Maritime record MWX1597 - M2
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Summary
Map
Type and Period (2)
Full Description
Builder: Vickers Date Built: 1918 Captain: Lieut. Cdr Leathers Crew: 58 Crew lost: 58 Passengers: 2 (RAF personnel) Passengers lost: 2 (RAF personnel) Propulsion: Screw x 2, oil engines Armament: 12 gun (removed 1927) Gun weight: 60 tons Seaplane: Parnall Peto (installed 1927) Aircraft: Length: 6.86m Wingspan: 8.66m Weight: 596Kg Speed (Max) 182Km Range (Max): 400Km Engine: 1 x piston radial engine, Armstrong Siddeley Mongoose Crew: 2 The M2 sailed from Portland for a routine exercise at 9am and headed for a position 15m west of Portland Bill, where she was to link up with other submarines. Her CO signalled HMS TITANIA that he intended to dive at 10.30am and this was to be the last communication with the submarine. Concern was shown at 16.15 when she failed to arrive back at Portland and search vessels were sent out. Since she carried apparatus for escape, there was hope that some of her crew might have survived but none were found. Time was lost by divers working on what proved to be an old wreck. News was received that Capt. Howard of the Newcastle coaster TYNESIDER had sighted what was thought to be the M2 between 11.15 and 11.30am on the day she disappeared. (2)
A week passed before her position was located by HMS TORRID and confirmed by divers from HMS ALBURY. She lay in 90 - 105 ft, with her stern in the sand and bow raised above the seabed. Salvage operations commenced in Feb 1932 and revealed the hangar door and hatch inside leading to the interior open. On the 18th March a diver recovered the body of Leading Seaman Albert Jacobs, one of the aircraft launch party. On July 1st the body of Leading Aircraftman Leslie Gregory was discovered in complete flying outfit which supports the theory that she was about to launch an aircraft when she sank. Salvage attempts were finally aborted in December of that year beaten by a combination of the weight of the vessel and the weather.(3)(7)
Peto. The purpose of the aircraft was to extend the submarines range of surveillance well beyond the range that could be watched from the bridge. 26-MAY-1952 Wire drift sweep; clear at 61, foul at 62 feet. Least echosounder depth 65 in general depth 17 fathoms. Length 200 to 300 feet. Lies N/S - shallowest part at south end. 07-APR-1982 Reported as intact except propellers missing. 28-APR-1982 Reported beginning to break up with outer hull rotting away. Both props have been removed, also spar from on deck. Illegal salvage of non-ferrous metal has occurred. 25-JUL-1984 National grid co-ordinates - 35 99 83E, 75 37 7E. Swept clear at 18.0, foul at 18.3m. Least echosounder depth 20.6 in general depth 31m. Scour 1-2m deep. Side scan sonar height 11m, length 100m. Lying 000/180 degrees. (1)
She lies upright with her hangar doors open A large steel pin with chain attached to one end recovered from this wreck off Dorset, Weymouth Museum. (Droit A/4379) (11)
Gross tonnage
Position 50 34.57N 2 33.99 W taken from 15
Wreck Event and Documentary Evidence:
Commissioned as K19. (8)(9)
M1-4 were built to replace a cancelled order for four K-class boats and were accordingly constructed on the keels for K18-21, which had already been laid down. (16)
The vessel was converted to a seaplane carrier but the experiment was unsuccessful and she was lost in 1932 due to the flooding of the aircraft hangar. In 1920-1 she had been a reserve at the Portsmouth Submarine School, serving in the Atlantic Fleet 1921-4; 1924-7, a reserve and training vessel; and from 1928 to 1932 she served in the Experimental Half Flotilla as part of the 5th Submarine Flotilla, based at Portsmouth. (8)
Her 12" gun, formerly from a battleship, was removed in 1928, and replaced by a Parnall seaplane called the Parnall Peto. The purpose of the aircraft was to extend the submarine's range of surveillance well beyond the range that could be watched from the bridge. (8)
Two profiles of the vessel as reconstructed, 1928, on pp 182 and 224. (8)
Account of the loss:
A complete and thorough account of her loss is given in this source. (13)
The M2 sailed from Portland for a routine exercise at 9am and headed for a position 15 miles west of Portland Bill, where she was to link up with other submarines. Her CO signalled HMS TITANIA that he intended to dive at 10.30am, and this was to be the last communication with the submarine. Concern was shown at 16.15 when she failed to arrive back at Portland and search vessels were sent out. Since she carried apparatus for escape, there was hope that some of her crew might have survived but none were found.
