HMS Regent was a Rainbow-class submarine of the Royal Navy, built by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering at Barrow-in-Furness. She was laid down on 19 June 1929, launched on 11 June 1930, and commissioned on 11 November 1930.
Specifications
- Class: Rainbow-class submarine
- Pennant Number: N41
- Length: 287 ft (87 m)
- Displacement: 1,763 tons surfaced; 2,030 tons submerged
- Complement: 53 officers and men
- Armament: Eight 21-inch torpedo tubes and a 4.7-inch deck gun.
Early Service
Regent was initially assigned to the China Station, operating from Hong Kong with the 4th Submarine Flotilla. In 1940 she transferred to the Mediterranean and joined the 1st Submarine Flotilla based at Alexandria, Egypt.
Famous Adriatic Mission
Regent became famous in April 1941 during the German invasion of Yugoslavia. She entered the heavily defended harbour of Kotor (Cattaro) under a flag of truce to negotiate the release of the British minister to Yugoslavia, Sir Ronald Campbell. The mission failed because Yugoslavia had already collapsed, and Regent narrowly escaped after coming under air attack. This remains one of the most remarkable diplomatic missions ever undertaken by a British submarine.
Wartime Operations
During her Mediterranean service, Regent:
- Sank the Italian sailing vessel Maria Grazia by ramming her in October 1940.
- Sank the merchant ship Antonietta Costa shortly afterwards.
- Conducted numerous patrols against Axis shipping in the Adriatic and central Mediterranean.
- Sank the transport Città di Messina in January 1942.
Loss
Regent left Malta on 12 April 1943 for a patrol in the southern Adriatic and was due to proceed to Port Said afterwards. She never arrived and was reported overdue on 1 May 1943. Evidence strongly suggests that she struck a mine off the Italian coast near Brindisi/Barletta on 18 April 1943, causing the loss of the entire crew.
Discovery of the Wreck
For many years a wreck found near Barletta was believed to be Regent, but later investigations showed it was actually the former Italian submarine Giovanni Bausan. More recent research and diving surveys identified a different wreck near Brindisi that is now believed to be the true remains of HMS Regent.
Legacy
HMS Regent is remembered both for her aggressive Mediterranean patrols and for the extraordinary 1941 mission into Kotor Harbour. Her loss with all hands in 1943 marked the end of one of the Royal Navy submarine service's most distinguished Rainbow-class boats.
