On arriving in Brest on 3 December, "Dunkerque" was docked for repairs to her bow. The experience off Iceland had highlighted defects with her design, including insufficient freeboard and insufficiently strong construction. These problems could not be easily corrected, however, leaving the "Dunkerque"s vulnerable to storm damage. On 11 December, "Dunkerque" and the cruiser carried a shipment of part of the Banque de France's gold reserve to Canada. The ships arrived on 17 December and covered a convoy of seven troop ships that was also escorted by the battleship on the return voyage. While still at sea on 29 December, the convoy met the local escort forces in the Western Approaches, which took over responsibility of the convoy, allowing "Dunkerque" and "Gloire" to detach for Brest. After arriving there on 4 January 1940, "Dunkerque" underwent another period of maintenance that lasted until 6 February. The ship then conducted sea trials and training maneuvers from 21 February to 23 March.