HMCS Fort William (pennant J311) was a Bangor-class minesweeper built for the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II. Laid down on 18 August 1941 by Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co. in Ontario, she was launched on 30 December 1941 and commissioned on 25 August 1942. She measured 180 feet in length overall, with a beam of 28 feet 6 inches and a draught of 9 feet 9 inches, displacing approximately 672 long tons. The vessel was powered by two vertical triple-expansion steam engines, each driving a single shaft, utilizing steam from two Admiralty three-drum boilers. This propulsion system produced 2,400 indicated horsepower, allowing a maximum speed of 16.5 knots. Fort William could carry up to 150 long tons of fuel oil. Armament included a single QF 12-pounder 3-inch gun mounted forward, a QF 2-pounder Mark VIII aft, and later, additional single-mounted QF 20 mm Oerlikon guns on the bridge wings, which were eventually upgraded to twin mounts. For anti-submarine warfare, the vessel was equipped with two depth charge launchers and four chutes capable of deploying 40 depth charges. Initially assigned to Halifax Force for local convoy escort and patrol duties, Fort William experienced a collision with Lisgar in Halifax Harbour in January 1943, requiring repairs. She transferred to Newfoundland Force in June 1943, serving out of St. John’s until early 1944, when she returned to Halifax for a refit. Following repairs, she participated in the Normandy invasion in June 1944, operating as part of the 31st Minesweeping Flotilla. During the invasion, Fort William cleared and marked channels through German minefields, notably on D-Day, despite encountering enemy shore fire. After the Normandy campaign, she continued Atlantic convoy escort duties until September 1945, returning to Canada and being paid off in October 1945. She was placed in reserve, later reacquired during the Korean War in 1951, and redesignated as a coastal escort with hull number FSE 195, although she never re-entered active service. In 1957, she was sold to Turkey, renamed Bodrum, and served until 1971, when she was discarded and broken up in Turkey.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.