http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1939/nov39/f13nov39.htm
Finns end negotiations with Soviets
Monday, November 13, 1939 www.onwar.com
In Moscow... Finnish delegates, led by Paasikivi, leave for Helsinki after negotiations, over an exchange of territory and border revisions, break down. The Finns are especially unwilling to meet the Soviet demand for the cession of Hanko because it would give the USSR complete control over the Gulf of Finland and the most important part of the country. Meanwhile, in response to the breakdown of the talks, Stalin orders preparations for war against Finland.
In Britain... The HMS Blanche strikes a mine and is sunk off the Thames estuary. It is the first Royal Navy destroyer lost during the war.
In the Shetland Islands... German bombers drop bombs on British territory, for the first time, in a strike targeting naval vessels and flying boats. No significant damage is done. A rabbit is reported to have been killed.
In London... General Henry Crerar sets up the Canadian military headquarters.
In Bucharest... King Carol of Romania offers himself as a secret mediator between the British and French and the Germans.
http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DD-15B-Blanche.htm
D e t a i l s o f W a r S e r v i c e
1 9 3 9
September
Joined 19th Destroyer Flotilla at Dover for escort duties including covering passage of ships taking troops of BEF to French ports.
October
Channel and North Sea convoy defence in continuation.
November
11th Escorted HM Minelaying Cruiser ADVENTURE with HM Destroyer BASILISK for passage from Humber to Portsmouth.
13th Stood by HMS ADVENTURE after she was mined near the Tongue Lightship in Thames estuary.
Ship also detonated another magnetic mine which caused major structural damage aft and disabled with significant flooding.
Taken in tow by tug FABIA but but during passage to Sheerness the ship capsized in position one mile north of Spit Buoy (51.29N 01.3) One rating was killed and 12 others injured,.
(Note : HMS BLANCHE was the first British Destroyer to be lost by enemy action in WW2. The mines which were responsible had been laid early the same night by German destroyers KARL GALSTER, HANS LUDEMAN, HERMAN KUNNE and WILHELM HEIDKAMP)