Editing HMCS Bonaventure

{{short description|Majestic-class aircraft carrier of the Canadian Navy}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) underway 1961.jpeg
|Ship caption=HMCS ''Bonaventure'' in 1961
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=Canada
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Canada|naval}} 
|Ship name=''Bonaventure''
|Ship namesake=[[Saint Bonaventure]]
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[Harland & Wolff]], [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]]
|Ship laid down=27 November 1943
|Ship launched=27 February 1945
|Ship acquired=23 April 1952
|Ship commissioned=17 January 1957
|Ship decommissioned=3 July 1970
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship homeport= [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]]
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship honours=
|Ship fate= Broken up in Taiwan 1971
|Ship motto=''Nos toz seus'' (Not for us alone){{sfn|Arbuckle|1987|p=14}}
|Ship nickname= "Bonnie"
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=On a [[Field (heraldry)|field]] barry wavy of ten [[argent]] and [[Azure (heraldry)|azure]] a horseshoe with base [[Or (heraldry)|or]] in which a [[wyvern]] wings displayed [[gules]] gorged with a [[coronet]] of Canada{{sfn|Arbuckle|1987|p=14}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class={{sclass|Majestic|aircraft carrier}}
|Ship displacement=*normal: {{convert|16000|LT|t|abbr=on|0}}
* full load: {{convert|20000|LT|t|abbr=on|0}}
|Ship length=*waterline: {{convert|629.9|ft|m|abbr=on}}
* flight deck: {{convert|704|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam=*{{convert|79.9|ft|m|abbr=on}}
* deck width: {{convert|112.5|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 boiler|Admiralty 3-drum type]] {{cvt|350|psi}} boilers, two shafts; {{convert|40000|hp|abbr=on}}
|Ship speed= {{convert|24.5|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range=
|Ship complement= 1,200 (1,370 war)
|Ship sensors=*[[AN/SPS-10]] surface search
* [[AN/SPS-12]] air search{{efn|Replaced during 1967 refit with [[AN/SPS-501]] air search radar.}}
* [[AN/SPS-8]] height finder
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*4 × [[3-inch/50-caliber gun|{{convert|3|in|mm|abbr=on|0}}/50-calibre twin-mounted guns]]{{efn|Reduced to two during 1967 refit.}}
* 8 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|Bofors 40 mm guns]]
|Ship armour=
|Ship aircraft=*34 including 16 × [[McDonnell F2H Banshee|McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee]] [[fighter aircraft|jet fighter]]s{{efn|Retired in 1962}}
* [[Grumman S-2 Tracker|Grummann CS2F Tracker]] [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]]
* [[Sikorsky H-19|Sikorsky HO4S]] ASW [[helicopter]]s
* [[Sikorsky CHSS-2 Sea King]] ASW helicopter{{efn|Introduced in 1964.}}
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''HMCS ''Bonaventure''''' was a {{sclass|Majestic|aircraft carrier}}, the third and last aircraft carrier in service with Canada's navy. The aircraft carrier was initially ordered for construction by Britain's [[Royal Navy]] as '''HMS ''Powerful''''' during the [[World War II|Second World War]]. Following the end of the war, construction on the ship was halted and it was not until 1952 that work resumed again, this time to an altered design for the [[Royal Canadian Navy]]. The ship entered service in 1957 renamed ''Bonaventure'' and, until the vessel's [[Ship commissioning#Ship decommissioning|decommissioning]] in 1970, was involved in major [[NATO]] fleet-at-sea patrols and [[Military exercise|naval exercises]] and participated in the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]]. During her career ''Bonaventure'' carried three [[Hull classification symbol (Canada)|hull identification numbers]], RML 22, RRSM 22 and CVL 22. Following her decommissioning ''Bonaventure'' was sold for scrap and [[Ship breaking|broken up]] in Taiwan.

