# HMCS Kapuskasing

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Royal Canadian Navy minesweeper

History Canada Name Kapuskasing Namesake Kapuskasing, Ontario Ordered 12 December 1941 Builder Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Port Arthur Laid down 19 December 1942[1] Launched 22 July 1943 Commissioned 17 August 1944 Decommissioned 27 March 1946 Identification pennant number: J236 Recommissioned 1949 Decommissioned 1972 Identification pennant number: 171 Honors and awards Atlantic, 1944–1945[2][3] Fate Expended as target 1978 Notes Colours: White and dark green[3] Badge Vert, shakefork couped, barry wavy argent and azure[3][4] General characteristics Class & type Algerine-class minesweeper Displacement 1,030 long tons (1,047 t) (standard) 1,325 long tons (1,346 t) (deep) 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 2 × Admiralty 3-drum boilers 2,400 ihp (1,800 kW) Propulsion 2 shafts 2 vertical triple-expansion steam engines 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 1 × QF 4 in (102 mm) Mk V anti-aircraft gun 4 × twin Oerlikon 20 mm cannon 1 × Hedgehog

**HMCS *Kapuskasing*** was an [*Algerine*-class](/source/Algerine-class_minesweeper) [minesweeper](/source/Minesweeper) that served in the [Royal Canadian Navy](/source/Royal_Canadian_Navy) during the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War). The vessel was primarily used as a convoy escort in the [Battle of the Atlantic](/source/Battle_of_the_Atlantic). Following the war she saw service as a [hydrographic survey ship](/source/Research_vessel#Hydrographic_survey) with the [Department of Mines](/source/Natural_Resources_Canada). She was named for [Kapuskasing](/source/Kapuskasing), [Ontario](/source/Ontario).

## Design and description

The reciprocating group displaced 1,010–1,030 long tons (1,030–1,050 t) at [standard](/source/Displacement_(ship)) load and 1,305–1,325 long tons (1,326–1,346 t) at [deep load](/source/Deep_load) The ships measured 225 feet (68.6 m) [long overall](/source/Length_overall) with a [beam](/source/Beam_(nautical)) of 35 feet 6 inches (10.8 m). They had a [draught](/source/Draft_(hull)) of 12 feet 3 inches (3.7 m). The ships' complement consisted of 85 officers and [ratings](/source/Naval_rating).[5]

The reciprocating ships had two [vertical triple-expansion steam engines](/source/Marine_steam_engine#Triple_or_multiple_expansion), each driving one shaft, using steam provided by two [Admiralty three-drum boilers](/source/Admiralty_three-drum_boiler). The engines produced a total of 2,400 [indicated horsepower](/source/Horsepower#Indicated_horsepower) (1,800 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 16.5 [knots](/source/Knot_(unit)) (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph). They carried a maximum of 660 long tons (671 t) of [fuel oil](/source/Fuel_oil) that gave them a range of 5,000 [nautical miles](/source/Nautical_mile) (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).[5]

The *Algerine* class was armed with a [QF 4 in (102 mm) Mk V](/source/QF_4_inch_Mk_V_naval_gun) [anti-aircraft gun](/source/Anti-aircraft_gun)[6] and four twin-gun mounts for [Oerlikon 20 mm cannon](/source/Oerlikon_20_mm_cannon). The latter guns were in short supply when the first ships were being completed and they often got a proportion of single mounts. By 1944, single-barrel [Bofors 40 mm](/source/Bofors_40_mm_Automatic_Gun_L%2F60) mounts began replacing the twin 20 mm mounts on a one for one basis. All of the ships were fitted for four throwers and two rails for [depth charges](/source/Depth_charge). Many Canadian ships omitted their sweeping gear in exchange for a 24-barrel [Hedgehog](/source/Hedgehog_(weapon)) [spigot mortar](/source/Spigot_mortar) and a stowage capacity for 90+ depth charges.[5]

## Construction and career

*Kapuskasing* was ordered on 12 December 1941.[7] The ship was [laid down](/source/Keel_laying) on 19 December 1942 by [Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.](/source/Western_Dry_Dock_and_Shipbuilding_Company) at [Port Arthur, Ontario](/source/Port_Arthur%2C_Ontario) and [launched](/source/Ceremonial_ship_launching) 22 July 1943.[7][8] The vessel was [commissioned](/source/Ship_commissioning) into the Royal Canadian Navy on 17 August 1944 at Port Arthur, with the pennant J326.[8]

After commissioning, *Kapuskasing* was sent to [Bermuda](/source/Bermuda) to work up. Upon the vessel's return to Canadian waters, she was assigned to the [Western Escort Force](/source/Western_Local_Escort_Force) as Senior Officer's Ship of escort group W-1. As Senior Officer Ship, the commander of the escort would be aboard her during convoy missions.[9] Primarily used as a convoy escort, the ship remained with the group until the end of hostilities in the Atlantic Ocean. The group was disbanded in June 1945 and she was placed in maintenance reserve at [Sydney, Nova Scotia](/source/Sydney%2C_Nova_Scotia).[8]

In November 1945, *Kapuskasing* underwent a refit at [Halifax](/source/Halifax%2C_Nova_Scotia) and upon its completion, was paid off into the reserve on 27 March 1946.[8]

In 1949, *Kapuskasing* was recommissioned and was assigned pennant 171. The vessel was loaned to the [Department of Mines and Technical Surveys](/source/Department_of_Mines_and_Technical_Surveys) for use as a hydrographic survey platform. The ship was returned to the Royal Canadian Navy in 1972. On 3 October 1978, she was taken to sea and sunk as a naval target.[8]

