A U.S. Navy submarine from World War I, the USS F-1, has been discovered 1,300 feet (396 meters) below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, west of San Diego. The submarine sank on December 17, 1917, following a collision during a training run, which resulted in the deaths of 19 sailors.
The wreck was located during a deep-ocean mission that used advanced technology to map the site without disturbing it. The mission also served as a training cruise for pilots and engineers working with some of the world’s most advanced undersea vehicles.
Bruce Strickrott from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) helped lead the piloting of the expedition. The team documented the submarine and surrounding seafloor with high-resolution video and images. The human-occupied vehicle Alvin, capable of diving to depths of about 6.5 kilometers, was used to directly observe the wreck and create precise 3D models through photogrammetry.
The submarine remains largely intact, lying on its side, with key features still visible. Marine life has also colonized the wreck, adding a unique aspect to the site. Autonomous underwater vehicle Sentry performed initial sonar mapping, followed by Alvin, which conducted slow, deliberate passes over the wreck to ensure safety and preserve the site’s integrity.
The detailed mapping efforts could provide valuable data for both historical research and ongoing monitoring of the wreck site.
