Editing HMCS Bonaventure (section)

== History ==
===Construction and acquisition===
[[File:Shipbuilding in Belfast, Northern Ireland, November 1944. A28022.jpg|thumb|HMS ''Powerful'' (right) under construction in Belfast in 1944; {{HMS|Magnificent|R36|6}} is on the adjacent slipway]]
The British government ordered a second hull constructed of what would become the ''Majestic'' class on 16 October 1942 once a dock opened at Harland & Wolff's shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The aircraft carrier's [[keel]] was laid down on 21 November 1943 with the [[yard number]] 1229 and the British Admiralty chose the name ''Powerful'' for the ship. ''Powerful'' was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 27 February 1945. Work was suspended in May 1946 following the end of the Second World War, and the hull was [[Reserve fleet|laid up]] incomplete at Belfast.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=336}}

In 1952, the Royal Canadian Navy was looking to replace their existing aircraft carrier {{HMCS|Magnificent}}.{{sfn|Kealy|Russell|1967|p=99}} On 23 April, the Canadian government authorized the expenditure of $21 million{{efn|equivalent to ${{inflation|CA|21|1953|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|CA}}{{inflation/fn|CA}}}} to acquire ''Powerful''. The Royal Canadian Navy had also been offered a [[Centaur-class aircraft carrier|''Hermes''-class]] aircraft carrier by the United Kingdom but found it too costly and two {{sclass|Essex|aircraft carrier|2}}s on loan from the [[United States Navy]], also considered too costly. The choice of ''Powerful'' was made due to cost considerations as well as financial support for the United Kingdom.{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=210}} Agreement on the purchase of ''Powerful'' was reached on 29 November but was back-dated to 12 July.{{sfn|Kealy|Russell|1967|p=99}} Work on ''Powerful'' resumed, this time to a modernized design incorporating recent carrier operation developments, such as the angled flight deck and steam catapults.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=336}} The design changes cost a further $10 million.{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=210}} Other changes that were incorporated were American radar and armament. Construction was completed on 17 January 1957, and the vessel was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] into the Royal Canadian Navy at Belfast as HMCS ''Bonaventure''. The vessel was christened by the wife of the Canadian [[Minister of National Defence (Canada)|Minister of National Defence]], [[Ralph Campney]].{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=336}}{{sfn|Kealy|Russell|1967|p=100}}

===Early service===
''Bonaventure'' was named for [[Bonaventure Island]], a bird sanctuary in the [[Gulf of St. Lawrence]] and was the first aircraft carrier owned outright by Canada,{{sfn|Kealy|Russell|1967|p=99}} initially tasked with [[Convoy#Naval convoys|trade protection]].{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=210}} In March 1957, the aircraft carrier began [[sea trial|trials]] in the [[English Channel]] with her aircraft. ''Bonaventure'' sailed for Canada on 19 June and arrived at her home port, [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]], on 26 June, carrying the experimental [[hydrofoil]] {{ship||Bras d'Or|R-103|2}} to Canada on her flight deck.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=337}}{{sfn|Kealy|Russell|1967|p=102}} In October, the aircraft carrier began further trials with her air group composed of VF 870 (Banshee), VS 881 (Tracker) and one HO4S helicopter in the [[Caribbean Sea]] that lasted until early 1958. This included cross-deck operations with the Royal Navy aircraft carrier {{HMS|Bulwark|R08|6}}.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=337}} On 2 October, a Banshee fighter flying from ''Bonaventure'' to the naval air base [[CFB Shearwater|HMCS ''Shearwater'']] was lost at sea. The resulting search did not find the plane or the pilot.{{sfn|Kealy|Russell|1967|p=102}} Captain [[William Landymore]] became the ship's senior officer on 15 January 1958.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=237}} On 25 February 1958, a Banshee crashed into the sea after takeoff and the pilot was killed. On 4 March, a Banshee suffered another fatal crash, as the aircraft made a normal deck landing, an apparent brake failure caused the fighter to flip over the port side of the aircraft carrier, killing the pilot.{{sfn|Kealy|Russell|1967|p=104}} Later in the year, ''Bonaventure'' participated in the [[Military exercise|naval exercises]] New Broom IX and Sharp Squall IV.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=337}} During Sharp Squall IV a Banshee was lost off the bow of the ship during takeoff. This time, the pilot was recovered by the [[destroyer]] {{HMCS|Athabaskan|R79|6}}.{{sfn|Kealy|Russell|1967|p=109}} In November 1958, while operating off the [[Grand Banks of Newfoundland]], ''Bonaventure'' and her escorts made contact with a [[Soviet Navy]] [[submarine]] while patrolling around a group of Russian [[fishing trawler]]s.{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=223}} The aircraft carrier ended the year with a visit to the United Kingdom before going into refit at [[Saint John, New Brunswick]].{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=337}} On 12 September 1959, Captain [[John O'Brien (admiral)|John O'Brien]] took command of the ship.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=237}}
[[File:HMCS Bonaventure MIKAN 4821374.jpg|thumb|left|HMCS ''Bonaventure'' from the stern, photo taken in October 1957]]

