HMS K2

HMS K2 was the second of the K class submarines and was built at HM Dockyard, Portsmouth, England. She was laid down on 13 November 1915 and was commissioned in May 1917 one year before the end of World War I. In January 1917, K2 was damaged by an explosion and fire during her first diving trials. On 11 January 1924, it collided with HMS K12 as they departed Portland Harbour. K2 smashed a hole in the forward casing of K12 and buckled her bows for about 6 ft.

On 7 November 1924, K2 collided with HMS H29 during exercises. K2 was sold on 13 July 1926 to John Cashmore Ltd for scrapping at Newport.

Design
Like all British K-class submarines, K2 had a displacement of 1800 t when at the surface and 2600 t while submerged. It had a total length of 338 ft, a beam of 26 ft, and a draught of 20 ft. The submarine was powered by two oil-fired Yarrow Shipbuilders boilers and one geared Brown-Curtis or Parsons steam turbine; this developed 10,500 ship horsepower (7,800 kW) to drive two 7 ft screws. It also contained four electric motors each producing 350 to 360 hp. It was also fitted with a diesel engine providing 800 hp to be used when steam was being generated.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 24 kn and a submerged speed of 9 to 9.5 kn. It could operate at depths of 150 ft at 2 kn for 80 nmi. K2 was fitted with a 3 in anti-aircraft gun, ten 18 in torpedo tubes, and two 4 in deck guns. Its torpedo tubes were fitted to the bows, the midship section, and two were mounted on the deck. Its complement was fifty-nine crew members.