HMCS Algonquin (DDG 283) was an that served in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) from 1973 to 2015.
Algonquin was the fourth ship of her class which is sometimes referred to as the Tribal class or the 280 class. She is the second vessel to use the designation . Algonquin carried the hull classification symbol DDG.
Algonquin was originally designed to be primarily an anti-submarine destroyer. The Iroquois-class destroyers were the first ships in the Royal Canadian Navy (other than the ) to carry multiple helicopters, and were the first ships to be powered entirely by gas turbines in a COGOG (Combined Gas Or Gas) arrangement. Algonquin underwent a major refit called the Tribal Class Update and Modernization Program (TRUMP) from 1987 to 1991 and emerged as an area air defence destroyer.
She was assigned to Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and was homeported at CFB Esquimalt.
Design On 26 October 1987, Algonquin entered the Tribal Class Update and Modernization Project refit, dubbed TRUMP, at MIL-Davie, Lauzon. Labour problems and contract disputes delayed completion of the work until 11 Oct 1991.
As a modernization concept, origins of the idea date back to the early 1980s. By the mid-1980s the Canadian Federal Government had decided on the necessity of upgrading the Iroquois-class ships and released a request for proposal, foreseeing complete refurbishment. The project resulted in a thorough refurbishment of the ship and modernization of mechanical, electronic and weapon systems.
Litton Systems Canada was selected as prime contractor and project manager after submitting a detailed 4000+ page proposal which emphasized, maximum automation and software engineering This aspect of the ship was extremely important due to the desired high level of automation in real-time command and control functions on the refurbished ships. Software engineering military standards were fairly recent and not yet widely assimilated, so Litton had to exercise particular caution in the areas of software configuration management (SCM) and software quality assurance (SQA). Litton's Proposal to the Canadian Federal Government had a 250-page SCM and SQA policies section which was accepted without a single edit due to highly sensitive and farsighted work of the Advance Programs Division Technical Contract Team at Litton who established a massive and capable engineering force by 1988–89.
The entire class underwent major retrofits in the early 1990s as a part of the Tribal Class Update and Modernization Project. These refits had the effect of re-purposing the ships for area air defence; following, Iroquois-class ships were also referred to as air defence destroyers. This resulted in an update of vessel designation from DDH (Destroyer Helicopter) to DDG (Destroyer Guided Missile). Their former anti-submarine role was largely assumed by the s.
The main weapon of the new design was the Mk.41 VLS, firing 29 SM-2 Block III long-range anti-aircraft missiles. To provide room for the VLS, the original 5-in L54 gun was replaced with the smaller, but much faster firing, Oto Melara 76 mm gun, relocated from the deck to the bridgework above it. A Phalanx CIWS (Close-in Weapon System) was also added for self-defence. The torpedo tubes were retained, but the Limbo and Sea Sparrow systems were removed.
The modernization also replaced the original Pratt & Whitney FT12 cruise turbines with newer 570-KF engines from Allison. The speed remained the same, as weight had increased to 5,100 tons full load. The original split funnel was replaced by a simpler single funnel, giving the ship a reduced heat signature due to cooler engine exhaust.
Construction and career
Algonquin, named for the Algonquin people, was laid down on 1 September 1969 by Davie Shipbuilding at Lauzon, Quebec. The ship was launched on 23 April 1971, christened on 27 AprilMacpherson and Barrie, p.263 and commissioned into the Canadian Forces on 3 November 1973.
On 9 November, while undertaking a six-day passage, Algonquin conducted first crew readiness work-ups (WUPS) at sea. During this time, the ship embarked her first CH-124 Sea King helicopter. The destroyer was initially stationed out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. On 28 November, Algonquin departed Halifax to participate in the naval exercise MARCOT 3/73 with the destroyer escorts and .UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1973
In 1974, the destroyer rescued the crew of the fishing vessel Paul & Maria, which sank east of Halifax.Macpherson and Barrie, p.262 On 10 January 1975, Algonquin sailed for Portland, England to take up duties as flagship for the NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT) in consort with the US frigate . On 21 May, Algonquin sailed in company with the replenishment oiler , sister ship and the destroyer escorts and for Bermuda for exercise MARCOT 75.UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1975
In August 1976, Algonquin participated in the search and rescue (SAR) of the fishing vessel Peggy's Cove which had been in a collision with the freighter Arosia. On 8 November, Algonquin was ordered to sea to assist the fisheries protection vessel Chebucto which was attempting to arrest two Cuban fishing vessels believed to be violating Canadian Coastal Fisheries Laws in the approaches to Halifax harbour.UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1976 On 12 January 1977, Algonquin deployed for CARIBEX 1–77 Assiniboine, Protecteur and Margaree, part of the United States Navy (USN) exercise Springboard 77 in the Puerto Rican operating area. Algonquin was assigned flagship of First Canadian Destroyer Squadron.UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1977
On 27 May 1978 Algonquin was awarded the L.W. Murray Trophy for gunnery excellence and the 20 Knot Mortar Firing Trophy, both of which were retained by Algonquin for the second year running. She served as the Canadian trials ship for the jointly United States and Canadian developed AN/SAR-8 Infrared Search and Target Designation System, having the Advanced Development Model installed in June for sea trials. On 28 August, the ship departed Halifax for the NATO exercise Northern Wedding. On 26 September Algonquin assumed the role of flagship to the Canadian Commander of STANAVFORLANT from sister ship , and was one of a seven ship squadron.UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1979 From 15 to 18 November, the ship was part of STANAVFORLANT and conducted anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations in the Baltic Sea.UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1978 She continued as part of the STANAVFORLANT force into 1979, tracking and shadowing Warsaw Pact submarines in the North Atlantic.
