HMS Curacoa (D41) was a C-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy that served during World War II. The ship was launched in 1917 and was extensively modernized in the 1930s to improve its anti-aircraft capabilities. During the war, HMS Curacoa operated primarily in the North Atlantic, escorting convoys and engaging in anti-submarine warfare. Tragically, on October 2, 1942, HMS Curacoa was accidentally struck by the ocean liner RMS Queen Mary during a convoy escort mission. The liner, which was traveling at high speed to avoid potential submarine attacks, collided with the cruiser, leading to the rapid sinking of the HMS Curacoa. The incident resulted in the loss of over 300 crew members, with only 101 survivors. The sinking of HMS Curacoa by the RMS Queen Mary remains one of the most significant naval disasters of World War II. The incident sparked controversy and led to investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision. The tragedy highlighted the dangers and challenges of naval operations during wartime, emphasizing the need for improved coordination and communication to prevent such accidents in the future. Overall, the story of HMS Curacoa serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by sailors during World War II and the risks involved in naval operations, even during routine escort missions.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.