1st January 1919
Edsel Ford takes over as President of the Ford Motor Company after his father Henry Ford resigned due to disagreements with shareholders,
HMY Iolaire, carrying soldiers back home to the Scottish island of Lewis, accidentally runs aground and sinks, resulting in 205 deaths.
Ship Losses:
HMS Iolaire (Royal Navy) The naval yacht ran aground on the Beasts of Holm, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis and sank with the loss of 205 of the people on board.
USS Northern Pacific (United States Navy) The troopship ran aground off Fire Island, New York, She was refloated on 18 January.