Time was lost by divers working on what proved to be an old wreck. News was received that Capt Howard of the Newcastle coaster TYNESIDER had sighted what was thought to be the M2 between 11.15 and 11.30am on the day she disappeared. (2)
Outline largely as above in (16), but also describes the size of the search party: four destroyers, minesweepers, submarines and seaplanes, but no trace of the crew of 62 was found. On 3rd February the vessel was located nearly six miles SE of Portland Bill, lying with a small list to starboard; the hangar door was open, showing the seaplane inside. It was thought that an attempt to speed up the launching procedures had resulted in the pressure hull hatch to the hangar to be opened at the same time as the watertight hangar door, while the boat was still partly submerged.
The captain of the TYNESIDER reported seeing a submarine dive stern first off Portland at about 11.30 on 26 January. He was reassured to see what he thought was the same boat resurface, but it now appears that this might have been L69 or L71 instead. (16)
The CROWN OF DENMARK had seen and heard mysterious lights and explosions at sea at around 1840 the same day in a position close to that of the TYNESIDER, but nothing else was visible on the surface. (17)
Wreck Site and Archaeological Remains:
Horizontal Datum: OGB
Vertical Datum: LAT
Quality of Depth: SWS
Method of Fix: SYL (1)
A week passed before her position was located by HMS TORRID and confirmed by divers from HMS ALBURY. She lay in 90 - 105 ft, with her stern in the sand and bow raised above the seabed. Salvage operations commenced in Feb 1932 and revealed the hangar door and hatch inside leading to the interior open. On the 18th March a diver recovered the body of Leading Seaman Albert Jacobs, one of the aircraft launch party. On July 1st the body of Leading Aircraftman Leslie Gregory was discovered in complete flying outfit, which supports the theory that she was about to launch an aircraft when she sank.
Salvage attempts were finally aborted in December of that year, beaten by a combination of the weight of the vessel and the weather. (3)(7)(12)
26-JAN-1932: Sunk off Portland. (9)
27-JAN 1932: Telegrams were sent to crew members' relatives reading "Regret to inform you that your husband (or son) is missing and feared drowned in submarine M2, believed sunk off Portland on Tuesday". At 10.30pm the Admiralty issued another statement, that two objects had been located by sweep wires, but owing to strong tides divers had been unable to reach the bottom to investigate. (15)
28-JAN-1932: Captain A E Howard of the Newcastle-on-Tyne steamer TYNESIDER reported that he had seen her sink stern first eight miles NW by N from Portland Bill, two and half miles from shore. (15)
01-FEB-1932: It was stated that it was possible the M2 sank while practising launching her plane. (15)
02-FEB-1932: A fisherman reported he had found a man's body in West Bay but had been unable to recover it. A cap belonging to the coxswain had been found floating and a collar brought to the surface from a wire sweep. (15)
03-FEB-1932: The Admiralty stated that it had found the M2. She was found by HMS TORRID using Asdic; divers went down from HMS ALBURY and confirmed that she was in 18 fathoms. Her stern was in the sand with the bow slightly raised but with no damage to to the vessel. (15)
05-FEB-1932: A memorial service was held over the sunken submarine. It was also disclosed that the hangar doors and conning tower hatch were open. (15)
07-FEB-1932: Ernest Cox was put in charge of the salvage operations. (15)
08-FEB-1932: Teams of divers went down and fixed hawsers to the seaplane, which was still inside her hangar and raised her; she was landed at Portland. The weather then broke and salvage operations were suspended. (15)
04-MAR-1932: HMS TEDWORTH returned to the site, but due to heavy weather salvage operations were suspended. (15)
11-MAR-1932: Salvage operations were reported as nearly complete with preparations for lifting well advanced. (15)
14-MAR-1932: A body was found in the aeroplane hangar but left in situ due to the fact that the submarine was about to be raised shortly. (15)
15-MAR-1932: Another hatch was found open. (15)
18-MAR-1932: A body was recovered and identified as Leading Seaman Albert Ernest Jacobs, Manor Road, Southsea. (15)
03-APR-1932: Ernest Cox reported that the submarine was on an even keel. Divers had found the hatch inside the hangar open. The hangar hatch had been sealed with concrete and the conning tower had been closed by a steel hatch. It soon became apparent that the engine room hatch behind the conning tower was open. When work started on that the after hatch in the crew's quarters was also found to be open. Each hatch was closed by a steel jack and then had concrete poured over it to prevent it opening when air was forced in. Other divers cut holes in the pressure hull and engine room to allow water out under pressure. (15)
26-JUNE-1932: Salvage operations had so far cost £10,000 and only 7 of the 18 ballast tanks were suitable for air inflation. (15)
01-JULY-1932: Another body was discovered, that of Leading Aircraftman Leslie Gregory, Haslar Road, Gosport. (15)
NOV-1932: Bad weather had so far defeated the lifting operation which had now cost £15,000. (15)
