BNC Algerine-class Minesweepers - Hard-hitting mine- and anti-submarine ship

Suggestions Naval
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Would you like to see this in-game?
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Where would you like to see this vehicle?
  • (independent) BeNeLux tree
  • France: BeNeLux subtree
  • other
  • no/negative
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Look at the comment below for a poll where you can vote for more options.

What versions would you like to see?
  • 1x 102 mm + 4x 20 mm
  • 1x 102 mm + 2x1 20 mm + 2x2 20 mm
  • 1x 102 mm + 4x 40 mm
  • 5x 40 mm
  • other (please comment)
  • no/negative
0 voters

The Algerine-class minehunters served in the Belgian Navy, where they played a crucial role in post-World War II naval operations. These ships, originally built for the Royal Navy, were adapted for Belgium’s needs in mine warfare and anti-submarine operations. Equipped with a 4-inch 50 caliber gun, Oerlikon 20mm, and Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft guns, as well as advanced anti-submarine weapons like the Hedgehog mortar and depth charges, the Algerines were formidable vessels for their time.

TL;DR: several minehunters, armed with an assortement of 20mm, 40mm and 4-inch 50-caliber (102 mm) guns depending on the versions.

Dufour12

M903 Dufour, the Algerine class minehunter post 1950 with 4x 40mm Bofors and 1x102 mm gun.

History

History

In 1939, similar to the 1914-1918 period, the Royal Navy faced a shortage of proper mine-sweepers, and as a result, it heavily militarized trawlers for the dangerous task of mine clearance. The mines had become much more advanced, with various ignition mechanisms. The crews were once again made up of fisherman captains and recruits from the Royal Naval Reserve, except for the communications personnel, who remained active duty. During the war, to compensate for the shortage of personnel, reinforcements were primarily recruited from tug crews, pontoon men, and other port services. Even the famous paddle steamers would be called back into service. The Kriegsmarine had mined several navigational zones extensively, and the Royal Navy, lacking sufficient mine defense, had to use some of its destroyers from the “A” and “I” classes, which had been equipped for mine-sweeping. However, they hadn’t anticipated the innovations the Germans made in weaponry, using acoustic or magnetic influence mines. Once again, the British were forced to find a solution. The answer lay in designing a completely new type of mine-sweeper. Thus, from 1940 to 1942, the Bangor class ship came into service, a smaller vessel than the Hunt and Halcyon classes. Over a hundred of these ships were built, including 45 in the UK and 60 in Canada.

In fact, just before hostilities broke out, there had been a project to design a coastal mine-sweeper, still equipped with the “Oropesa” type sweep, of course. When the necessity arose for the navy to equip these vessels with appropriate equipment, it became clear that the narrowness of the decks and the limited space on the stern did not allow for the necessary mine-sweeping equipment to be installed. Therefore, a vessel with better-suited dimensions had to be designed.

However, the chronic shortage of escort ships forced the Royal Navy to often use the Bangor class as escorts.
The development of the Algerine-class minehunters began during World War II, at a time when the Royal Navy urgently needed versatile and capable vessels to combat the growing threat of naval mines. The Algerine-class was conceived as a replacement for the older “Bangor-class” minesweepers, which were increasingly seen as inadequate due to their limited endurance and capabilities in modern warfare. The design of the Algerine-class was driven by the need for a more robust and versatile ship that could operate effectively in the dangerous waters of the Mediterranean and other theaters of war.

The first Algerine-class ships were built in the early 1940s, and they were designed to be multi-purpose vessels. These ships were intended primarily for mine warfare, but they were also equipped to perform anti-submarine and anti-aircraft roles. With this versatility, the Algerine-class ships were well-suited to the needs of the Royal Navy and other navies, particularly in the post-war period when mine-sweeping and coastal defense continued to be crucial.

