HMCS Middlesex
History | |
---|---|
Canada | |
Name | Middlesex |
Builder | Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Port Arthur |
Laid down | 29 September 1942 |
Launched | 27 May 1943 |
Commissioned | 6 August 1944 |
Stricken | 12 December 1946 |
Identification | Pennant number: J328 |
Honours and awards | Atlantic 1944–45 |
Fate | Ran aground 2 December 1946 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Algerine-class minesweeper |
Displacement |
|
Length | 225 ft (69 m) o/a |
Beam | 35 ft 6 in (10.82 m) |
Draught | 12.25 ft 6 in (3.89 m) |
Installed power |
|
Propulsion |
|
Speed | 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph) |
Range | 5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
Complement | 85 |
Armament |
|
HMCS Middlesex was a reciprocating engine-powered Algerine-class minesweeper built for the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Entering service in 1944, the vessel served as a convoy escort in the Battle of the Atlantic. Following the war, the ship ran aground on 2 December 1946 and broken up for scrap.
Design and description
The reciprocating group displaced 1,010–1,030 long tons (1,030–1,050 t) at
The reciprocating ships had two
The Algerine class was armed with a
Construction and career
Middlesex was
After commissioning, Middlesex sailed up the St. Lawrence River to Halifax, Nova Scotia. From there, the ship was sent to Bermuda to work up before returning to Halifax. Upon her return, the minesweeper was assigned to the Western Escort Force as a convoy escort in the Battle of the Atlantic. The ship deployed as part of escort group W-3, joining the group on 30 August 1944. In November 1944, Middlesex was made Senior Officer's Ship of the group.[3] As Senior Officer Ship, the commander of the escort would be aboard her during convoy missions.[4] She remained with the group as Senior Officer Ship until it was disbanded in June 1945.[3]
Middlesex underwent a refit at Halifax before being placed in reserve there following the end of the war. In March 1946, the ship was reactivated as an emergency ship based out of Halifax. In April, Middlesex rescued 32 crew and passengers from the merchant vessel Alfios after the ship had run aground on Sable Island.[5] While responding to an emergency call from the fishing vessel Ohio in December, Middlesex ran aground on Half Island Point near Halifax.[3] The crew escaped unharmed and a naval tug was sent to assist the ship, while another ship was sent to assist Ohio.[6] However, the ship was unable to be pulled off the rocks[7] and declared a constructive total loss on 12 December 1946.[3] The ship was officially put up for sale in March 1947.[8]
See also
- List of ships of the Canadian Navy
References
- ^ a b c Lenton, p. 261
- ^ Chesneau, p. 65
- ^ a b c d e Macpherson and Barrie, p. 196
- ^ Burn, p. 242
- ^ "Bringing in Crewmen". Ottawa Citizen. 1 May 1946. p. 23. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ^ "Rush to Aid Disabled Dragger". The Nashua Telegraph. Vol. 72, no. 230. Associated Press. 2 December 1946. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ^ "Navy Abandons "Middlesex"". Ottawa Citizen. The Canadian Press. 7 December 1946. p. 23. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ^ "Vessel For Sale". Ottawa Citizen. 7 March 1947. p. 3. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
Bibliography
- Burn, Alan (1999). The Fighting Commodores: The Convoy Commanders in the Second World War. London: Leo Cooper. ISBN 9780850525045.
- Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
- ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
- ISBN 1-55750-048-7.
- Macpherson, Ken; Barrie, Ron (2002). The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910–2002 (3 ed.). St. Catharines, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing. ISBN 1-55125-072-1.