View source for HMCS Algoma

{{Short description|Flower-class corvette}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
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|Ship image= HMCS Algoma.jpg
|Ship caption= HMCS ''Algoma''
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=Canada
|Ship flag= {{shipboxflag|Canada|naval-1911}}
|Ship name= ''Algoma''
|Ship namesake= [[Algoma District|Algoma District, Ontario]]
|Ship ordered= 1 February 1940
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|Ship builder= [[Port Arthur Shipbuilding|Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co.]], [[Port Arthur, Ontario|Port Arthur]]
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|Ship laid down= 18 June 1940
|Ship launched= 17 December 1940
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|Ship commissioned= 11 July 1941
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|Ship decommissioned=6 July 1945
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|Ship identification= [[Pennant number]]: K127
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|Ship honours= Atlantic 1941–44, English Channel 1945
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|Ship fate= Sold to [[Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela|Venezuelan Navy]]
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country= Venezuela
|Ship flag= {{shipboxflag|Venezuela|naval}}
|Ship name= ''Constitución''
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|Ship acquired= bought from [[Royal Canadian Navy]]
|Ship commissioned= 1946
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|Ship out of service= 1962
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|Ship fate= Scrapped 1962
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
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|Ship class={{sclass2|Flower|corvette}} (original)
|Ship displacement={{convert|950|LT|t|lk=on}}
|Ship length={{cvt|205|ft|1|in}} [[Length overall|o/a]]
|Ship beam={{cvt|33|ft|1|in}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught={{cvt|13|ft|5|in}}
|Ship power= {{convert|2750|ihp|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=*single shaft
*2 × [[Scotch boiler]]s
*1 × 4-cylinder [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|triple-expansion engine]]
|Ship speed={{convert|16|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range={{cvt|3450|nmi|lk=in}} at {{cvt|12|kn}}
|Ship endurance=
|Ship complement=47
|Ship sensors=*1 × SW1C or 2C radar
*1 × Type 123A or Type 127DV sonar
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*1 × [[BL 4 inch Mk IX naval gun|BL {{cvt|4|in|mm|0}} Mk.IX]] single gun
*2 × [[Vickers .50 machine gun|.50 cal machine gun (twin)]]
*2 × [[Lewis gun|Lewis .303 cal machine gun]] (twin)
*2 × Mk II depth charge throwers
*2 × depth charge rails with 40 depth charges
*originally fitted with minesweeping gear, later removed
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'''HMCS ''Algoma''''' was a {{sclass2|Flower|corvette}} that served with the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] in the [[World War II|Second World War]]. Named for the [[Algoma District]] of [[Ontario]], it served primarily in the [[Battle of the Atlantic]]. After the war it was sold to the [[Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela|Venezuelan Navy]] and renamed '''''Constitución'''''.

Designed as a [[convoy]] escort, the vessel was [[Keel laying|laid down]] on 18 June 1940, [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 17 December and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 11 July 1941. The ship took part in three major convoy battles and [[Operation Torch]] escort duties and was decommissioned in 1945. She served with the Venezuelan Navy from 1946 until 1962.

==Design and description==
{{main|Flower-class corvette}}
Flower-class [[corvette]]s such as ''Algoma'' serving with the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] (RCN) in the Second World War were different from earlier and more traditional sail-driven corvettes.{{sfn|Fitzsimons|1978|pp=1137–1142}}{{sfn|''Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II''|page=[https://archive.org/details/janesfightingshi00fran/page/68 68]}} The Flower-class corvettes originated from a need that arose in 1938 to expand the [[Royal Navy]] following the [[Munich Crisis]].{{sfn|Preston|Raven|1973|p=1}} A design request went out for a small escort for coastal [[convoy]]s.{{sfn|McKay|Harland|1993|p=8}} Based on a traditional [[Whaling ship|whaler]]-type design, the initial Canadian ships of the Flower class had a [[Displacement (ship)|standard displacement]] of {{convert|950|LT|t|lk=on}}. They were {{convert|205|ft|1|in|m}} [[Length overall|long overall]] with a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|33|ft|1|in|m}} and a maximum [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|13|ft|5|in|m}}. The initial 1939–1940 corvettes were powered by a four-cylinder [[vertical triple expansion]] engine powered by steam from two [[Scotch boiler]]s turning one three-bladed [[propeller]] rated at {{convert|2800|ihp|lk=on}}. The Scotch boilers were replaced with [[water-tube boiler]]s in later 1939–1940 and 1940–1941 Programme ships. The corvettes had a maximum speed of {{convert|16|kn|lk=in}}. This gave them a range of {{convert|3450|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|12|kn}}.{{sfn|Lynch|1981|p=66}} The vessels were extremely wet.{{sfn|McKay|Harland|1993|p=11}}

