Survivors from the Swedish tanker 'Gustav E. Reuter' arrived Lerwick. The ship hit a mine south east of Shetland. The Admiralty's tow boat 'St.Mellons' tried to rescue the ship, but because of heavy weather it had to give her up 25 nautical miles south east of Bressay.
December
- 19th
The Daneden (A59) (formerly Strathebrie), a steam fishing trawler, of Aberdeen, Scotland. presumed to have been bombed by aircraft and sunk at a position approx 12 miles ESE (or possibly NE) of Fetlar.
