Name USS F-1 Commissioned 19 June 1912 Launched 6 September 1911 Beam 4.7 m | Laid down as USS Carp Class and type F-class submarine Length 43 m Builder Union Iron Works | |
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Renamed USS F-1, 17 November 1911 Fate Sunk by collision, 17 December 1917 | ||
USS F-1 (SS-20) was an F-class submarine. She was named Carp when her keel was laid down by Union Iron Works of San Francisco, California, making her the first ship of the United States Navy named for the carp. She was launched on 6 September 1911 sponsored by Ms. J. Tynan, renamed F-1 on 17 November 1911, and commissioned on 19 June 1912, Lieutenant, junior grade J.B. Howell in command.
Service history
Assigned to the First Submarine Group, Pacific Torpedo Flotilla, F-1 operated in the San Francisco, California area on trials and tests through 11 January 1913, when she joined the flotilla for training at sea between San Diego, California and San Pedro, California, then in San Diego Harbor.
In late 1912, the boat — which then held the world's deep diving record, descending to 283 ft (86 m) — slipped her mooring at Port Watsonville in Monterey Bay, California, and grounded on a nearby beach. While most of the crew of 17 safely evacuated, two men died in the incident.
From 21 July 1914 – 14 November 1915, the Flotilla based at Honolulu, Hawaii for development operations in the Hawaiian Islands.
F-1 was in ordinary from 15 March 1916 – 13 June 1917. When she returned to full commission, she served with the Patrol Force, Pacific, making surface and submerged runs to continue her part in the development of submarine tactics. Her base during this time was San Pedro, California. On 17 December 1917, while maneuvering in exercises off Point Loma, San Diego, California, F-1 and F-3 collided, the former sinking in ten seconds, her port side torn forward of the engine room. Nineteen of her men were lost; the remaining five were rescued by the submarines with which she was operating.