HMCS Provider was a Fairmile depot ship constructed for the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II, launched in December 1942 at the Marine Industries shipyard in Sorel, Quebec. Measuring 81.7 meters (268 feet 1 inch) in overall length and 78.0 meters (255 feet 11 inches) between perpendiculars, the vessel had a beam of 13.4 meters (44 feet) and a draught of 5.4 meters (17 feet 8 inches). It displaced approximately 4,670 long tons (4,740 tonnes) and had a gross register tonnage of 2,367. Its deadweight tonnage was 3,455 tons. Powered by diesel engines driving two screws, Provider was designed for a speed of 10 knots but had a maximum speed of 9 knots, with an impressive range of 37,000 nautical miles at 8 knots, making it well-suited for extended operations. The vessel was armed with either a single 4-inch (102 mm) naval gun accompanied by two 20 mm cannons or a 12-pounder (76 mm) naval gun. It was equipped to serve as a depot ship for Fairmile motor launch flotillas, featuring a machine shop, additional accommodations, and extra fuel and storage spaces. The ship’s crew consisted of 107 personnel, including 20 officers and 87 ratings. Constructed in 1941–1942, Provider was commissioned on December 1, 1942, as the second of its class after sister ship Preserver. Its initial deployment took it to Halifax, Nova Scotia, then to the Caribbean Sea to support patrol flotillas based in Trinidad, Cuba, and Key West. After suffering storm damage en route, Provider arrived in Trinidad in February 1943 and served as a base ship for Fairmile flotillas in the Caribbean. Later, it was assigned to Gaspé Force in Quebec, operating in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Sept-Îles, before returning to Halifax. In 1944, Provider served as a base ship for flotillas at Bermuda and remained there until May 1945, after which it returned to Halifax to serve as a base supply ship. It was paid off in March 1946. Subsequently, the vessel was sold into commercial service, converted into a tanker, and renamed Maruba in 1947. Over the years, it was sold and renamed Olaya and Orgenos, serving with the Peruvian Navy from 1960 until being sold for scrap in 1961. The ship was dismantled in Peru, with its registry remaining until 1992.

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