HMS G2 was a British G‑class submarine of the Royal Navy that served during the First World War.
Design and description
The G‑class submarines were designed in response to the perceived threat of German U‑boats operating in the North Sea. They were larger than preceding British submarines, displacing approximately 670 tons surfaced and 830 tons submerged. HMS G2 had an overall length of about 187 ft (57 m), a beam of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a draught of 12 ft (3.7 m). Propulsion was provided by two diesel engines for surface running, delivering a total of roughly 1,600 bhp, and two electric motors of about 1,200 shp for submerged operation. The submarine could achieve speeds of 14–15 knots on the surface and 9 knots submerged, with a surface range of around 2,500 nmi at 10 knots.
Armament consisted of four 18‑inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes—two mounted in the bow and two external tubes mounted on the beam—carrying a total of eight torpedoes. A single 12‑pounder (3‑inch/76 mm) deck gun was installed for surface engagements.
The crew complement was typically 30 officers and ratings.
Construction and career
HMS G2 was ordered under the 1913‑1914 Naval Programme and laid down by Vickers Limited at Barrow‑in‑Furness. She was launched in 1915 and entered service with the Royal Navy in early 1916. After commissioning, G2 was assigned to the 8th Submarine Flotilla, based at Harwich, where she conducted patrols and reconnaissance missions in the North Sea, primarily tasked with counter‑U‑boat operations and safeguarding Allied shipping lanes.
During the war, G2 operated in conjunction with other submarines of her class, taking part in routine patrols and occasional offensive actions against enemy vessels. Detailed records of specific engagements involving HMS G2 are limited.
Disposal
Following the end of hostilities, HMS G2 was decommissioned and placed on the disposal list. She was sold for scrap in the early 1920s, with most G‑class submarines being withdrawn from service between 1920 and 1925.
Legacy
The G‑class represented a transitional design in early 20th‑century British submarine development, combining improved surface speed with enhanced submerged endurance. Although HMS G2 saw limited combat action, her service contributed to the Royal Navy’s anti‑submarine efforts during World War I.
Note: Specific launch and commission dates for HMS G2 are not uniformly documented in publicly available authoritative sources.
