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|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Ship country=Canada
|Ship country=Canada
|Ship flag=[[file:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|border|link=|100px]]
|Ship flag=[[File:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|border|link=|100px]]
|Ship name=HMCS ''Bonaventure''
|Ship name=HMCS ''Bonaventure''
|Ship namesake=[[Bonaventure Island]]
|Ship namesake=[[Bonaventure Island]]
|Ship ordered=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder= [[Harland & Wolff]], [[Belfast]], [[UK]]
|Ship builder= [[Harland & Wolff]], [[Belfast]], [[UK]]
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|Ship class={{Sclass|Majestic|aircraft carrier}}
|Ship class={{Sclass|Majestic|aircraft carrier}}
|Ship displacement=16,000 tonnes
|Ship displacement=16,000 tonnes
|Ship length={{convert|629.9|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship length={{convert|629.9|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|79.9|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|79.9|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|24.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|24.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion= [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] single-reduction geared [[steam turbine]]s, four Admiralty 3-drum type 350 psi (2.4 MPa) boilers, two shafts; {{convert|40,000|hp|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion= [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] single-reduction geared [[steam turbine]]s, four Admiralty 3-drum type 350 psi (2.4 MPa) boilers, two shafts; {{convert|40,000|hp|abbr=on}}
|Ship speed= {{convert|24.5|kn|km/h}}
|Ship speed= {{convert|24.5|kn|km/h}}
|Ship range=
|Ship range=
|Ship complement= 1,200 (1,370 war)
|Ship complement= 1,200 (1,370 war)
|Ship sensors=
|Ship sensors=
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== History ==
== History ==
As HMS ''Powerful'' she was laid down at [[Harland and Wolff]] in [[Belfast]] on 21 November 1943, and launched on 27 February 1945. Work was suspended after the end of [[World War II]], and was not resumed until the ship was bought by [[Canada]]. She was acquired in the early 1950s by the Royal Canadian Navy, which was looking to replace its aging World War II–vintage [[light aircraft carrier|light carriers]] [[HMCS Magnificent|''Magnificent'']] (another ''Majestic'' class carrier) and [[HMCS Warrior|''Warrior'']], which were deemed unsuitable for the jet age. Several surplus U.S. and UK ships were considered, and the then-incomplete HMS ''Powerful'', a ''Majestic''-class light fleet carrier, was purchased in 1952 from the [[Royal Navy]] on the condition that it be refitted with an angled [[flight deck]] and [[steam catapult]]. ''Bonaventure''—named after [[Bonaventure Island]], a bird sanctuary in the [[Gulf of St. Lawrence]]—was commissioned into the Canadian Navy upon completion of its refit and modernization on 17 January 1957. In 1966 the carrier docked in [[Quebec City, Quebec|Quebec]] for a mid-life refit. This second refit took 18 months and cost $11 million. After the 1968 [[Unification of the Canadian Forces|unification of the Canadian armed services]], the ''Bonaventure'' was decommissioned in Halifax, on 3 July 1970, and was scrapped in Taiwan in 1971. Components from ''Bonaventure''{{'s}} steam catapult were used to rebuild the catapult aboard Australian aircraft carrier [[HMAS Melbourne (R21)|HMAS ''Melbourne'']].<ref name=Hall213>Hall, p. 213.</ref>
As HMS ''Powerful'' she was laid down at [[Harland and Wolff]] in [[Belfast]] on 21 November 1943, and launched on 27 February 1945. Work was suspended after the end of [[World War II]], and was not resumed until the ship was bought by [[Canada]]. She was acquired in the early 1950s by the Royal Canadian Navy, which was looking to replace its aging World War II–vintage [[light aircraft carrier|light carriers]] [[HMCS Magnificent|''Magnificent'']] (another ''Majestic'' class carrier) and [[HMCS Warrior|''Warrior'']], which were deemed unsuitable for the jet age. Several surplus US and UK ships were considered, and the then-incomplete HMS ''Powerful'', a ''Majestic''-class light fleet carrier, was purchased in 1952 from the [[Royal Navy]] on the condition that it be refitted with an angled [[flight deck]] and [[steam catapult]]. ''Bonaventure''—named after [[Bonaventure Island]], a bird sanctuary in the [[Gulf of St. Lawrence]]—was commissioned into the Canadian Navy upon completion of its refit and modernization on 17 January 1957. In 1966 the carrier docked in [[Quebec City, Quebec|Quebec]] for a mid-life refit. This second refit took 18 months and cost $11 million. After the 1968 [[Unification of the Canadian Forces|unification of the Canadian armed services]], the ''Bonaventure'' was decommissioned in Halifax, on 3 July 1970, and was scrapped in Taiwan in 1971. Components from ''Bonaventure''{{'s}} steam catapult were used to rebuild the catapult aboard Australian aircraft carrier [[HMAS Melbourne (R21)|HMAS ''Melbourne'']].<ref name=Hall213>Hall, p. 213.</ref>


