HMS Hare (J389)

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
The turbine group displaced 940 - 980 LT at standard load and 1225 - 1265 LT at deep load. The ships measured 225 ft long overall with a beam of 35 ft. They had a draught of 12 ft. The ships' complement consisted of 85 officers and ratings.

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

Service in the Royal Navy
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.

On 24 December 1944, HMS Upshot (P82) conducted anti-submarine exercises off Tobermory with Hare, HMS Wave (J385), HMS Seabear (J333) and HMS Imperialist (FY126). Few days later on the 29th, the same exercise took place but without Seabear and Imperialist.

From 27 to 29 January 1945, HMS Untiring conducted anti-submarine exercises off Campbeltown with Hare and Wave. HMS Uproar joined the exercise on the last day. On 2 February, HMS 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.

Hare was decommissioned on 26 February 1946.

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

Service in the Nigerian Navy
Hare was renamed HMNS Nigeria and was commissioned on 21 July 1959. To commemorate the occasion and as a gesture from the Royal Navy, HMS Nigeria (60)'s 1940 silver bell was presented to HMNS Nigeria for the return of the independent Government and people of the Federation of Nigeria.

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