HMS Regulus (N88) was a Rainbow-class submarine constructed for the Royal Navy during the 1930s, embodying an advanced design aimed at long-range operations, particularly in the Far East. Built by Vickers-Armstrong at Barrow-in-Furness, she was launched in 1930. The vessel measured 287 feet 2 inches (87.5 meters) in length, with a beam of 29 feet 10 inches (9.1 meters) and a mean draft of 13 feet 10 inches (4.2 meters). Her displacement was 1,772 long tons (1,800 tons) on the surface, increasing to 2,030 long tons (2,060 tons) when submerged. The submarine was crewed by 56 officers and ratings, and designed to reach a maximum diving depth of 300 feet (91.4 meters). Powered primarily by two 2,200-brake-horsepower (1,641 kW) diesel engines for surface navigation, each driving a propeller, Regulus could attain speeds of 17.5 knots (32.4 km/h) on the surface. When submerged, she relied on two 660-horsepower (492 kW) electric motors, achieving a speed of 9 knots (17 km/h). Her operational range was notable, with a maximum of 7,050 nautical miles (13,060 km) at 9.2 knots (17.0 km/h) on the surface and 62 nautical miles (115 km) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h) submerged. Armament included six 21-inch (530 mm) torpedo tubes in the bow, two in the stern, with a total of fourteen torpedoes, along with a QF 4.7-inch (120 mm) deck gun. Initially stationed with Submarine Flotilla #4 on the China station out of Hong Kong, Regulus undertook intelligence-gathering missions in October 1939, observing Japanese fleet exercises and capturing photographic intelligence in areas such as the Bungo Strait, Shibushi Bay, and Osaka Bay. Her operational history was cut short when she was lost off Taranto, Italy, on 6 December 1940 during a patrol in the southern Adriatic, likely after hitting a mine. Her service highlights her role in early WWII reconnaissance and her significance as a long-range, well-armed submarine of the Royal Navy.

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