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
(for
more ship information,
go
to
Naval History Homepage
and
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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