Submarines in the Shires: West Yorkshire’s Hidden Role in Britain’s Midget Submarine Story

 Submarines in the Shires: West Yorkshire’s Hidden Role in Britain’s Midget Submarine Story

When we think of submarines, we picture deep oceans, naval bases, and coastal shipyards—not the rolling hills and industrial towns of West Yorkshire. But tucked away in Huddersfield, a quiet revolution in naval engineering was underway during the Second World War.

Broadbents of Huddersfield: Building Submarines in Secret

Thomas Broadbent & Sons Ltd, a respected engineering firm in Huddersfield, played a vital role in constructing Britain’s X-class midget submarines. These tiny but powerful vessels were designed for stealth missions—sneaking into enemy harbours, laying explosives, and gathering intelligence.

Broadbents built several of these submarines, including X20 (Exemplar) and X21 (Exultant), and contributed to the XE-class used in the Far East. Wartime secrecy meant completed hulls were disguised as motorboats and quietly shipped north for trials. Local stories even mention canal testing and covert rail movements through the town.

D-Day and Beyond: West Yorkshire Craft in Action

The submarines built in Huddersfield weren’t just engineering marvels—they were frontline heroes. X20 and X23 played key roles in Operation Gambit, marking the assault lanes for Allied forces landing on Sword and Juno beaches on D-Day. Their crews carried out dangerous reconnaissance missions and guided the invasion with beacons and signals.

Cold War Comeback: HMS Sprat’s Inland Tour

Fast forward to the 1950s, and the Royal Navy’s midget submarines were back—this time with a twist. The Stickleback-class, including HMS Sprat (X53), was designed for Cold War training and experimental missions. But Sprat also had a surprising second life: as a publicity and recruitment tool.

In 1957, HMS Sprat made an inland journey via the Aire & Calder Navigation, visiting Goole, Wakefield, and Leeds. This wasn’t just a technical feat—it was a symbolic return of maritime technology to the industrial heartland that helped build it. Local newspapers and canal enthusiasts recall Sprat moored in city centres, drawing crowds and sparking curiosity.

This story challenges the idea that naval history belongs only to the coast. It shows how inland communities like Huddersfield were deeply connected to Britain’s maritime defence—through engineering, innovation, and even canal networks.

It also reminds us that history isn’t just about battles and ships—it’s about people, places, and the unexpected journeys that link them.