Century-Old U.S. Submarine Found Remarkably Intact Off San Diego Coast

 

Digitally Reconstructed Image of U.S. Submarine F-1 Wreck Near San Diego Seafloor
A high-resolution digital reconstruction using sonar data reveals the U.S. submarine F-1 resting on the ocean floor just miles off the coast of San Diego. (Image credit: Zoe Daheron, © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Century-Old Submarine Discovered Intact off San Diego Coast

In a remarkable deep-sea discovery, researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the U.S. Navy have located the long-lost USS F-1 submarine more than 100 years after it sank during a tragic training accident in 1917. The wreck, found a few miles off the coast of San Diego, lies at a depth of over 1,300 feet (400 meters) and has been described as "remarkably intact."

A Tragic Tale from World War I

The USS F-1 was conducting a 48-hour engineering run between San Pedro and San Diego when it collided with another Navy submarine, the USS F-3, in heavy fog. The impact was catastrophic—USS F-1 sank within seconds, claiming the lives of 19 sailors. Only three crew members were rescued by the accompanying vessel.

Digital Reconstruction of U.S. Submarine F-1 Wreck Discovered Off San Diego Coast

For over a century, the exact location of the wreck remained a mystery. That changed when researchers deployed advanced underwater technology to map the seafloor.

High-Tech Exploration and Deep-Sea Survey

The discovery was made using two of WHOI's most advanced oceanographic tools: the human-occupied vehicle (HOV) Alvin and the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Sentry, both launched from the research vessel Atlantis. AUV Sentry first located the wreck on the very first afternoon of searching, guided by historical Navy records.

Sonar-Based Digital Reconstruction of U.S. Submarine F-1 Wreck Near San Diego

Subsequent dives with Alvin allowed scientists to capture detailed images of the wreck, including its conning tower and the visible hull damage that led to its sinking. Out of respect for the 19 fallen sailors, no contact was made with the submarine, which is now recognized as a war grave.

Nearby Wreck of 1950 Navy Bomber Also Surveyed

In addition to the USS F-1, the expedition also surveyed the wreck of a U.S. Navy Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber that crashed during training in 1950. Although the wreck had previously been observed by WHOI, it had never been officially documented by the U.S. Navy.

Digitally Reconstructed Image of U.S. Submarine F-1 Wreck on San Diego Seafloor

The dives confirmed that no lives were lost in the bomber crash. Interestingly, researchers noted the number "13" on the aircraft's engine—a symbol that sparked curiosity. It was later verified that the number denoted the aircraft’s training squadron.

A Testament to Technology and History

This dual discovery highlights the powerful combination of modern oceanographic tools and historical research. Bruce Strickrott, manager of the Alvin group, emphasized the synergy between Alvin and Sentry, noting that these missions are transforming how we explore the deep ocean.

The USS F-1 submarine and the training bomber remain submerged but preserved, serving as silent witnesses to a bygone era of military service and sacrifice.