HMCS Regina was a revised Flower-class corvette serving with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War, primarily engaged in convoy escort duties across the Atlantic. Constructed by Marine Industries Ltd. in Sorel, she was laid down on 22 March 1941, launched on 14 October 1941, and commissioned at Halifax on 22 January 1942. Regina was part of the updated 1940-41 Flower-class program, which featured several design improvements over earlier versions. These modifications included an extended fo'c'sle for increased crew accommodation, a bow with increased flare for better sea control, and added armament such as two additional depth charge throwers and 20 mm anti-aircraft guns on the extended bridge wings. The ship's displacement, draught, and overall length increased due to these enhancements. Regina's service record included early duties with the Western Local Escort Force, during which she rescued 25 survivors from the sinking of the American merchant SS Alexander Macomb in July 1942. She also participated in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa, arriving in the UK in November 1942. Notably, on 8 February 1943, Regina sank the Italian submarine Avorio off Philippeville, Algeria. After a brief return to Canada and a refit in mid-1943, she resumed service in early 1944, operating as a trans-Atlantic convoy escort with the Mid-Ocean Escort Force. She was involved in several notable wartime operations, including escorting convoys to and from Gibraltar and supporting the Normandy invasion (Operation Neptune), functioning as a coastal convoy escort in the English Channel. Regina's wartime career ended when she was torpedoed and sunk by U-667 on 8 August 1944, approximately 8 nautical miles off Trevose Head, Cornwall. The sinking occurred while she was rescuing survivors of the American merchant ship Ezra Weston, and the vessel sank in just 28 seconds. Thirty crew members lost their lives in the incident. The wrecks of HMCS Regina and Ezra Weston now lie in approximately 60 meters of water, and their remains have been explored and documented in a television series episode. Regina's service exemplifies the vital role played by Canadian corvettes in securing Atlantic convoys and supporting Allied operations during the war.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.