USS F-1 SS-20

Type:
Submarine
Class:
Builder:
Union Iron Works
San Francisco, California
Hull Number:
Submarine #20
SS-20 (July 17, 1920)
Ordered:
N/A
Commissioned:
June 19, 1912
Keel Laid:
August 23, 1909
Decommissioned:
N/A
Launched:
September 6, 1911 (a)
Stricken:
N/A
Fate:
Sunk Dec. 17, 1917, rammed by USS F-3 Submarine #23.

Location: North Pacific off Point Loma, San Diego, California.

19 crewmen killed, 5 survivors picked up by F-3.
(Roll of Honor)
Notes:
(a):
Laid down as Carp, renamed F-1 on Nov. 17, 1911.



Timeline
Christened by Miss J. Tynan.
Nov. 17, 1911:
Renamed F-1.
Oct. 11, 1912:
Broke moorings and drifted ashore at Watsonville, California. Two crewmen were washed
overboard and drowned during the incident. (MaritimeQuest Daily Event)

1913:
Assigned to 1st Submarine Flotilla at San Pedro, California.
July 21, 1914:
Flotilla based at Honolulu, