HMS Hare (J389)
History
United Kingdom
Name	Hare
Namesake	Hare
Ordered	30 April 1942
Builder	Harland & Wolff, Belfast
Laid down	27 November 1943
Launched	20 June 1944
Commissioned	10 November 1944
Decommissioned	1959
Identification	Pennant number: J389
Fate	Sold to Nigeria, May 1958
Nigeria
Name	Nigeria
Namesake	Nigeria
Acquired	May 1958
Commissioned	21 July 1959
Decommissioned	1962
General characteristics
Class and type	Algerine-class minesweeper
Displacement	1,030 long tons (1,047 t) (standard) 1,325 long tons (1,346 t) (deep)
Length	225 ft (69 m) o/a
Beam	35 ft 6 in (10.82 m)
Draught	12.25 ft 6 in (3.89 m)
Installed power	2 × Admiralty 3-drum boilers 2,000 shp (1,500 kW)
Propulsion	2 shafts 2 geared steam turbines
Speed	16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph)
Range	5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Complement	85
Armament	1 × QF 4 in (102 mm) Mk V anti-aircraft gun 4 × Bofors 40 mm

HMS Hare (J389) was a steam turbine-powered Algerine-class minesweeper during the Second World War. She survived the war and was sold to Nigeria in 1958 as HMNS Nigeria.

The turbine group displaced 940–980 long tons (960–1,000 t) at standard load and 1,225–1,265 long tons (1,245–1,285 t) at deep load.^[1] The ships measured 225 feet (68.6 m) long overall with a beam of 35 feet 6 inches (10.8 m). They had a draught of 12 feet 3 inches (3.7 m). The ships' complement consisted of 85 officers and ratings.^[2]

The Algerine class was armed with a QF 4 in (102 mm) Mk V anti-aircraft gun and four single Bofors 40 mm mounts.^[1] All of the ships were fitted for four throwers and two rails for depth charges.^[2]

The ship was ordered on 30 April 1942 at the Harland & Wolff at Belfast, Ireland. She was laid down on 27 November 1943 and launched on 20 June 1944. Hare was commissioned on 10 November 1944.^[3]

On 24 December 1944, HMS Upshot conducted anti-submarine exercises off Tobermory with Hare, Wave, Seabear and Imperialist. Few days later on the 29th, the same exercise took place but without Seabear and Imperialist.^[3]

From 27 to 29 January 1945, Untiring conducted anti-submarine exercises off Campbeltown with Hare and Wave. Uproar joined the exercise on the last day. On 2 February, Unruly conducted anti-submarine exercises off Campbeltown with Hare and again on the 5th including Wave. On the 13th, Uproar conducted anti-submarine exercises off Campbeltown with Hare and Wave.^[3]

Hare was decommissioned on 26 February 1946.^[3]

She was then sold to Nigeria in May 1958 with the transfer ceremony took place in Portsmouth.^[4]

Hare was renamed HMNS Nigeria and was commissioned on 21 July 1959.^[5] To commemorate the occasion and as a gesture from the Royal Navy, HMS Nigeria's 1940 silver bell was presented to HMNS Nigeria for the return of the independent Government and people of the Federation of Nigeria.^[6]

The ship was decommissioned in 1962 and returned to the United Kingdom. She arrived in Faslane on 6 November 1972.^[7]

• Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
• Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
• Elliott, Peter (1977). Allied Escort Ships of World War II: A complete survey. London: Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN 0-356-08401-9.
• Lenton, H. T. (1998). British & Empire Warships of the Second World War. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-048-7.

• HMS Hare (J 389) of the Royal Navy - British Minesweeper of the Algerine class - Allied Warships of WWII at uboat.net