A joint expedition by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the U.S. Navy has located the wrecks of the USS F-1 submarine and a Grumman TBF Avenger aircraft off the coast of San Diego, California. The discovery, made between February 24 and March 4, 2025, sheds light on two significant historical losses.
The USS F-1 sank on December 17, 1917, during a training exercise after colliding with another submarine. The wreck was found at a depth of over 1,300 feet using advanced underwater technology, including the Alvin submersible and Sentry autonomous underwater vehicle. The submarine rests on its starboard side, remaining remarkably intact after more than a century on the seabed. The site is now considered a war grave for the 19 crew members who died in the accident.
The expedition also surveyed the Grumman TBF Avenger aircraft, which crashed in the same area in October 1950 during a training flight. The Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) officially identified the aircraft and confirmed that the crew survived the crash. This collaborative effort highlights the crucial role of science and technology in uncovering and documenting submerged historical sites.