06-DEC-1932: In deteriorating weather the last attempt to raise her was made. At 11am the compressors were started, then at 3.20pm two pontoons broke to the surface with the stern of the submarine. She was now hanging perpendicular with her bow on the seabed: in worsening sea conditions they set the stern down again and the salvage operation was abandoned by the Admiralty. (15)
Attempts were made over three years to salvage the vessel. (8)
26-MAY-1952: Wire drift sweep; clear at 61, foul at 62 feet. Least echosounder depth 65 in general depth 17 fathoms. Length 200 to 300 feet. Lies N/S - shallowest part at south end. (1)
07-APR-1982: Reported as intact except propellers missing. (1)
28-APR-1982: Reported beginning to break up with outer hull rotting away. Both propellers have been removed, also spar from on deck. Illegal salvage of non-ferrous metal has occurred. (1)
25-JUL-1984: National Grid coordinates - 35 99 83E, 75 37 7E. Swept clear at 18.0, foul at 18.3m. Least echosounder depth 20.6 in general depth 31m. Scour 1-2m deep. Side scan sonar height 11m, length 100m. Lying 000/180 degrees. (1)
She lies upright with her hangar doors open. (1)
She lies in 30m a little sunk into the seabed: both her anchors are at her bow, her hangar door is open and crane is easy to see. The port propeller is in position, but the starboard one is missing. The conning tower outer hatch is open but second one is sealed. (15)
24-FEB-2009: Located in 50 34.610N 002 33.985W (WGS) using DGPS. Least multibeam depth 22.55m in general depth 31.35m. No scour. Length 90.8m, width 7.7m, height 8.8m. Lies 000/180, bows north. Strong magnetic anomaly. Intact, upright. (21)
On 1st May 2008 the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (Designation of Vessels and Controlled Sites) Order 2008 (Statutory Instrument No. 950) cited the vessel known as HMS M2, which sank on or about 26th January 1932, as a designated vessel. (18)
ADU Report, 1995:
Summary: The ADU assessed the wreck of the submarine M2 after reports that divers had attempted to enter the wreck. The wreck is a unique example of a submarine which carried a float plane. No signs of entry into this military grave were seen but anchoring and deployment of shotlines by visiting divers appears to be contributing to the deterioration of the structure. There was also evidence that at least one fitting had been recently removed.
The site requires positive management if it is to survive as an intact tomb.
ADU Operations: dived 06-JUL-1995
Archaeological Remains: The wreck is substantially intact, over 90m in length, and sitting upright on a sandy seabed. The conning tower hatch is sealed with concrete. The plane's hangar, with parts of the recovery crane above it, is situated forward of the conning tower. The hangar door is lying in its open position and sediment which has accumulated on the inside has banked up almost to the deckhead at the back, obscuring the inner door to the pressure hull.
Throughout the vessel there is extensive rusting and fragmentation of the outer casing and in one place a mark about 15cm diameter is visible where some kind of fitting has been removed. A large number of abandoned shot lines were attached to the wreck, often around and through gaps in the outer casing.
Site environment:
The wreck is on what appears to be a flat sandy plain swept by strong tides. The lack of fine sediment accumulating outside of the vessel indicates a fairly dynamic environment, and this is also suggested by the nature of the extensive marine life which has colonised the hull.
Threats to the site:
The activities of divers appear to be the principal threat to the site. There was evidence of irresponsible behaviour by some divers but the greater problem is damage caused by anchoring and the setting of shot lines to guide divers to the wreck. Their impact is exacerbating the inevitable corrosion and deterioration of the steel hull structure.
Conclusions:
This very attractive recreational dive falls under the jurisdiction of the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 and while diving is not prohibited, it is an offence to enter or damage the hull structure. It is thought that many divers do not appreciate that it is also illegal to damage the site with an anchor.
The Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 would not be an appropriate management tool for this popular dive site as it would be too restrictive of lawful pleasure diving. It is unfortunate that damage to this unique wreck will continue unless provision can be made for mooring dive boats and regulating the number of divers.
A copy of the underwater video made by the ADU has been sent to the Curator of the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport.
ADU September 1995. (19)
Seen to be located approximately two miles SW of that part of Chesil Beach opposite East Fleet. (20)
Theories as to the loss:
The first theory was that submarine was surfacing to launch the aircraft and the order was given to open the hangar door as soon as the conning tower was clear of water, but not before the hangar door was clear, allowing water into the hangar and pressure hull. This was doubted by many at the time since the submarine was seen by the TYNESIDER to sink stern first, confirmed by damage to her stern and grooves on the seabed, and it was thought had events unfolded as described above she would have sunk bows first.
The second theory was that the vent valves to the aft tanks had been accidentally left open allowing them to fill again once the vessel had surfaced, and they were blown too late to recover the situation, as water rushed into the hangar.
The third theory, put forward by former officers who had served on board M2, suggested a motor or hydroplane failure, causing the vessel to lose power and allowing water into the hangar. (10)(17)
Finds:
A large steel pin with chain attached to one end recovered from this wreck off Dorset, Weymouth Museum. (Droit A/4379). (11)
Laid down: 1916 (8)(15)
Built: 1918 (2)(9)(19)
Launched: 1919 (8)
Completed: 1920 (8)(15)(16)
Builder: Vickers (2)(8)(16)
Where Built: Barrow-in-Furness (2)(8)(15)
Converted: 1928 (8)(9)
Where converted: Chatham (9)
Commanding Officer: Lieut Cdr Leathes (2)(8); Lt Cdr John D de M Leathes (16)(17)
Crew: normal complement 55 (8); 58 (2); 60 (8)(17)(19) including the two RAF personnel; 62, usual complement 65 (16)
Crew lost: 58 (2); 60 (8)(17) including the two RAF personnel; 62 (16)
Passengers: 2 (RAF personnel) (2)
Passengers lost: 2 (RAF personnel) (2)
Construction: double hull (16)
Propulsion: 2 screw-driven oil engines (2); 2 screw-driven Vickers Admiralty diesel engines with electric motors (8)
Armament: 12" gun (removed 1927); removed 1925 (19) Parnall Peto seaplane (installed 1928) (2)(8)(9)(15); 4 x 18in TT, (10 torpedoes carried in bow); 1 x 3in/40 QF HA Mk II gun with 72 shells; 2 x .303in Lewis machine guns (8); 4 x 18in TT, 1 x 12in gun (16)
Owner: Royal Navy [all sources]
Aircraft: Length: 6.86m; wingspan: 8.66m; weight: 596kg; speed (max) 182km; range (max): 400km
Engine: 1 x Armstrong Siddeley Mongoose piston radial engine
Date of Loss Qualifier: Actual date of loss
<1> United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, 1992, Hydrographic Office wreck index (Index). SWX4837.
<2> Larn, R, and Larn, B, 1995, Shipwreck index of the British Isles, volume 1 : Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset Section 6, Dorset (AJ) Vol 1 (Monograph). SWX4541.
<3> Hinchcliffe, J and V, 1990, Dive Dorset: a diver guide (2nd Edition), No 77 p 75-76 (Monograph). SWX5640.
<4> Shipwreck Guide to Dorset and Lyme Bay, p65 Picture. (Monograph). SWX4810.
<5> 1976, Dorset magazine : the county magazine vol. 50, p24 (Article in serial). SWX4560.
<6> Hinchcliffe, J and V, 1999, Dive Dorset: a diver guide (3rd Edition), Wreck 102, p93, Picture, (Monograph). SWX1.
<7> Smith, G, 1995, Hampshire and Dorset Shipwrecks, p86 (Monograph). SWX4601.
<8> Akermann, Paul, 1989, Encyclopaedia of British submarines 1901-1955, 41-42,73,182,208-211,222-224,480 (Monograph). SWX4814.
<9> Colledge, J J, 1969, Ships of the Royal Navy. Volume 1: major ships, 337 (Monograph). SWX4826.
<10> Evans, A S, 1986, Beneath the waves: a history of HM submarine losses [1904-1971], p155-158,163,179-184 (Monograph). SWX4816.
<11> 2001, Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Receiver of Wreck Amnesty, 23-Jan to 24-Apr-2001 (Index). SWX4542.
<12> Hinchcliffe, J and V, 1984, Dive Dorset: a diver guide (1st Edition), no 77, p75-76 (Monograph). SWX1714.
<13> Diver [incorporating Underwater World], Vol 23 Ma7 1978 No 5, p200-202 (Article in serial). SWX4597.
<14> Diver [incorporating Underwater World], Vol 44 July 1999 No 7 p42-44 (Article in serial). SWX4597.
<15> McDonald, K, 1986, Great British Wrecks, 59-83 (Monograph). SWX8060.
<16> Ships Monthly, Vol 41 December 2006, No 12 p52-6; photograph on p52 (Serial). SDO20678.
<17> Kemp, Paul, 1999, The Admiralty Regrets: British Warship Losses of the 20th Century, 93-94 (Monograph). SWX9368.
