HMS L2

HMS L2 was a British L-class submarine built by Vickers, Barrow. Originally laid down as E-class submarine E58 on 18 May 1916, she and sister ship HMS E57 incorporated enough changes that they were renamed as the first pair of boats of a newly designated L class. L2 was launched 6 July 1917, and commissioned on 18 December 1917.

L2 survived an accidental attack by three American destroyers on 24 February 1918. The first heavy depth charge jammed the hydroplanes hard up. This caused a tremendous inclination to the stern with the tail of the submarine touching the sea bed at 300 feet. Four more heavy depth charges exploded shaking the boat. The skipper, Lieutenant-Commander Anworth, gave the order to blow the number 5 and 6 ballast tanks. L2 surfaced and came under fire by the three destroyers from about 1,500 yards. One shot struck the pressure hull just abaft the conning tower. The crew waved white ensigns and fired rifles and the destroyers ceased fire. She survived the encounter.

L2 sailed to Hong Kong in 1919 and then was placed in the Reserve Flotilla in Hong Kong in 1923. She was sold in March 1930, and arrived in April at Ward, Grays for break up.