H . M .
S . A L A R M ( J 1 4 0 )
“ALGERINE” Class Fleet Minesweeper fitted with Turbine
propulsion machinery ordered on 15th November 1940 from Harland and Wolff, Belfast. Laid down on 15th March 1941 this minesweeper was launched on 5th February 1942. She
was the ninth RN ship to carry this name, introduced in
1758 for a 5th Rate and last borne by a Destroyer built in 1910
and
sold in 1928.Her build was completed on 18th May1942. This warship was “adopted” by the
civil community of Heanor, Derbyshire after a successful WARSHIP WEEK
National Savings campaign held in February 1942.
B a t t l
e H o n o u r s
NORTH SEA 1942 NORTH AFRICA 1942-43
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge
: On
a Field barry wavy of six White and Blue, a Beacon inflamed, proper.
C
h r o n o l o g y o f W a r
S e r v i c e
1 9 4 2
May Contractors trials and
commissioned for service in 12th Minesweeping Flotilla.
18th Build completion and commenced
Acceptance Trials.
On completion took
passage to Tobermory for work-up and preparation for operational
minesweeping
duties.
June After Work-up took passage to
Port Edgar to carry out minesweeping training.
Commenced
minesweeping training in Forth area.
July Passage to Harwich to join HM
Minesweepers ALGERINE and ALBACORE temporarily
serving
with 9th Minesweeping Flotilla, pending formation of new Flotilla.
Deployed with 9th
Flotilla for minesweeping off the East coast to ensure
safe
passage of convoys to and from Thames estuary. Carried out escort duty
and patrol.
August North
Sea deployment with Flotilla
in continuation.
to Nominated for foreign service on
formation of 12th Flotilla.
September
October Joined 12th Minesweeping Flotilla on
formation with HM Minesweepers
ACUTE,
ALGERINE, ALBACORE and CADMUS.
Nominated for
minesweeping duties in Mediterranean and support of planned
allied
landings in North Africa (Operation TORCH – See Naval Staff History
and
ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett.)
22nd Joined military convoy KMS1 in Clyde
with HM Minesweepers ACUTE, ALBACORE,
and
CADMUS as part of escort during passage to Gibraltar.
(Note
: HMS ALGERINE was delayed for
repair after sweep had fouled a propeller.)
November
5th Involved in collision with HM
Corvette PENSTEMON and sustained some damage
to
bow structure.
6th Detached from KMS1 and joined escort
for military convoy KMF1 for remainder
of
passage,
Deployed at Gibraltar with Flotilla on arrival and prepared for service during TORCH.
8th Carried out mines sweep with Flotilla
in advance of assault convoys to BAKER
Beach Head at Algiers
10th Deployed for anti-submarine patrol.
13th Completed patrol and took passage to
Bougie for minesweeping during landings
(Operation PERPETUAL)
15th During deployment off Bougie with HMS
ALGERINE under attack by the Italian
submarine
ASCIANGHI.
After sinking of HMS
ALGERINE by torpedo from the Italian submarine took part in rescue
of
survivors from sister vessel.
(Note
: All officers from ALGERINE and 80 of the ship’s company lost their
lives.)
December North African coast minesweeping, patrol
and convoy defence in continuation
(Note
: Ships of the Flotilla were under air and submarine attacks.)
1 9 4 3
January Convoy escort and patrol off North
African coast in continuation.
2nd Sustained major damage during air raid
whilst alongside at Bone, Algeria.
Beached prior to
detailed examination to assess damage and hit by bomb during air attacks.
Declared
Constructive Total Loss.
(Note
: 4” Gun removed for use by Royal Artillery for AA defence of Port.)
DRAFT