The Canadian Flower-class vessels were initially armed with a [[BL 4-inch Mk IX naval gun|Mk IX BL {{convert|4|in|mm|adj=on|0}} gun]] forward on a CP 1 mounting and carried 100 rounds per gun. The corvettes were also armed with a [[QF 2-pounder naval gun|QF Vickers 2-pounder ({{convert|40|mm|in|disp=comma|abbr=on|1}}) gun]] on a bandstand aft, two single-mounted [[Vickers machine gun|.303 Vickers machine guns]] or [[M2 Browning|Browning 0.5-calibre machine guns]] for [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] defence and two twin-mounted [[Lewis gun|.303 Lewis machine guns]], usually sited on bridge wings.{{sfn|Preston|Raven|1973|p=1}}{{sfn|Lynch|1981|p=66}}{{sfn|McKay|Harland|1993|p=14}} For [[anti-submarine warfare]], they mounted two [[depth charge]] throwers and initially carried 25 depth charges. The corvettes were designed with a [[Type 123 sonar|Type 123]] [[ASDIC]] sonar set installed. The Flower-class ships had a complement of 47 officers and [[Naval rating|ratings]].{{sfn|Preston|Raven|1973|p=1}} The Royal Canadian Navy initially ordered 54 corvettes in 1940 and these were fitted with Mark II Oropesa [[minesweeping]] gear used for destroying [[Naval mine|contact mines]].{{sfn|McKay|Harland|1993|p=12}} Part of the depth charge rails were made portable so the minesweeping gear could be utilised.{{sfn|Preston|Raven|1973|pp=3–4}}

===Modifications===
In Canadian service the vessels were altered due to experience with the design's deficiencies. The [[Galley (kitchen)|galley]] was moved further back in the ship and the mess and sleeping quarters combined. A wireless [[direction finding]] set was installed, and enlarged [[bilge]] keels were installed to reduce rolling.{{sfn|Preston|Raven|1973|p=4}} After the first 35–40 corvettes had been constructed, the foremast was shifted aft of the [[bridge (nautical)|bridge]] and the mainmast was eliminated. Corvettes were first fitted with basic [[Radar in World War II#Canada|SW-1 and SW-2 CQ]] surface warning [[radar]], notable for their fishbone-like antenna and reputation for failure in poor weather or in the dark. The compass house was moved further aft and the open-type bridge was situated in front of it. The ASDIC hut was moved in front and to a lower position on the bridge. The improved [[Type 271 radar]] was placed aft, with some units receiving [[Type 291 radar]] for air search. The minesweeping gear, a feature of the first 54 corvettes, was removed.{{sfn|Lynch|1981|p=12}} Most Canadian Flower-class corvettes had their [[forecastle]]s extended which improved crew accommodation and seakeeping. Furthermore, the sheer and flare of the [[Bow (watercraft)|bow]] was increased, which led to an enlarged bridge. This allowed for the installation of [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|Oerlikon {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} cannon]], replacing the Browning and Vickers machine guns.{{sfn|Lynch|1981|pp=10, 12}} Some of the corvettes were rearmed with [[Hedgehog (weapon)|Hedgehog]] anti-submarine [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]].{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=103}} The complements of the ships grew throughout the war rising from the initial 47 to as many as 104.{{sfn|Lynch|1981|pp=10, 12}}

==Construction and career==
===Canadian service===
''Algoma'' was ordered 1 February 1940{{sfn|Helgason}} as part of the 1939–1940 Flower class building program. She was [[Keel laying|laid down]] on 18 June 1940 by [[Port Arthur Shipbuilding|Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co.]] in [[Port Arthur, Ontario]], and [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 17 December 1940. The vessel was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 11 July 1941 in [[Montreal, Quebec]], and arrived in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]], on 18 July 1940 to begin her career.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=105}} In the [[Battle of the Atlantic]], escort ships for [[convoy]]s of merchant ships were organised into groups, with ''Algoma'' initially joining the groups 4.1.12 and 4.1.14 before reorganisation into [[Mid-Ocean Escort Force]] (MOEF) Escort Group A3 (EG A3).{{sfn|Rohwer|2005|pp=104, 113, 124}} On 21 February 1942, the convoy [[ON convoys|ON 67]] was located by German [[U-boat]]s which was being escorted by the convoy escort group A6, of which ''Algoma'' was a member of at the time. In the battle from 21–24 February eight ships were sunk.{{sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=146}} On 11 May, the convoy ONS 92, escorted by A3 was spotted by U-boats. The convoy lost six merchant vessels before contact was lost due to bad weather.{{sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=165}} ''Algoma'' then went in for refit at [[Liverpool, Nova Scotia]] in July, which took six weeks to complete. Upon returning to active service, the corvette joined the [[Western Local Escort Force]]. She was then assigned to [[Operation Torch]] duties in October and left for the United Kingdom with convoy [[SC convoys|SC 107]].{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=105}} On 1 November the convoy was intercepted by the German [[Wolfpack (naval tactic)|wolfpack]] "Hecht" and until the end of the battle on 6 November, 13 merchant ships were sunk.{{sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=204}}

