HMCS Thunder (hull number MCB 153) was a Bay-class minesweeper constructed for the Royal Canadian Navy, representing a modern replacement for WWII-era minesweepers. Built by Canadian Vickers in Montreal, her keel was laid on 17 May 1951, and she was launched on 17 July 1952. The vessel was commissioned into service on 15 December 1953, bearing the hull identification number 144. Design-wise, Thunder measured 152 feet (46 meters) in length, with a beam of 28 feet (8.5 meters) and a draught of 8 feet (2.4 meters). She displaced approximately 390 long tons (roughly 400 metric tons) at standard load and 412 long tons (about 419 metric tons) at deep load. Her propulsion system featured two General Motors 12-cylinder diesel engines driving two shafts, collectively producing 2,400 brake horsepower, which enabled a maximum speed of 16 knots (about 30 km/h). The ship had an operational range of 3,290 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots (22 km/h). Armament included a single 40 mm Bofors gun, and she was equipped with minesweeping gear suitable for her role. The complement consisted of 38 officers and ratings, tasked with mine clearance operations during her brief service with Canada. Thunder's short Canadian service lasted only three months before she was paid off on 31 March 1954. The same day, she was transferred to France, with her French flag officially raised on 1 April 1954. Renamed La Paimpolaise, she continued minesweeping duties until 1973, when her minesweeping gear was removed and she was repurposed as an overseas territories patrol vessel in the Pacific. She was ultimately paid off on 31 January 1987 and was stricken later that year, marking the end of her maritime service. This vessel's construction and brief service exemplify Cold War-era mine countermeasure efforts and naval cooperation between Canada and France.

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