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HMS Hare (J389)

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HMS Hare (J389)
History
United Kingdom
NameHare
NamesakeHare
Ordered30 April 1942
BuilderHarland & Wolff, Belfast
Laid down27 November 1943
Launched20 June 1944
Commissioned10 November 1944
Decommissioned1959
IdentificationPennant number: J389
FateSold to Nigeria, May 1958
Nigeria
NameNigeria
NamesakeNigeria
AcquiredMay 1958
Commissioned21 July 1959
Decommissioned1962
General characteristics
Class and typeAlgerine-class minesweeper
Displacement
  • 1,030 long tons (1,047 t) (standard)
  • 1,325 long tons (1,346 t) (deep)
Length225 ft (69 m) o/a
Beam35 ft 6 in (10.82 m)
Draught12.25 ft 6 in (3.89 m)
Installed power
Propulsion
  • 2 shafts
  • 2 geared steam turbines
Speed16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph)
Range5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Complement85
Armament

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.

Design and description

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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]

Construction and career

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Service in the Royal Navy

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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]

Service in the Nigerian Navy

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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]

References

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  1. ^ a b Chesneau, p. 65
  2. ^ a b Lenton, p. 261
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "royal naval volunteer reserve". www.cchla.ufpb.br. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  5. ^ Mason, Geoffrey B. (2001). "HMS HARE (J 389) - Algerine-class Fleet Minesweeper". Naval History Net.
  6. ^ "Release of Information" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  7. ^ "HMS HARE". Ships Nostalgia. Retrieved 6 September 2021.

Bibliography

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