In 1960, [[NATO]] reorganized their defence of the [[North Atlantic]] and the Canadian contribution to the new plan centred around an ASW [[Hunter-killer Group|hunter-killer group]] led by ''Bonaventure''.{{sfn|Tracy|2012|p=133}} The aircraft carrier rejoined the fleet in November 1960, embarking VF 870 (Banshee), VS 880 (Tracker) and HS 50 (HO4S) squadrons. Beginning in February 1961, ''Bonaventure'' took part in the naval exercise Toput Droit, followed by a period spent training with the [[United States Atlantic Fleet]] in the summer and further naval exercises in October.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=337}} Captain F.C. Frewer took over command of the ship on 30 August 1961.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=237}} In April 1962, ''Bonaventure'' had her 10,000th deck landing by an aircraft (a Tracker).{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=337}} On 30 September 1962, Canada withdrew the Banshee fleet and ''Bonaventure''{{'}}s mission changed to a purely anti-submarine warfare one.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=43}}{{sfn|Milner|2010|pp=229, 233}} The air group was then composed solely of VS 880 and HS 50 squadrons.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=337}}

On 13 October 1962, at the onset of the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], ''Bonaventure'' and the [[1st Canadian Escort Squadron]] were sailing through United Kingdom territorial waters. As the crisis deepened, ''Bonaventure'' and her escorts were recalled to Canada.{{sfn|Milner|2010|pp=233–34}} The ship returned to her homeport following the crisis and, in January 1963, began a refit at Saint John. During the refit, the ship was modified for the operation of the Sea King helicopters. The aircraft carrier rejoined the fleet in May, but suffered a boiler explosion while in port at Halifax. Repairs took six weeks to complete.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=337}} On 7 August, Captain [[Robert Timbrell]] took command of the vessel.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=237}} That year ''Bonaventure'' took part in the Sharp Squall naval exercise and in September, participated in testing ASW defences in the [[Greenland]]-Iceland gap. That was followed by cross-deck operations with the aircraft carrier {{HNLMS|Karel Doorman|R81|6}}.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=337}}

===Mid-life refit and fate===
The 1964 Navy estimates called for the major refit of ''Bonaventure'' in order to extend the aircraft carrier's service life.{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=247}} While the Canadian Naval Board planned the carrier's upcoming refit, ''Bonaventure'' participated in the naval exercise [[Gooey Duck]] which included training off [[Bermuda]] in January and in February, sailed to the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. While there, ''Bonaventure'' was recalled to Canada to embark troops from the Canadian [[Royal 22nd Regiment]] for service in a [[United Nations]] peacekeeping venture. Called Operation Snow Goose, 95 soldiers, 54 vehicles and 400 tons of stores were loaded aboard the aircraft carrier and the ship disembarked them at [[Famagusta]], Cyprus on 30 March.  ''Bonaventure'' then returned to Canada before sailing to [[Norfolk, Virginia]], for trials with the [[A-4 Skyhawk]], a possible replacement for the Banshee. However, due to financial considerations, the Skyhawk was not purchased. In December, ''Bonaventure'' began sea trials with the Sea King helicopter.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|pp=337–338}}

In January 1965, ''Bonaventure''{{'}}s air group was composed of VS 880 (Tracker), HS 50 (Sea King), an HO4S plane guard from HU 21 squadron and a COD Tracker from VU 32 squadron. From February to March 1965, ''Bonaventure'' took part in naval exercises and in May, visited the United Kingdom.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=338}} On 2 April 1965, Captain [[Henry Porter (Canadian admiral)|Henry Porter]] became the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=237}} In June, ''Bonaventure'' visited the Joint Anti-Submarine School at [[Derry|Londonderry]] and took part in joint operations in the [[Southwest Approaches]] with {{HMS|Ark Royal|R09|6}} and HNLMS ''Karel Doorman''. The following year in January, ''Bonaventure'', along with six escorts, took part in the largest Canadian naval activity in the Caribbean Sea and South American waters. During the exercise, the ship visited [[Rio de Janeiro]] in February and in March, returned to Halifax.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=338}}

