HMS Hare (J389) was a steam turbine-powered during the Second World War. She survived the war and was sold to Nigeria in 1958 as HMNS Nigeria.
See main article: Algerine-class minesweeper. The turbine group displaced 940LT980LT at standard load and 1225LT1265LT at deep load. The ships measured 225feet long overall with a beam of 35feet. They had a draught of 12feet. The ships' complement consisted of 85 officers and ratings.[1]
The Algerine class was armed with a QF 4abbr=onNaNabbr=on Mk V anti-aircraft gun and four single Bofors 40 mm mounts.[2] All of the ships were fitted for four throwers and two rails for depth charges.[1]
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, conducted anti-submarine exercises off Tobermory with Hare,, and . Few days later on the 29th, the same exercise took place but without Seabear and Imperialist.
From 27 to 29 January 1945, conducted anti-submarine exercises off Campbeltown with Hare and Wave. joined the exercise on the last day. On 2 February, 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.
Hare was decommissioned on 26 February 1946.
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, '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]
. Henry Trevor Lenton. British & Empire Warships of the Second World War. Naval Institute Press. Annapolis, Maryland. 1998. 1-55750-048-7.