HMS Jewel (J390) was a steam turbine-powered Algerine-class minesweeper built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Displacing approximately 850 long tons (860 tonnes) at standard load and up to 1,125 long tons (1,143 tonnes) at deep load, the vessel measured 225 feet (68.6 meters) in length overall with a beam of 35 feet 6 inches (10.8 meters). Her draught was 11 feet (3.4 meters). The ship's complement consisted of 85 officers and ratings. Powered by two Parsons geared steam turbines, each driving a single shaft, and fueled by two Admiralty three-drum boilers, HMS Jewel produced a total of 2,000 indicated horsepower (1,500 kW), enabling her to reach a maximum speed of 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph). She carried a fuel oil capacity of 660 long tons (671 tonnes), providing a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 miles) at a cruising speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). Armament on the Algerine-class ships included a QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mk V anti-aircraft gun and four twin-gun mounts for Oerlikon 20 mm cannons. Due to wartime shortages, some ships, including HMS Jewel, often had a mix of twin and single mounts, with later modifications replacing twin 20 mm mounts with single Bofors 40 mm guns. The ship was also equipped with four throwers and two rails for depth charges, reflecting her role in minesweeping and anti-submarine warfare. Ordered on 30 April 1942 and built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast, HMS Jewel was laid down on 27 November 1943, launched on 20 July 1944, and commissioned on 9 December 1944. During her wartime service, she participated in operations such as Operation Shred at Scapa Flow and Operation Groundsheet in Norwegian waters. By October 1945, she was stationed in Singapore with the 10th Flotilla. After the war, HMS Jewel was decommissioned in 1946 and placed in reserve at Harwich. She was later transferred to Dundee as a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve drill ship in 1948. From 1955 to 1961, she served with the Dartmouth Training Squadron, providing cadet training and was the starting vessel for the first modern Tall Ship Race in 1956. The vessel was eventually sold for scrap in 1967 at Inverkeithing, Scotland, marking the end of her maritime service.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.