USS F-1 Submarine Remembrance

In December 1917, a group of 19 sailors from US submarines tragically lost their lives during a training operation. As the anniversary approached, scientists captured a previously unseen photograph of the submarine’s resting place off the California coast.

The USS F-1 sank after colliding with another submarine on December 17, 1917, and now lies 1,300 feet beneath the San Diego ocean floor.

“Experiencing these significant shipwrecks firsthand was both humbling and exhilarating,” expressed Brad Kruger, an underwater archaeologist from the Navy History and Heritage Command (NHC). “We appreciate the collaboration that has allowed us to document and assess the condition of this vessel.”

The NHC’s mission revolves around preserving and sharing the history of the US Navy. Between February 24 and March 4, researchers from Woods Hole Marine Facilities (WHOI) used the human-occupied submersible Alvin and the autonomous underwater vehicle Sentry from the National Deep Submergence Facility to capture extensive images of the wreck.

“It was truly a privilege as a Navy veteran to dive with another veteran and a historian,” noted Rob Sparlock, an officer in the Navy Research Program. “After nearly eight hours underwater, I couldn’t help but reflect on the risks that all mariners have faced, both in the past and now. It highlighted the significance of these training dives and the lessons that come from them.”

During their investigation, the team also examined a naval torpedo bomber training aircraft that had crashed in the same area in 1950. Bruce Strickrott, from WHOI, emphasized the role of advanced ocean technology and teamwork in capturing these new images.

“It was a profound honor to visit the F-1 wreck,” he remarked. “I was able to identify the wreck and ensure safety for the dive, which allowed for a perspective that I had never encountered before.”

The submarine investigation included seven dives designed to provide practical experience for training pilots. In a somber moment, the team held a ceremony to remember the fallen sailors, ringing the bell 19 times on the research vessel Atlantis directly above the wreck.

Kruger highlighted, “History and archaeology are fundamentally about people; it was vital for us to read their names aloud. The Navy holds a deep responsibility to ensure that the legacy of these lost sailors is honored.”

Utilizing advanced imaging technology, including Atlantis’ multi-beam sonar system and Sentry’s, the team was able to create detailed maps of the wreck. This facilitated the reconstruction of the site through photogrammetry, yielding a 3D model of the submarine.

“While these depths were manageable for Alvin and Sentry, they required technical diving skills and specialized gear,” stated Anna Michel, chief scientist at NDSF, who co-led the expedition. “We took great care to approach these historic sites respectfully and to share the extraordinary images that capture their significance.”