HMS M2

[Gunner87]

I thought I'd share this real picture postcard I have of the unusual HMS M2, built by Vickers, and laid down in 1916. The M2, completed in 1919, was one of three M Class submarines. 

In this photograph the M2 can be seen in its early days with a 12" gun on deck, as opposed to after conversion, where it was fitted to carry a seaplane.

Tragically, on the 26th January 1932, while on exercise off the Dorset coast, the M2 was lost with all hands. This accident has been put down to either a hangar door being left open or the stern hydroplanes failing, causing her to sink backwards as witnessed by a passing ship, the Tynesider. Efforts to raise her were abandoned.

The reverse is signed but efforts to confirm by who have so far not yielded any results. 

Sadly, and evidence of suffering by the crew after the sub sank, is a piece of wood washed ashore with "HELP M2 gone down No2 hatch open" in pencil and on the other side "Help Lieut."