Bay-class minesweeper
HMCS Miramichi (MCB 163) underway
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Bay class |
| Operators: | |
| Preceded by: | Algerine class |
| Succeeded by: | Anticosti class |
| In commission: | 1 December 1953 – 1998 |
| Completed: | 20 |
| Retired: | 20 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Minesweeper |
| Displacement: |
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| Length: | |
| Beam: | 28 ft (8.5 m) |
| Draught: | 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) max |
| Propulsion: | 2 shafts, 2 GM 12-cylinder diesels, 2,400 bhp (1,800 kW) |
| Speed: | 16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph) |
| Complement: | 38 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
Mechanical minesweeping equipment (later removed) |
| Armament: | 1 × 40 mm Bofors single mount (later removed) |
| Notes: | Initial plan was for 14 vessels. 6 RCN vessels sold to allies while under construction, replaced by 6 new builds carrying the same name but new pennants. |
The Bay-class minesweepers, also known as the Gaspé-class minesweepers, were a class of minesweepers operated by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Canadian Forces (CF) during the Cold War. Their design was similar to the British Ton-class minesweepers.
The class derives its name from bays in Canada and was designed by the RCN as a replacement for Second World War-era minesweepers. Fourteen were laid down in 1951–1952, however six were subsequently transferred to the French Navy in 1954. These ships were replaced by six of the same name in 1956–1957 but were assigned new pennant numbers.
They were reclassed in Canadian Forces service as patrol escorts in 1972 and six vessels remained in service until the late 1990s, providing coastal surveillance and shiphandling experience for junior officers with Maritime Forces Pacific. The removal of the aft mounted minesweeping equipment in the 1970s allowed for the erection of additional sleeping spaces and a wash space for aspiring officers, unofficially known on all ships as "Dunk's Diner".
The class was designed with mahogany wood planking overlaying an aluminum frame and decks. Vessels of the Bay class had a standard displacement of 390 tonnes (380 long tons) and 412 tonnes (405 long tons) at deep load. They were 152 feet (46 m) long overall and 140 feet (43 m) between perpendiculars, with a beam of 28 feet (8.5 m) and a draught of 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m) max. They had a complement of 40.
The minesweepers were powered by two GM 12-cylinder diesel engines turning two shafts, creating 2,400 brake horsepower (1,800 kW). This gave the Bay class a maximum speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). They carried 52 tons of oil. The ships were armed with one 40 mm/60 caliber Mk 7 gun.
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