The Algerine class was a class of minesweepers of the Royal Navy and the Commonwealth. 110 ships of the class were launched between 1942 and 1944 and served in World War II.

They were designed as small vessels that could serve in several roles, not just as minesweepers; in practice the desperate shortage of convoy escorts in the Second Battle of the Atlantic meant that they served mainly in that role; twelve Algerines of the Royal Canadian Navy consequently never had minesweeping gear fitted.

After the war, a number continued in service as patrol boats, survey ships, and training ships. Some were sold to other navies or into merchant service. At least one - HMS Pickle (commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Hallifax)- was still engaged in minesweeping duties in British waters as late as 1954. As of 2005, at least one Algerine is still in service with the Royal Thai Navy: HTMS Phosampton (ex-HMS Minstrel).

Ships

Algerines sunk in combat

• Algerine was torpedoed by the Italian submarine Ascianghi off Bougie, Algeria on 15 November 1942.
• Alarm was damaged beyond repair by air attack off Bône, Algeria on 2 January 1943.
• Loyalty (ex-Rattler) was sunk by U-480 in the English Channel on 22 August 1944.
• Regulus was sunk by a mine off Corgu on 12 January 1945.
• Squirrel was sunk by a mine off Phuket, Thailand on 24 July 1945.
• Vestal was sunk by a Japanese kamikaze plane off Phuket, Thailand on 26 July 1945.

External links

• Algerine class from uboat.net
• The Algerine Association
• ALGERINE Class Minesweepers - Radio Fit

References