HMS Acheron (Lt. John Rees Wilson, RN) was mined off the Isle of Wright on 17 December 1940. She was running trials after completing repairs following the bomb damage sustained on 24 August. The trial was being conducted at night, with heavy seas running and a strong north-east wind in complete darkness.
During one of the passes on the measured mile, 8 nautical miles west-south-west of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, she struck a mine towards the bows, her own speed driving her under; she sank within 4 minutes, killing 196 crewmen and yard workers on board for the trials, only 19 survived. The mine is believed to have been one of those laid by the Luftwaffe in no definite pattern along the Channel coast. The wreck lies in 48 meters of water in position 50º32'N, 01º26'W.