The reciprocating group 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 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 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]
Following her commissioning, the minesweeper sailed up the St. Lawrence River to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Oshawa was then sent to Bermuda to perform her work ups in September 1944. Upon her return, the ship was assigned to the Western Escort Force for convoy escort duties in the Battle of the Atlantic. Oshawa was made Senior Officer Ship of escort group W-6.[4] As Senior Officer Ship, the commander of the escort would be aboard her during convoy missions.[5] She remained with the group until it was disbanded in June 1945.[4] As part of escort group W-6, Oshawa aided in the capture of the German Type IX submarineU-889 on 12 May 175 miles (282 km) southeast off the coast of Cape Race, Newfoundland.[6]
Following the group's disbandment, Oshawa was paid off and placed in reserve at Sydney, Nova Scotia. She was recommissioned on 24 October 1945 and transferred to the west coast, where the minesweeper was paid off into reserve again on 26 February 1946. She was recommissioned for the last time on 11 April 1956 after having been converted for oceanographic research and wore pennant 174 until paid off on 7 November 1958.[4]
After her disposal by the Royal Canadian Navy, Oshawa continued as a civilian oceanographic research vessel. She remained in that role until the ship was sold and scrapped at Victoria, British Columbia in 1966.[4]
Hadley, Michael L. (1985). U-Boats Against Canada: German Submarines in Canadian Waters. Montreal, Quebec and Kingston, Ontario: McGill-Queen's University Press. ISBN0-7735-0811-2.
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.