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 May 1942. 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.
D e t a i l s o f W a r S e r v i c e
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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
PENTSTEMON 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: 4in Gun removed for use by Royal Artillery for AA defence of Port.)
For more about Algerine-class Minesweepers, see
http://www.minesweepers.org.uk/index.htm