At 15.28 hours on 13 December 1939, the unescorted Deptford (Master John William Ferguson) was struck by one torpedo from U-38 in the foreship 0.24 miles north-northwest of Honningsvaag, Norway, and sank within five minutes. The master, 31 crew members and two Norwegian pilots were lost. Four crewmen were picked up by the Norwegian fishing vessel Firda, which observed the periscope of the U-boat. One other man and two bodies were picked up by the Norwegian steam merchant Nordnorge. A search carried out by the Norwegian steam merchant Sekstant was unsuccessful. All survivors were brought to Lakanger and then via Maalöy to Bergen.