==Description==
Initially [[Keel laying|laid down]] as HMS ''Powerful'' as part of the second batch of the [[1942 Design Light Fleet Carrier|''Colossus'' class]] during the [[Second World War]], the vessel's construction was halted following the end of the war and the constructed [[Hull (watercraft)|hull]] was [[Reserve fleet|laid up]]. ''Powerful'' was purchased by the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] in 1952 and the hull was taken to the [[Harland & Wolff]] shipyard in [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]], to be completed to a modernized design of the ''Majestic'' subclass.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=336}} The ship measured {{convert|704|ft|m|1}} [[Length overall|long overall]] with a maximum [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|128|ft|m}} and a [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|25|ft|m}}. The vessel had a [[Displacement (ship)|standard displacement]] of {{convert|16000|LT|t|0}} and {{convert|20000|LT|t|0}} at full load. ''Bonaventure'' was propelled by two geared [[steam turbine]]s driving two [[Propeller|shafts]] powered by steam from four [[Admiralty boiler|Admiralty three-drum boiler]]s rated at {{convert|40000|shp|lk=in}}.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=43}}{{sfn|Blackman|1953|p=94}} The steam pressure of the engines were rated at {{convert|300|lb/in2|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Blackman|1953|p=94}} The aircraft carrier had a maximum speed of {{convert|24.5|kn|lk=in}} and carried {{convert|3200|LT|t|0}} of [[fuel oil]].{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=43}}

The ship had a [[Ship's company|complement]] of 1,370 officers and [[Naval rating|ratings]]. For additional protection to the [[Magazine (artillery)#Naval magazines|magazines]], [[mantlet]]s were placed over them. The aircraft carrier was armed with four twin-mounted [[3-inch/50-caliber gun|{{convert|3|in|mm|adj=on|0}}]]/50-[[Caliber (artillery)|calibre]] Mk 33 guns and four single {{convert|3|pdr|adj=on}} saluting guns.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=43}} The American 3-inch/50-calibre guns were chosen over [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm guns]].{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=336}} ''Bonaventure'' had a distinct appearance compared to her [[sister ship]]s as she had a tall [[lattice mast]], raked [[Funnel (ship)|funnel]] and large [[sponson]] where the 3-inch guns were situated.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=43}} Adding to her distinct appearance, was that ''Bonaventure'' was completed with [[United States Navy]] [[radar]], specifically the SPS-8A height finder and the SPS-12 air search radar.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=336}}

=== Aircraft ===
[[File:McDonnell F2H-3 Banshees in flight over HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22), in the late 1950s.jpg|thumb|left|Banshees overflying ''Bonaventure'' in the late 1950s]]

As part of the modernized design, ''Bonaventure'' was equipped with three relatively new technologies in relation to her air complement. The ''Majestic'' subclass' design allowed for heavier aircraft, those up to {{convert|20000|lb|kg}} landing at {{convert|87|kn}}, to be launched and recovered.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=323}} ''Bonaventure'' improved on that limit, able to land aircraft of up to {{convert|24000|lb|kg}}. The aircraft [[Elevator#Aircraft elevators|lifts]] were enlarged to {{convert|54|x|34|ft|m}} in order to accommodate larger aircraft.{{sfn|Brown|Moore|2012|p=56}} The new design also incorporated an [[Flight deck#Angled flight deck|angled flight deck]], [[Aircraft catapult#steam catapult|steam catapult]]s, and [[optical landing system]].{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=336}} The angled flight deck increased the carrier's landing area without limiting space for aircraft parking and allowed for the removal of antiquated crash barriers.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=237}}

During her service life, ''Bonaventure'' carried five [[Squadron (aviation)|squadrons]]. The aircraft carrier's initial air group was composed of sixteen [[McDonnell F2H Banshee]] [[jet fighter]]s and eight [[Grumman CS2F Tracker]] [[anti-submarine warfare]] (ASW) aircraft.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=43}} The Banshee, flown by [[870 Naval Air Squadron|VF 870]] and [[871 Naval Air Squadron|VF 871]], and Tracker, operated by [[880 Naval Air Squadron|VS 880]] and [[881 Naval Air Squadron|VS 881]], were flown from ''Bonaventure'', along with [[Sikorsky HO4S]] ASW [[helicopter]]s operated by [[Helicopter Squadron 50 (RCN)|HS 50]].{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|pp=336–339}}

