Discovery of USS F‑1 wreck sheds light on 1917 naval tragedy
Scientists have discovered the wreck of the American submarine USS F-1, which sank in 1917. It is located off the coast of San Diego, at a depth of over 400 metres.
Key information
- The USS F-1 wreck was located off the coast of San Diego.
- The submarine sank in 1917 after a collision with another vessel.
- An expedition by WHOI and the US Navy discovered the wreck at a depth of over 400 metres.
Scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the United States Navy made an extraordinary discovery off the coast of San Diego. On the ocean floor, they found the wreck of the American submarine USS F-1, which sank in 1917 during exercises, and a Navy training aircraft that crashed in 1950.
As reported by Live Science, the USS F-1 sank due to a collision with another U.S. Navy submarine. In this tragic accident, 19 crew members died, and three were rescued. The wreck rests at a depth of over 400 metres, making human diving impossible. The research was conducted using underwater vehicles HOV Alvin and AUV Sentry.
Bruce Strickrott from WHOI emphasized that the combination of capabilities from both underwater vehicles significantly contributed to the advancement of oceanographic research. "These two important oceanographic tools work extremely well together," said Strickrott in an interview with Live Science.
During the expedition, the wreck of a Grumman TBF Avenger aircraft, which crashed nearby in 1950, was also examined. Thanks to the latest research, the US Navy was able to confirm that no people were killed in the crash.
Respect for history
The USS F-1 wreck is currently treated as a memorial site for the tragically deceased sailors. WHOI and the US Navy decided not to interfere with its condition to preserve its historical value, paying tribute to the fallen soldiers.
This discovery not only enriches the knowledge of the history of the U.S. Navy but also shows how modern technology can help uncover the mysteries of the past.
