The Bay-class ships were designed and ordered as replacement for the Second World War-era minesweepers that the Royal Canadian Navy operated at the time.

[a][2] The Bay-class minesweepers were powered by two GM 12-cylinder diesel engines driving two shafts creating 2,400 brake horsepower (1,800 kW).

[4][2] The vessel was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy on 18 June 1954 with the hull identification number 144.

[5] The ship was transferred to Nouméa on 29 June 1976, where La Dieppoise remained for the rest of her career.

[7] The last wooden minesweeper in French service, the ship was selected for use as an artificial reef and recreational diving site with Nouméa's lagoon.