== Role ==
== Role ==
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Propulsion: [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] single-reduction geared [[steam turbine]]s, four Admiralty 3-drum type 350&nbsp;psi (2.4&nbsp;MPa) [[boiler]]s, two shafts; 40,000&nbsp;shp (30&nbsp;MW)<br>
Propulsion: [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] single-reduction geared [[steam turbine]]s, four Admiralty 3-drum type 350&nbsp;psi (2.4&nbsp;MPa) [[boiler]]s, two shafts; 40,000&nbsp;shp (30&nbsp;MW)<br>
Speed Maximum: 24.5&nbsp;[[knot (unit)|knots]] (45&nbsp;km/h)<br>
Speed Maximum: 24.5&nbsp;[[knot (unit)|knots]] (45&nbsp;km/h)<br>
Crew: 1200; 1370 war<br>
Crew: 1200; 1370 war<br>
Aviation: Around 34 aircraft, including:
Aviation: Around 34 aircraft, including:
* HS 50 Squadron: Sikorsky HO4S
* HS 50 Squadron: Sikorsky HO4S
* VF 870 and VF 871 Squadron: McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee
* VF 870 and VF 871 Squadron: McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee
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Propulsion: Parsons single-reduction geared steam turbines, four Admiralty 3-drum type 350&nbsp;psi (2.4&nbsp;MPa) boilers, two shafts; 40,000&nbsp;shp (30&nbsp;MW)<br>
Propulsion: Parsons single-reduction geared steam turbines, four Admiralty 3-drum type 350&nbsp;psi (2.4&nbsp;MPa) boilers, two shafts; 40,000&nbsp;shp (30&nbsp;MW)<br>
Speed Maximum: 24.5&nbsp;knots (45&nbsp;km/h)<br>
Speed Maximum: 24.5&nbsp;knots (45&nbsp;km/h)<br>
Crew: 1200; 1370 war<br>
Crew: 1200; 1370 war<br>
Aviation: Around '''21''' aircraft, including:
Aviation: Around '''21''' aircraft, including:
* HS 50 Squadron: Sikorsky HO4S
* HS 50 Squadron: Sikorsky HO4S
* '''HS 50, HU 21, and VX 10 Squadron: Sikorsky CHSS-2 Sea King'''
* '''HS 50, HU 21, and VX 10 Squadron: Sikorsky CHSS-2 Sea King'''
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{{Majestic-class aircraft carriers}}
{{Majestic-class aircraft carriers}}


{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2011}}
⚫
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bonaventure (CVL 22)}}

⚫
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bonaventure (Cvl 22)}}
[[Category:Majestic class aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:Majestic class aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:Belfast-built ships]]
[[Category:Belfast-built ships]]

Revision as of 09:50, 25 October 2011

HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) in 1961
History
Canada
NameHMCS Bonaventure
NamesakeBonaventure Island
BuilderHarland & Wolff, Belfast, UK
Laid down27 November 1943
Launched27 February 1945
Acquired23 April 1952
Commissioned17 January 1957
Decommissioned3 July 1970
HomeportHalifax, Nova Scotia
Nickname(s)"The Bonnie"
FateBroken up 1971
General characteristics
Class and typeMajestic-class aircraft carrier
Displacement16,000 tonnes
Length629.9 ft (192.0 m)
Beam79.9 ft (24.4 m)
Draught24.5 ft (7.5 m)
PropulsionParsons single-reduction geared steam turbines, four Admiralty 3-drum type 350 psi (2.4 MPa) boilers, two shafts; 40,000 hp (30,000 kW)
Speed24.5 knots (45.4 km/h)
Complement1,200 (1,370 war)
Armamentlist error: <br /> list (help)
4 × 3 inch (2 barrelled) guns
8 × Bofors 40 mm guns
Aircraft carriedlist error: <br /> list (help)
34 MD F2H-3 Banshee jet fighters
Grumman CS2F Tracker ASW
Sikorsky HO4S helicopters

HMCS Bonaventure (CVL-22) was a Majestic class aircraft carrier. She served in the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces Maritime Command from 1957 to 1970 and was the third and the last aircraft carrier to serve Canada. The ship was laid down for the British Royal Navy as HMS Powerful in November 1943. At the end of World War II, work on the ship was suspended in 1946. At the time of purchase, it was decided to incorporate new aircraft carrier technologies into the design. Bonaventure never saw action during her career having only peripheral, non-combat roles. However, she was involved in major NATO fleet-at-sea patrol during the Cuban Missile Crisis.[1]