1980s A scheduled refit postponed to 1981 resulted in Algonquins exclusion in any national or NATO exercises. Algonquin presented the ASW Proficiency Shield and the 20 Knot Trophy. On 26 January, a fire, rated as "A" class, occurred in the forward decontamination compartment. The fire was believed to have been caused by toilet paper, stored temporarily in the space, coming into contact with a steam radiator. In November, the ship participated in ASW exercises, torpedo firings and pro-submarine exercises with the submarine .UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1980 The postponed refit occurred from January–July 1981, noted to have been completed on time, as scheduled. Additions included Surface and Air Weapon Information System (SAWIS) performance monitoring equipment for the Gun/Missile Fire Control System and 84 tons of ballast in the aft section of the ship. The ship worked-up in August and September, and in November participated in the naval exercise MARCOT 2/81.UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1981
Algonquin participated in two major deployments in 1982, beginning with CARIBOPS 82 for two months and then STANAVFORLANT for five months as flagship of the fleet. Algonquin took part in a search for an American A7 Aircraft believed to have crashed just north of Puerto Rico; no detail on the aircraft or search was provided. In February, during CARIBOPS 82, Algonquin was dispatched west of Martinique where the diving support vessel was drifting, having lost all propulsion. Proceeding with all dispatch, Algonquin met Cormorant the same day and the decision was taken to tow her to Bridgetown, Barbados. In March, Algonquin participated in NATO exercise SAFEPASS 82 which was designed to test convoy procedures. In August, Algonquin joined STANAVFORLANT in the North Sea. On 5 August, Algonquin assumed the duties of flagship of the Standing Naval Force Atlantic. In September, Algonquin operated in the vicinity the Shetland Islands for Exercise Northern Wedding 82 during which she provided close ASW escort to a USN amphibious task force which was tasked to land on the coast of Jutland in Denmark. In October, the ship conducted operations with the Danish Navy in the Western Baltic. In November, Algonquin participated in the Royal Navy exercise JMC 824, and trained ships in procedures to counter multiple threats. In December, the destroyer took part in a brief transit exercise with units of the French Navy, with Algonquin leading the Force across the English Channel.UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1982
In February 1983, the ship took part in CARIBOPS 83. In June, Algonquin participated in MARCOT 1/83 near Bermuda, focusing on passive detection capabilities of ASW. In October, Algonquin participated in MARCOT 2/83, an ASW exercise focusing on shallow water detection, mainly staged in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1983 In February 1984, Algonquin guarded the aircraft carrier for 36 straight sea days. In April, Algonquin transited to Montreal to go into dry dock until August. In October, Algonquin sailed to Bermuda. 1984 would be the last year Algonquin would embark a Helicopter Air Detachment as part of the ship's company for 10 years.UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1984
In early 1985, the ship took part in air defence exercises, trials and fisheries patrols. Algonquin was one 33 ships anchored in Bedford Basin to celebrate the Canadian naval service's 75th anniversary. In June, the destroyer sailed the Saint Lawrence River to continue anniversary celebrations. That August, Algonquin participated in the NATO exercise OCEAN SAFARI.UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1985 On 1 March 1986 Algonquin was deployed to assist the fisheries protection vessel Cape Rogers in escorting Panamanian fishing trawler Peonia 7 into St. John's after the fishing trawler had ignored orders to put into St. John's and had attempted to flee to international waters with two officers from the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans aboard.UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1986
In February 1987, the ship deployed for CARIBOPS 87. Algonquin joined STANAVFORLANT from March–May as flagship. In May, she participated in the annual exercise "Open Gate" held in the Strait of Gibraltar. In June, she participated in the NATO exercise "Vendetta", in the North Sea. That October, the ship sailed to Lauzon, Quebec to commence her TRUMP refit at MIL-Davie Shipyards, beginning on 26 October.UIC 7714 HMCS ALGONQUIN Annual Historical Report 1987
1990s Algonquins refit was completed on 11 October 1991.UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1990 The ship was reclassified from Destroyer Helicopter (DDH) to Destroyer Guided Missile (DDG). Stability tests nearly led to Algonquin capsizing where the ship was stuck at a 25 degree incline for several hours.UIC 7714 HMCS Algonquin Annual Historical Report 1991