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.
 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 |
|
| 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 |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| 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 | |
Design and description
editThe 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]
Construction and career
editService in the Royal Navy
editThe 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]
Service in the Nigerian Navy
editHare 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]
References
edit- ^ a b Chesneau, p. 65
- ^ a b Lenton, p. 261
- ^ a b c d "HMS Hare (J 389) of the Royal Navy - British Minesweeper of the Algerine class - Allied Warships of WWII". uboat.net. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
- ^ "royal naval volunteer reserve". www.cchla.ufpb.br. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
- ^ Mason, Geoffrey B. (2001). "HMS HARE (J 389) - Algerine-class Fleet Minesweeper". Naval History Net.
- ^ "Release of Information" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ "HMS HARE". Ships Nostalgia. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
Bibliography
edit- 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.