Hull classification symbol (Canada)
The Royal Canadian Navy uses hull classification symbols to identify the types of its ships, which are similar to the United States Navy's hull classification symbol system. The Royal Navy and some European and Commonwealth navies use a somewhat analogous system of pennant numbers.
In a ship name such as the ship prefix HMCS for Her or His Majesty's Canadian Ship indicates the vessel is a warship in service to the Monarch of Canada, while the proper name Algonquin may follow a naming convention for the class of vessel. The hull classification symbol in the example is the parenthetical suffix, where the hull classification type DDG indicates that the Algonquin is a guided-missile destroyer and the hull classification number 283 is unique within that type. Listed below are various hull classification types with some currently in use and others that are retired and no longer in use.
Auxiliary ships
AGOR: Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research, AGSC: surveying vessel Example included: AOR: Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment, ARE: Auxiliary Replenishment Escort. Examples ASL: diving support vessel Included: F: escort armed ships FHE: Fast Hydrofoil Escort, K: sloop and submarine tender. Example included: KC: sail training. Example includes: PCT: Patrol Craft Training Examples include: sT: armed trawler. Example included:, YAG: Yard Auxiliary General YAG training vessels CFAV Grizzly, CFAV Cougar YTB: Yard Tug. Examples include: YTL: Yard Tug. Examples include: s Lawrenceville, CFAV Parksville YTM: Yard Tug. Example includes: YTR: Yard Tractor tug fireboats. Examples include: sAircraft carriers
CVL: light carrier Examples included:,, and D: World War II escort carrier Examples included and s: R: carrier World War IICorvettes
K: corvette. Examples included: sCruisers
C: light cruiser Examples includedDestroyers
D: destroyer - World War II era eg DD: destroyer - World War II era DDE: escort destroyer DDH: air defence destroyer - helicopter, eg DDG: area air defence - guided missileG: destroyer - World War II era H: escort destroyer - World War II era I: destroyer - World War II era < Examples included:,, R: destroyer World War II destroyer examples included: - V class and -Frigates
F: frigateFFE: escort frigate FFH: multi-role patrol frigate - helicopter egMinesweepers
J: minesweeper MCB: post World War II minesweeper used for MSA: Mine Sweeper Auxiliary: MM: Mechanical Minesweeper - more recently known as coastal defence vessels such asSubmarines
- CC: World War I era gas powered submarines
- CH: World War I era diesel-electric submarinesS: Submarine SS: Submarine and SSK: Hunter-Killer Submarine or long range submarines. Eg Victoria-class submarines