[[File:CH-124 Sea Kings approach Bonaventure.jpg|thumb|Two [[Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King|CH-124 Sea Kings]] approach ''Bonaventure'' in February 1968]]
[[File:HMCS Bonaventure's downed Sea King.jpg|thumb|A downed Sea King in February 1968{{efn|Sea King 4027 was downed due to engine failure with no casualties. The aircraft was recovered but not returned to service due to saltwater damage.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Robert T. |last=Murray |title=HMCS Bonaventure - CVL 22 and her Aircraft 1957 - 1970 |url=https://documents.techno-science.ca/documents/CASM-Aircrafthistories-HMCSBonaventureCVL-22.pdf |page=28 |publisher=Canada Aviation and Space Museum}}</ref>}}]]
Beginning in April 1966, the carrier began a mid-life refit at [[Davie Shipbuilding]] in [[Lauzon, Quebec]]. The initial estimate for the refit was $8 million. However, during the refit, numerous issues with the ship, which had been present since construction, were found and led to cost overruns and delays. In the end, the refit took 18 months and cost $17 million, both behind schedule and well over budget. The refit was complete in August 1967.{{sfn|Milner|2010|pp=259–260}} During her refit, Captain A. T. Brice became the ship's commanding officer on 1 August 1966. ''Bonaventure'' rejoined the fleet in November 1967 with a new commanding officer, Captain R. H. Falls, who had taken command on 21 November 1966.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=338}}{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=237}}

Following the 1968 [[Unification of the Canadian Forces]], the Royal Canadian Navy ceased to exist and ''Bonaventure'' and naval aviation were merged with the rest of the Canadian Armed Forces, with naval aviation no longer under the jurisdiction of the navy. In February 1968, ''Bonaventure'' took part in a naval exercise in which a Sea King ditched into the sea. The crew were recovered alive and the helicopter was salvaged. In March, the ship visited [[New Orleans]], Louisiana, before spending the next two months in military exercises. 1969 was spent training with the United States Navy and participating in the naval exercise Peace Keeper off [[Ireland]].{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=338}} On 9 April 1969, Captain J. M. Cutts became the senior officer aboard the aircraft carrier.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=237}} ''Bonaventure'' visited [[Portsmouth]] before sailing to Canada on 22 October 1969. As the Canadian military sought to cut spending, ''Bonaventure'' was deemed surplus and the last night deck landing took place on 28 October, followed by a visit to [[Boston]], Massachusetts, before the last deck landing aboard ''Bonaventure'' took place on 12 December 1969.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=338}}{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=264}}

A few last missions were left for ''Bonaventure''. On 9 January 1970, Captain H. W. Vondette became the final commanding officer of ''Bonaventure''.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=237}} In January 1970, the aircraft carrier (minus her aircraft) was sent to carry troops of the Royal 22nd Regiment to [[Jamaica]] for training exercises. In February, ''Bonaventure'' was used as a [[replenishment oiler]] to replenish the fuel stores of [[frigate]]s taking part in the Exercise Maple Spring. During this operation, ''Bonaventure'' had six Sea Kings of HS 50 aboard. In April the ship was sent to recover Canadian forces from [[Narvik]], Norway, after a military exercise and made a final visit to Portsmouth on the way back to Canada.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=339}}

''Bonaventure'' was [[Ship commissioning#Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] at HMC Dockyard in Halifax on 3 July 1970, and sold for disposal.{{sfn|Beaver|1982|p=119}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Bonaventure ends long career today |work=Halifax Chronicle-Herald |date=3 July 1970 |page=16}}</ref> During the component recovery process, parts from ''Bonaventure''{{'s}} steam catapult were used to undertake repairs to the catapult of her sister ship, {{HMAS|Melbourne|R21|6}} of the [[Royal Australian Navy]].{{sfn|Hall|1982|p=213}} The vessel was purchased by Tung Chen S Steel Company of [[Taiwan]] for scrap and [[Ship breaking|broken up]] in 1971.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=339}}