Themes

Conflict and Change

• Introduction

• In Focus: 1900

• In Focus: World War One

• In Focus: Interwar

  • Surface Fleet

  • Submarines

  • Royal Marines

  • Fleet Air Arm

• In Focus: World War Two

• In Focus: Post War Conflict

• In Focus: Cold War Climate

• In Focus: Falklands and Beyond

• Special Exhibition: Falklands 25

Learning

• How To: Understand Propaganda

• Propaganda Image Galleries

• Education Project: Sea With Your Own Eyes

Submarine disasters

Article Highlights

• Introduction

• HMS M1

• HMS M2

• HMS Thetis

HMS M2

After the accidental sinking of HMS M1, the Navy took HMS M2 and M3 out of service and reassigned them for experimental use. HMS M2 was converted to carry aircraft in the 1920s and had a watertight hangar constructed forward of the conning tower. This could carry a small Parnall Peto seaplane specially designed for M2 and launched by hydraulic catapult. The seaplane acted as a scout, with the submarine operating ahead of the battle fleet in a reconnaissance role.

HMS Parnell Peto aircraft being catapulted off the boat (RNSM)

The hangar remained sealed whilst M2 was submerged. Unfortunately the boat flooded with sea water on 26th January 1932, possibly due to a hangar door left open. M2 sank off Portland Bill and all of the crew members were lost.

Related External Links

• Royal Navy Submarine Museum