The engines produced a total of 2,400 indicated horsepower (1,800 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph).

They carried a maximum of 660 long tons (671 t) of fuel oil that gave them a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).

[1] Providence was ordered as HMCS Forrest Hill in 1942, and laid down at the Toronto yards of Redfern Construction Ltd on 17 July 1943.

On 1 November 1946, she escorted the listing merchant vessel SS San Dimitrio, full of Jewish refugees, into Haifa.

[6] On 10 December, Providence participated in the rescue of more refugees from the shipwrecked SS Athina, which had grounded in Syrna.