The Banshees were a tight fit, with ''Bonaventure'' barely able to accommodate them.{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=211}} The Trackers did not become fully operational aboard until 1959.{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=213}} Despite this, ''Bonaventure'' conducted sustained around-the-clock operations, keeping four Trackers and two HO4Ss in the air at all times, while monitoring an area of {{convert|200|nmi2|km2}}. The HO4Ss were equipped with dipping [[sonar]] and, beginning in 1958, [[Mark 43 torpedo]]es.{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=225}} The Banshees were retired in 1962 but were not replaced. The ship's role then changed to one of pure ASW and the air wing was modified, dropping the fighters but keeping the eight Trackers, and increasing the number of HO4Ss to fourteen.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=337}}{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=43}} In 1963, the aircraft carrier began a refit in order to allow her operate the new [[Sikorsky CHSS-2 Sea King]] helicopters, which had been ordered to replace the HO4Ss.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=337}}{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=226}} When ''Bonaventure'' was retired, her former aircraft continued to operate from shore installations, including [[CFB Shearwater]].{{sfn|Boutiller|1982|p=284}}

== 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}}

==Commemoration==
[[File:Halifaxcarrier.jpg|thumb|''Bonaventure''{{'}}s anchor, [[Point Pleasant Park]], Halifax, Nova Scotia]]

''Bonaventure'' had two ships' anchors. One anchor is preserved at [[Point Pleasant Park]] in Halifax as the ''Bonaventure'' Anchor Memorial. The monument was dedicated in 1973 initially to aircrew lost at sea, but later to all naval personnel who died in service. The monument consists of the anchor and chains, along with a small chain running from the monument into the water to make the connection between the monument and the sea. The anchor faces the mouth of the harbour. The names of navy and air force personnel who died during peacetime are etched into plaques beside the anchor.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/southshorebreaker/1560375-the-bonaventure-monument-given-new-life |title=The Bonaventure Monument given new life |last=Hennessey |first=Dan |work=Halifax Chronicle Herald |date=9 April 2018 |access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/bonaventure-anchor-memorial-to-finally-get-repair-upgrades-1.4572297 |title=Halifax's Bonaventure Anchor Memorial finally getting repair upgrades |work=CBC News |last=Palmeter |first=Paul |date=12 March 2018 |access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref> Her starboard anchor, donated by Maritime Command on 6 May 1998, is on display at [[Royal Military College Saint-Jean]]. Her two saluting guns are mounted at {{HMCS|Discovery}} in Vancouver's [[Stanley Park]]. The ship's bell is preserved at the [[Shearwater Aviation Museum]] in [[Dartmouth, Nova Scotia]], which also hosts a large model and exhibit about the carrier.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shearwateraviationmuseum.ns.ca/exhibits/bonnie.htm |title=HMCS Bonaventure Exhibit and HMCS Assiniboine Exhibit |publisher=Shearwater Aviation Museum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410165147/http://www.shearwateraviationmuseum.ns.ca/exhibits/bonnie.htm |archive-date=10 April 2018 |access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist|30em}}

==Citations==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
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* {{cite book |last=Kealy |first=J. D. F. |last2=Russell |first2=E. C. |year=1967 |title=A History of Canadian Naval Aviation 1918–1962 |publisher=Queen's Printer |location=Ottawa |oclc=460555 }}
* {{cite book |last=Macpherson |first=Ken |last2=Barrie |first2=Ron |year=2002 |title=The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910–2002 |edition=Third |publisher=Vanwell Publishing |location=St. Catharines, Ontario |isbn=1-55125-072-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Milner |first=Marc |year=2010 |title=Canada's Navy: The First Century |edition=Second |publisher=University of Toronto Press |location=Toronto |isbn=978-0-8020-9604-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Tracy |first=Nicholas |year=2012 |title=A Two-Edged Sword: The Navy as an Instrument of Canadian Foreign Policy  |publisher=McGill-Queens University Press |location=Montreal, Quebec and Kingston, Ontario |isbn=978-0-7735-4051-4}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070804181132/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Ships/POWERFUL.html HMS ''Powerful'']}}
* [http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/index.page Royal Canadian Air Force website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316163245/http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/index.page |date=16 March 2015 }}

{{Majestic-class aircraft carriers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bonaventure (Cvl 22)}}
[[Category:Aircraft carriers of the Royal Canadian Navy]]
[[Category:Majestic-class aircraft carriers of the Royal Canadian Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built in Belfast]]
[[Category:1945 ships]]
[[Category:World War II aircraft carriers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Cold War aircraft carriers of Canada]]
[[Category:Ships built by Harland and Wolff]]