History

As HMS Powerful she was laid down at Harland and Wolff in Belfast on 21 November 1943, and launched on 27 February 1945. Work was suspended after the end of World War II, and was not resumed until the ship was bought by Canada. She was acquired in the early 1950s by the Royal Canadian Navy, which was looking to replace its aging World War II–vintage light carriers Magnificent (another Majestic class carrier) and Warrior, which were deemed unsuitable for the jet age. Several surplus US and UK ships were considered, and the then-incomplete HMS Powerful, a Majestic-class light fleet carrier, was purchased in 1952 from the Royal Navy on the condition that it be refitted with an angled flight deck and steam catapult. Bonaventure—named after Bonaventure Island, a bird sanctuary in the Gulf of St. Lawrence—was commissioned into the Canadian Navy upon completion of its refit and modernization on 17 January 1957. In 1966 the carrier docked in Quebec for a mid-life refit. This second refit took 18 months and cost $11 million. After the 1968 unification of the Canadian armed services, the Bonaventure was decommissioned in Halifax, on 3 July 1970, and was scrapped in Taiwan in 1971. Components from Bonaventure's steam catapult were used to rebuild the catapult aboard Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne.[2]

Role

Bonaventure was the third and final aircraft carrier to be operated by the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces Maritime Command. Bonaventure played various roles during its service including serving as a platform for anti-submarine warfare.[3]

Aircraft

A Canadian F2H-3, 1957.

Bonaventure carried five squadrons. Initially, she had up to 34 planes and helicopters embarked at any time. The number of aircraft gradually reduced until the refit in 1967, when the air group peaked at 21 aircraft. Initially, two types of fixed-wing aircraft were operated from Bonaventure. The McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee were flown by VF 870 and VF 871 Squadron, while Grumman CS2F Tracker anti-submarine warfare (ASW) were operated by VS 880 and VS 881 Squadron. The Bonaventure also carried HO4S helicopter and were operated by HS 50 Squadron.[4]

Even with the refit, landing a Banshee on the Bonaventure's relatively short flight deck was pushing the envelope. The wide-winged CS2F Trackers were also a tight fit. Despite this, and because of the hard work and dedication of her crew, the Bonaventure was able by 1958 to conduct around-the-clock sustained operations, keeping four Trackers and two HO4Ss in the air at all times, saturating an area of 200 square nautical miles (690 km2) with anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The F2H-3 were retired in 1962. In 1964 new CHSS-2 Sea King helicopters were added to Bonaventure's complement.

Description

Before 1967 refit

Displacement: 16,000 t, 19,920 t full load
Dimensions: 192.02 by 24.38 by 7.47 m
Propulsion: Parsons single-reduction geared steam turbines, four Admiralty 3-drum type 350 psi (2.4 MPa) boilers, two shafts; 40,000 shp (30 MW)
Speed Maximum: 24.5 knots (45 km/h)
Crew: 1200; 1370 war
Aviation: Around 34 aircraft, including:

  • HS 50 Squadron: Sikorsky HO4S
  • VF 870 and VF 871 Squadron: McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee
  • VS 880 and VS 881 Squadron: Grumman CS2F Tracker

Flight Deck: 214.58 by 34.29 m
Radar: US AN/SPS-10 surface search, AN/SPS-12 air search, and SPS-8 height finder
Armament: 4 × 3 in (76 mm) 50 twin mounts, 3 × 6 pdr (3 kg) saluting guns

After 1967 refit (alterations in bold)

Displacement: 16,000 tons, and 19,920 tons full load
Dimensions: 192.02 by 24.38 by 7.47 m
Propulsion: Parsons single-reduction geared steam turbines, four Admiralty 3-drum type 350 psi (2.4 MPa) boilers, two shafts; 40,000 shp (30 MW)
Speed Maximum: 24.5 knots (45 km/h)
Crew: 1200; 1370 war
Aviation: Around 21 aircraft, including:

  • HS 50 Squadron: Sikorsky HO4S
  • HS 50, HU 21, and VX 10 Squadron: Sikorsky CHSS-2 Sea King
  • VS 880 and VS 881 Squadron: Grumman CS2F Tracker

Flight Deck: 214.58 by 34.29 m
Radar: US AN/SPS-10 surface search, and AN/SPS-501 air search
Armament: Two 3 in (76 mm) 50 twin mounts, three 6 pounder (3 kg) saluting guns ???

Commemoration

Bonaventure's anchor

The ship's anchor from Bonaventure is preserved at Point Pleasant Park in Halifax where it serves as a monument to the men and women who died while serving the Canadian Navy during Peacetime. The ship's bell from Bonaventure is preserved at the Shearwater Aviation Museum in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia which also hosts a large model and exhibit about the carrier.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.underthecat.com/Bonaventurehistory.html [unreliable source?]
  2. ^ Hall, p. 213.
  3. ^ http://www.friends-amis.org/facts/bonaventure_e.pdf [unreliable source?]
  4. ^ http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/assets/pdf/e_SikorskyHO4S-3S-55Horse.pdf
  • http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Ships/POWERFUL.html
  • Canadian Forces Website
  • Hall, Timothy (1982). HMAS Melbourne. North Sydney, NSW: George Allen & Unwin. ISBN 0-86861-284-7. OCLC 9753221.


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