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.[2]
On 31 July 1944, she was sent to the Mediterranean under the 7th Minesweeper Flotilla and supported Operation Dragoon on the 15 August. During Operation Edgehill on 15 October, she struck a sea mine while sweeping off Cape Kalouri, Greece, which caused major damage to her boiler and No. 1 fuel tank. Unfortunately, two of her engine room crew were also killed by the explosion. Moreover, the flotilla leader, HMS Clinton, also struck a mine under her bow. The next day on the 16th, Larne was beached at Poros, East Coast of Greece. The ship was towed back shortly after and spent the remainder of the war under repair.[4]
She was then sold to Italy in 1946 with the intention of replacing the lead ship of the Azio-class minelayerAzio, which was expected to be decommissioned.[1]
Service in the Italian Navy
Larne was renamed Ammiraglio Magnaghi and placed in the dock for the first urgent works; later the decision was taken to transform her into a colonial corvette with the name Eritrea, replacing the ship of the same name Eritrea sold to France in compliance with the Peace Treaty. When the colonial needs were lost during the modernization works started on 15 January 1949, she was called Alabarda and classified as an anti-submarinecorvette.[1][5]
In 1954, modernization works were carried out on the unit which saw the installation of a surface target detection radar SO 13, of US origin, and the replacement of the four 37/54 guns with two 40/56 guns.[1][5]
In 1956 she underwent work for the transformation into a team or division command ship. Her deckhouse was extended towards the bow and the 100/47 mm gun was removed.[1][5]
After being decommissioned from the Navy on 1 July 1968, on 17 September, the ship was transferred to the Garaventa Foundation and transformed into a Garaventa training ship.[1][6]
On 12 August 1974, the ship was damaged following a collision with the Monica Rusotti ferry in Genoa and decommissioned in 1975. Transferred to La Spezia, the ship was dismantled and scrapped between 1981 and 1982.[1]
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