<18> Site designation, 2008 (Scheduling record). SDO20566.
The Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (Designation of Vessels and Controlled Sites) Order 2008 [SI 2008 no. 950]
<19> Archaeological Diving Unit, HM Submarine M2, Lyme Bay, Dorset, England (Unpublished document). SDO20679.
<20> SeaZone Hydrospatial, Digital marine geographic information derived from SeaZone Hydrospatial, 22-Nov-10 (Digital archive). SDO20540.
<21> United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, Wreck report (Monograph). SDO20514.
<22> Treadwell, T C, 1999, Strike from beneath the sea - a history of aircraft carrying submarines. (Monograph). SWX8013.
<23> Le Pard, G, 1995-2003, Dorset Coast Forum Maritime Archaeological Database, Shipwreck 270 (Digital archive). SWX8707.
<24> McCartney, I, 2003, Lost Patrols, Submarine Wrecks of the English Channel. (Monograph). SWX8097.
<25> National Record of the Historic Environment, 904645 (Digital archive). SDO14739.
Sources/Archives (25)
- <1> SWX4837 Index: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office. 1992. Hydrographic Office wreck index.
- <2> SWX4541 Monograph: Larn, R, and Larn, B. 1995. Shipwreck index of the British Isles, volume 1 : Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset Section 6, Dorset (AJ) Vol 1.
- <3> SWX5640 Monograph: Hinchcliffe, J and V. 1990. Dive Dorset: a diver guide (2nd Edition). No 77 p 75-76.
- <4> SWX4810 Monograph: Shipwreck Guide to Dorset and Lyme Bay. p65 Picture..
- <5> SWX4560 Article in serial: 1976. Dorset magazine : the county magazine vol. 50. Vol 50. p24.
- <6> SWX1 Monograph: Hinchcliffe, J and V. 1999. Dive Dorset: a diver guide (3rd Edition). 3rd Edition. Wreck 102, p93, Picture,.
- <7> SWX4601 Monograph: Smith, G. 1995. Hampshire and Dorset Shipwrecks. p86.
- <8> SWX4814 Monograph: Akermann, Paul. 1989. Encyclopaedia of British submarines 1901-1955. 41-42,73,182,208-211,222-224,480.
- <9> SWX4826 Monograph: Colledge, J J. 1969. Ships of the Royal Navy. Volume 1: major ships. 337.
- <10> SWX4816 Monograph: Evans, A S. 1986. Beneath the waves: a history of HM submarine losses [1904-1971]. p155-158,163,179-184.
- <11> SWX4542 Index: 2001. Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Receiver of Wreck Amnesty. 23-Jan to 24-Apr-2001.
- <12> SWX1714 Monograph: Hinchcliffe, J and V. 1984. Dive Dorset: a diver guide (1st Edition). no 77, p75-76.
- <13> SWX4597 Article in serial: Diver [incorporating Underwater World]. Vol 41.5. Vol 23 Ma7 1978 No 5, p200-202.
- <14> SWX4597 Article in serial: Diver [incorporating Underwater World]. Vol 41.5. Vol 44 July 1999 No 7 p42-44.
- <15> SWX8060 Monograph: McDonald, K. 1986. Great British Wrecks. 59-83.
- <16> SDO20678 Serial: Ships Monthly. Vol 41 December 2006, No 12 p52-6; photograph on p52.
- <17> SWX9368 Monograph: Kemp, Paul. 1999. The Admiralty Regrets: British Warship Losses of the 20th Century. 93-94.
- <18> SDO20566 Scheduling record: Site designation. 2008.
- <19> SDO20679 Unpublished document: Archaeological Diving Unit. HM Submarine M2, Lyme Bay, Dorset, England.
- <20> SDO20540 Digital archive: SeaZone Hydrospatial. Digital marine geographic information derived from SeaZone Hydrospatial. 22-Nov-10.
- <21> SDO20514 Monograph: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office. Wreck report.
- <22> SWX8013 Monograph: Treadwell, T C. 1999. Strike from beneath the sea - a history of aircraft carrying submarines. .
- <23> SWX8707 Digital archive: Le Pard, G. 1995-2003. Dorset Coast Forum Maritime Archaeological Database. Shipwreck 270.
- <24> SWX8097 Monograph: McCartney, I. 2003. Lost Patrols, Submarine Wrecks of the English Channel. .
- <25> SDO14739 Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 904645.
Finds (1)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Location
Grid reference | SY 59978 75371 (point) |
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Map sheet | SY57NE |
Protected Status/Designation
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 9 000 0370
- Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: SY 57 NE 1
- Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 904645
Record last edited
Apr 11 2024 1:45PM