The initial Algerine-class ships were equipped with a primary 4-inch 50 caliber gun, a secondary 20mm Oerlikon cannon, and depth charge racks for anti-submarine warfare. The ships were also fitted with ASDIC sonar systems, a technology that enabled them to detect submerged submarines and mines. This combination of firepower and detection systems made the Algerine-class ships highly effective in their designated roles.

In 1942, the British built the first Algerine-class minesweeper, the HMS ALGERINE, which set the standard for the class. These ships featured a unique design that included a reinforced hull for the tough demands of mine-sweeping operations and a layout that allowed for the installation of various specialized equipment. The HMS ALGERINE itself had a tragic history: it was torpedoed by an Italian submarine in November 1942, just months after entering service. Despite its quick demise, the HMS ALGERINE set a precedent for future vessels of the class.

The Algerine-class ships were built by several shipyards, including the famous Vickers Ltd. in England and the Fabrique de Locomotives de Montréal in Canada, which played a significant role in the construction of these ships. The design of the Algerine-class was influenced by a need for adaptability. It was equipped with both advanced weaponry and modernized sonar systems, which allowed it to perform well in a variety of combat situations.

Following the end of World War II, the Algerine-class ships were adapted for use by several navies, including the Belgian Navy. Belgium took delivery of a number of Algerine-class ships in the early 1950s, which were further modified to suit the specific needs of the Belgian fleet. These Belgian Algerines were equipped with a range of updated weapons and electronics systems, including the Hedgehog spigot mortar for anti-submarine warfare, depth charge racks, and later enhancements such as the Sea Sparrow missile defense system-trials.

The Belgian Algerine-class ships underwent various refits and upgrades during their service life to ensure they remained capable of performing modern naval operations. In particular, their mine-sweeping abilities were continually improved, and they played key roles in maritime security and defense operations throughout the Cold War and into the later decades of the 20th century.

The Algerine-class minehunters were renowned for their durability and adaptability, with the ships remaining in service for several decades despite evolving naval technologies. The ships’ combination of mine-warfare capabilities, anti-submarine defenses, and effective weapons systems made them an essential part of the naval forces of several countries, including Belgium, which used the Algerine-class ships well into the 1970s.

Belgian Service

The Belgian Algerine-class minehunters were a series of versatile ships built to carry out mine warfare and anti-submarine operations. Based on the British Algerine-class design, these ships were in service with the Belgian Navy from the early 1950s and were equipped to handle a variety of roles in both wartime and peacekeeping operations.

The Belgian Algerine-class vessels were manned by a crew of 95 personnel, including 6 officers, 31 non-commissioned officers (sous-officiers), and 58 crewmen. These ships underwent various modifications throughout their service life, adapting to new technologies and evolving naval tactics.

In terms of armament, the Belgian versions of the Algerine-class minehunters were initially equipped with a 4-inch 50 caliber gun as their primary weapon. They also had various layouts with 20mm Oerlikon guns and 40mm Bofors guns for anti-aircraft defense. The ships featured a Hedgehog spigot mortar for anti-submarine warfare, along with depth charge racks at the stern, which were later upgraded with improved handling systems. The sonar system, initially the early version of ASDIC, was also upgraded during the ships’ service life. In the later years, the ships were equipped with modernized systems, including enhanced depth charge launchers, torpedoes, and advanced air defense capabilities, such as the possible installation of the Sea Sparrow missile defense system.

Living conditions aboard these ships were harsh, particularly in the early years. The crew had limited space, with hammocks strung up during off-duty hours. Fresh water was in short supply, and hygiene was minimal. While the officers enjoyed more comfortable quarters, the crew had to make do with basic mess facilities. Despite these conditions, the crew was well-trained, with all members undergoing basic infantry training in addition to their specialized naval roles. The ships also had a cinema for recreation, offering the crew a much-needed escape during downtime.