## See also

- [List of ships of the Canadian Navy](/source/List_of_ships_of_the_Canadian_Navy)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-readyayeready_1-0)** ["HMCS Kapuskasing"](http://www.readyayeready.com/ships/shipview.php?id=1195?ship=KAPUSKASING). *www.readyayeready.com*. Retrieved 18 November 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Britain_2-0)** ["Battle Honours"](http://www.britainsnavy.co.uk/Battle%20Honours/A%20Battle%20Honour%20Date.htm#1900). *Britain's Navy*. Retrieved 30 August 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-a1_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-a1_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-a1_3-2) Arbuckle, p. 53

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The Canadian Design Resource – Ship's Badge HMCS *Kapuskasing*"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120223155654/http://www.canadiandesignresource.ca/officialgallery/symbols/ships-badge-hmcs-kapuskasing/). *www.canadiandesignresource.ca*. Archived from [the original](http://www.canadiandesignresource.ca/officialgallery/symbols/ships-badge-hmcs-kapuskasing/) on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-l3_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-l3_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-l3_5-2) Lenton, p. 261

1. **[^](#cite_ref-c1_6-0)** Chesneau, p. 65

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-u1_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-u1_7-1) ["HMCS Kapuskasing (J 326)"](http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3821.html). *www.uboat.net*. Retrieved 30 August 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-m1_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-m1_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-m1_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-m1_8-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-m1_8-4) Macpherson & Barrie, p. 196

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Burn, p. 242

## References

- Arbuckle, J. Graeme (1987). *Badges of the Canadian Navy*. Halifax, Nova Scotia: Nimbus Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-920852-49-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-920852-49-1).

- Burn, Alan (1999). *The Fighting Commodores: The Convoy Commanders in the Second World War*. London: Leo Cooper. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780850525045](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780850525045).

- Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980). *Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946*. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-85177-146-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-85177-146-7).

- [Colledge, J. J.](/source/J._J._Colledge); Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. [*Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of All Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy from the 15th Century to the Present*](/source/Ships_of_the_Royal_Navy) (3rd Rev ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-86176-281-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-86176-281-8). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [67375475](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/67375475).

- [Lenton, H. T.](/source/Henry_Trevor_Lenton) (1998). *British & Empire Warships of the Second World War*. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-55750-048-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/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](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-55125-072-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-55125-072-1).

v t e Algerine-class minesweepers Royal Navy Acute Alarm Albacore Algerine Antares Arcturus Aries Bramble Brave Cadmus Chameleon Cheerful Circe Clinton Cockatrice Coquette Courier Espiegle Fancy Fantome Felicity Fierce Fly Flying Fish Friendship Golden Fleece Gozo Hare Hound Hydra Jaseur Jewel Laertes Larne Lennox Liberty Lightfoot Lioness Loyalty Lysander Maenad Magicienne Mameluke Mandate Mariner Marmion Marvel Mary Rose Melita Michael Minstrel Moon Mutine Myrmidon Mystic Nerissa Niger Octavia Onyx Orcadia Orestes Ossory Pelorus Persian Pickle Pincher Plucky Pluto Polaris Postillion Prompt Providence Pyrrhus Rattler Rattlesnake Ready Recruit Regulus Rifleman Rinaldo Romola Rosamund Rosario Rowena Seabear Serene Skipjack Spanker Squirrel Stormcloud Sylvia Tanganyika Thisbe Truelove Vestal Waterwitch Wave Welcome Welfare Royal Canadian Navy Border Cities Fort Frances Kapuskasing Middlesex New Liskeard Oshawa Portage Rockcliffe Sault Ste. Marie St. Boniface Wallaceburg Winnipeg Post-World War II operators Belgian Navy Adrien de Gerlache (ex-Liberty) De Brouwer (ex-Spanker) De Moor (ex-Rosario) Dufour (1951) (ex-Fancy) Dufour (1959) (ex-Winnipeg) Georges Lecointe (1950) (ex-Cadmus) Georges Lecointe (1959) (ex-Wallaceburg) Van Haverbeke (ex-Ready) Royal Ceylon Navy Parakrama (ex-Pickle) Vijaya (ex-Flying Fish) South African Navy Bloemfontein (ex-Rosamund) Pietermaritzburg (ex-Pelorus)

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1978 Shipwrecks 26 Jan: USS Ross 23 Feb: USS Rowe 16 Mar: Amoco Cadiz 23 Mar: Kronos 7 Apr: Astron 17 Jun: Whippoorwill 25 Jun: Chantal 28 Jun: Margaret Smith 8 Jul: USS Sealion 18 Jul: Birgo 23 Jul: Jayawag 30 Jul: Locuste 3 Aug: SAS Transvaal 27 Aug: USS Cree 3 Oct: HMCS Kapuskasing 18 Oct: HMS Eagle, USS Mackerel 20 Oct: USCGC Cuyahoga 30 Oct: Kiowa 8 Nov: Glacier Queen 16 Nov: Manureva November (unknown date): HMS Undaunted 10 Dec: MV Holoholo 12 Dec: SAS Good Hope 13 Dec: München 30 Dec: Ben Asdale Other incidents 26 Nov: Star Canopus 1977 1979

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [HMCS Kapuskasing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Kapuskasing) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Kapuskasing?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.