HMS Larne (J274)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Larne.

HMS Larne (J274) was a reciprocating engine-powered Algerine-class minesweeper during the Second World War. She survived the war and was sold to Italy in 1947 as Alabarda (F 560).

Alabarda (F 560)
History
United Kingdom
Name	Larne
Namesake	Larne
Ordered	3 May 1942
Builder	Lobnitz & Company, Renfrew
Laid down	25 January 1943
Launched	2 September 1943
Commissioned	22 November 1943
Decommissioned	1946
Identification	Pennant number: J274
Fate	Sold to the Italy, 1946
Italy
Name	Eritrea
Namesake	Eritrea
Acquired	1946
Commissioned	1 April 1950[1]
Renamed	Alabarda
Namesake	Alabarda
Decommissioned	1 July 1968
Homeport	Taranto
Identification	Pennant number: F 560
Fate	Scrapped, 1981
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

Design and description

Main article: Algerine-class minesweeper

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

The Algerine class was armed with a QF 4 in (102 mm) Mk V anti-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]

Construction and career

Service in the Royal Navy

The ship was ordered on 3 May 1942 at the Lobnitz & Company at Renfrew, Scotland. She was laid down on 25 January 1943 and launched on 2 September 1942. She was commissioned on 22 November 1943.^[4]

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 minelayer Azio, which was expected to be decommissioned.^[1]

Service in the Italian Navy

Larne was initially renamed Ammiraglio Magnaghi and later Alabarda