HMCS Quebec (C66) - Royal Navy Service

Royal Navy Service

She was laid down on 20 July 1939 as one of the "Ceylon" sub-class (the second group of three ships built in 1939). The cruiser was built at the Vickers-Armstrong Walker yard and launched on 7 August 1941. She was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 3 January 1943 as HMS Uganda (C66).

Her service history included:

• Home Fleet (1943)

During this time she was based at Scapa Flow and saw service with convoy operations off western Europe and northwestern Africa in March, as well as escort for RMS Queen Mary carrying Winston Churchill and his staff to Washington for the Third Washington Conference (codename: Trident). She returned via Naval Station Argentia to Plymouth for refit.

• Mediterranean Fleet (1943–1944)

Following refit in June 1943, she served in the Mediterranean with Operation Husky and Operation Avalanche. During the latter duty, she was struck by a radio-controlled glider bomb on 13 September and was towed to Malta for emergency repairs. She made Charleston, South Carolina, on 27 November 1943 to undertake comprehensive repairs.

• Refit (1944)

Her refit at Charleston in 1944 saw several modifications, most notably removal of two hangars for Supermarine Walrus aircraft intended for reconnaissance work. The hangar space was redesigned for radio and radar rooms as well as other crew amenities. During this refit, the Government of Canada undertook negotiations with the United Kingdom to acquire HMS Uganda.