The reciprocating group of the Algerine-classminesweepers displaced 1,010–1,030 long tons (1,030–1,050 t) at standard load and 1,305–1,325 long tons (1,326–1,346 t) at deep load The ships measured 225 feet (68.6 m) long overall with a beam of 35 feet 6 inches (10.8 m). They had a draught of 12 feet 3 inches (3.7 m). The ships' complement consisted of 85 officers and ratings.[2]
The Algerine class was armed with a QF 4 in (102 mm) Mk Vanti-aircraft gun[3] and four twin-gun mounts for Oerlikon 20 mm (0.79 in) 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 (1.6 in) 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. Many Canadian ships omitted their sweeping gear in exchange for a 24-barrel Hedgehogspigot mortar and a stowage capacity for 90+ depth charges.[2]
The minesweeper made her way up the St. Lawrence River to Halifax and performed workups in the Pictou, Nova Scotia region from November to December 1943. Following workups, the ship was assigned to the Western Escort Force for convoy escort duties in the Battle of the Atlantic. She was made Senior Officer Ship of the escort group W-5 upon joining.[4] As Senior Officer Ship, the commander of the escort would be aboard her during convoy missions.[5] She remained a part of this group until mid-April 1944, when she transferred as Senior Officer Ship of escort group W-4. St. Boniface continued in this role until December 1944 when she put into Halifax to undergo minor repairs. After working up in Bermuda, she returned to escort group W-4.[4]
On 18 April 1945, St. Boniface collided with the merchant vessel SS Empire Chamois in the approaches to Halifax. The minesweeper made Halifax under her own power but had suffered significant damage. The repairs took three months, at which point, W-4 was disbanded in June. In August, the ship was made a training vessel at HMCS Cornwallis, remaining at this post until January 1946. St. Boniface was placed in reserve at Halifax and remained there until being paid off on 25 June 1946. St. Boniface was then sold for mercantile use and was last registered as Bess Barry M. in 1954 under a Panamanian flag.[4]
Burn, Alan (1999). The Fighting Commodores: The Convoy Commanders in the Second World War. London: Leo Cooper. ISBN9780850525045.
Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN0-85177-146-7.
Lenton, H. T. (1998). British & Empire Warships of the Second World War. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN1-55750-048-7.
Macpherson, Ken & Barrie, Ron (2002). The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910–2002 (3 ed.). St. Catharines, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing. ISBN1-55125-072-1.
