The steel motor vessel Regina was launched from the Wirdum yard of A Apol Scheepswerf, Netherlands (Yard No 165) on 22nd November 1950. She measured 148.9′ x 23.6′ x 10.0′ and her tonnage was 313 gross tons, 191 net tons. She was powered by a 6 cylinder 4SA diesel engine by Klockner-Humboldt Deutz Corp delivering 195 brake horse power. She as built for G Leinenga ” Carebeka ” NV, Delfzigl, Netherlands.
MV Regina under way on launch day.
Lloyds register 1971
On 12th November 1971 the Regina was en route from Portrush, Northern Ireland to South Uist with a cargo of bricks when she was caught in a severe storm and developed a leak. Aboard, the captain, his wife and child and the four crewmen feared for their lifes as their ship was battered by huge seas west of Islay. The Regina’s distress calls were answered by the 8000 ton container ship Ambassador and the Islay lifeboat from Port Askaig. The crew of the Ambassador managed to get a rope to the wallowing vessel but, with both ships rising and falling in the massive swell, the line snapped and the Regina was adrift in darkness once more. At t his point the 7 people aboard the Regina decided their only chance was to abandon ship. They succeeded in launching a liferaft and managed safely to get everyone aboard, with the Islay lifeboat standing by. Immediately lifeboat coxswain skilfully manoeuvred alongside the liferaft and succeeded in taking off the crew and two passengers despite the darkness and strong Atlantic swell. They took them to Port Askaig where they were disembarked and taken to the Islay hospital in Bowmore. Due to the skills of the lifeboat crew all seven had survived the incident, freezing cold and wet but with minimal injuries. The Regina was abandoned, drifting with a heavy list in the darkness and ultimately foundered.
Extract – Sunday Post 14.11.1971
The wreck of the Regina lies in position 55° 50.177′ N, 006° 50.253′ W in 54 metres with a least depth clearance of 51 metres. The wreck, which sits upright on a sandy seabed is oriented 060/240 degrees with bow to south west. The hull is pretty much intact, and decks in place fore and aft, with some superstructure at the stern. Clearly the wreck is subject to strong tidal flow, and swell in storm conditions, and this shows with the condition of the wreck. Her hold cargo of bricks is clearly visible, this and the general layout of the wreckage confirm the identity of the vessel.
Post dive doodle.