''Algoma'' was then placed under command of the [[Royal Navy]], escorting convoys to the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. In February 1943, the ship was based at [[Bône, Algeria]] before returning to Atlantic waters, based at [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St. John's]], [[Dominion of Newfoundland|Newfoundland]]. The convoy escorted by ''Algoma'' on the return journey, ON 179, suffered no losses even though it was pursued by U-boats.{{sfn|Rohwer|2005|pp=245–246}} After a brief stint with the Western Support force in May 1943 and a return to WLEF, the corvette joined Quebec Force in June, the unit dedicated to escort and patrol around Quebec until November. ''Algoma'' did one quick tour with MOEF group C4 before arriving at Liverpool, Nova Scotia, for a major refit. ''Algoma'' returned to service in May 1944, joining MOEF group C5. She performed three round-trips with convoys before joining EG 41 at [[Plymouth]], United Kingdom, under the command of the Royal Navy's Plymouth Command. She spent the rest of the war patrolling the [[English Channel]].{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=105}} For service in the war, ''Algoma'' was given the [[battle honour]]s "Atlantic 1941–44" and "English Channel 1945".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/navy/services/history/ships-histories/algoma.html |title=HMCS Algoma |date=8 August 2017 |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

===Venezuelan service===
[[File:Corbeta-FNV-Constitución.jpg|thumb|ARV ''Constitución'' in 1948]]
''Algoma'' was paid off on 6 July 1945 at [[Sydney, Nova Scotia]], for disposal. The Venezuelan Navy bought her in 1945 and renamed her ARV ''Constitución''. She was discarded in 1962.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=105}}

==Citations==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* {{cite book |editor-last=Fitzsimons |editor-first=Bernard |date=1978 |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons & Warfare |volume=11 |publisher=Phoebus |location=London |oclc=8842839}}
* {{cite web |url=https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/799.html |title=HMCS Algoma (K 127) |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |website=German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net |access-date=10 November 2021}}
* {{cite book |date=1996 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II |url=https://archive.org/details/janesfightingshi00fran/page/68 |location=New Jersey |publisher=Random House |isbn=0-517-67963-9 |url-access=registration |ref={{sfnref|''Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II''}}}}
* {{cite book |last=Lynch |first=Thomas G |year=1981 |title=Canada's Flowers, History of the Corvettes of Canada |publisher=Nimbus Publishing |location=Halifax, Nova Scotia |isbn=0-920852-15-7}}
* {{cite book |last1=Macpherson |first1=Ken |last2=Barrie |first2=Ron |name-list-style=amp |year=2002 |title=The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910–2002 |edition=Third |publisher=Vanwell Publishing |location=St. Catharines, Ontario |isbn=1-55125-072-1}}
* {{cite book |last1=McKay |first1=John |last2=Harland |first2=John |name-list-style=amp |year=1993 |title=Anatomy of the Ship: The Flower Class Corvette Agassiz |publisher=Vanwell Publishing |location=St. Catharines, Ontario |isbn=1-55068-084-6}}
* {{cite book |last1=Preston |first1=Antony |last2=Raven |first2=Alan |name-list-style=amp |year=1973 |title=Flower Class Corvettes |series=Signal |number=3 |publisher=Bivouac Books |location=London |isbn=0-85680-004-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Rohwer |first=Jürgen |year=2005 |title=Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two |edition=Revised & Expanded |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=1-59114-119-2}}

==External links==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hague/index.html?search3.php?query=Oakville&Submit=Find+Vessel~haguemain |last=Hague |first=Arnold |title=HMCS Algoma |work=Convoy Web |publisher=Don Kindell }}
*{{Cite news |url= http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/canada/ww2/flower/ |title= Flower Class |author= Hazegray |work= Canadian Navy of Yesterday and Today |access-date= 27 July 2013 |archive-date= 14 December 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221214165524/http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/canada/ww2/flower/ |url-status= dead }}
*{{Cite news |url=http://www.readyayeready.com/ships/shipview.php?id=1005&ship=ALGOMA |title=HMCS Algoma |work=Ready, Aye, Ready |access-date=27 July 2013 }}
{{refend}}

{{Flower class corvette|original}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Algoma, HMCS}}
[[Category:1940 ships]]
[[Category:Corvettes of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Flower-class corvettes of the Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela]]
[[Category:Flower-class corvettes of the Royal Canadian Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built in Thunder Bay]]