The Belgian Algerine-class minehunters were mainly used for mine warfare, port defense, and anti-submarine operations. Their adaptability allowed them to participate in various missions, from securing maritime borders to providing support during peacekeeping operations. However, they also faced dangerous and tragic moments, as highlighted by the fate of the British HMS ALGERINE during World War II. This ship was torpedoed by an Italian submarine off the coast of Bougie, Algeria, in November 1942, resulting in significant loss of life. Despite rescue efforts, many crew members perished.

These ships remained in service for several decades, undergoing numerous upgrades to keep them relevant in modern naval warfare. The Belgian versions of the Algerine-class minehunters were a testament to both the endurance of the original design and the resilience of their crews throughout the years.

Specifications

Dimensions: Lenght/Beam/Draught: 57,5 m / 10 m / 3,6 m
Displacement: 850 - 1.125 tons
Propulsion: 2-shaft, 2 diesel or steam engines, 5,000 hp (3000 CV)
Speed: 16,5 knots

Crew: 85-95 men

Armament Initial Version (1950s) –
Gun 1 x 1 102mm / 4-inch 50 cal. gun
Secondaries 4 x 1 20mm Oerlikon guns
Depth Charges 2 x 8 depth charge rails (60 - 70 stowed):two rails
Mortar 4 x 1 Hedgehog Spigot anti-submarine mortar
Sonar ASDIC system for submarine detection
Armament Mid-Life (1960s-1970s)
Gun 1 x 1 102mm / 4-inch 50 cal. gun
Secondaries 4 x 1 40 mm Bofors guns
Depth Charges 2 x 8 depth charge rails (60 - 70 stowed): two rails
Mortar 4 x 1 Hedgehog Spigot anti-submarine mortar
Sonar Improved ASDIC system for submarine detection
Armament (Coastal air-defence) —
Gun N/A
Secondaries 5 x 1 40 mm Bofors guns
Depth Charges 2 x 8 depth charge rails (60 - 70 stowed) two rails
Mortar 4 x 1 Hedgehog Spigot anti-submarine mortar
Sonar Further improved ASDIC system for submarine detection

Place in War Thunder

The Algerine-class would represent the early-post WWII navy with plenty of armament to defend itself against rank II-IV coastal ships, with numerous retrofits to choose from throughout its extensive service life.

Regarding nations

BeNeLux

As the BeNeLux subtree for France has now been confirmed, France has the highest chance of recieving Belgian equipment. However an independent BeNeLux would also be very possible. For further info please go to: BeNeLux (Belgium, Netherlands & Luxembourg) Coastal Fleet.

Pictures and Diagrams

Pictures

M_90010

M900 Adrien de Gerlache

photo_35 (1)

M901 Georges Lecointe

M902_36

M902 J.E. van Haverbeke

photo_37

M903 A.F. Dufour

M904o18

M904 Y. de Brouwer

M905o10

M905 Demoor

lecoin10 (1)

F901 G. Lecointe

F903_a10

F903 A.F. Dufour

Diagrams

algeri16
algeri161920×1289 345 KB

Sources

Sources
1 Like
2

Despite only being able to vote for two configs, I’d like to have all of them. +1

3

Yeah, I tried changing the poll, but I was unable to change it after the first 5 minutes. I’m abroad right now… The new poll:

What versions would you like to see?
  • 1x 102 mm + 4x 20 mm (Armament initial version)
  • 1x 102 mm + 2x1 20 mm + 2x2 20 mm (variant of Armement initial version, but only described in documents)
  • 1x 102 mm + 4x 40 mm (Armement mid-life)
  • 5x 40 mm (Coastal Air Defence)
  • other (please comment)
  • no/negative
0 voters
1 Like
4

photo_39

copie_10

photo_37

dufour10

j337-110

Here are the format plans of the Algerian-class HMCS Winnipeg J337, which would enter Belgian service with this loadout and would be refitted later and sail under the name: F903 A.F. Dufour (ex HMCS Winnipeg)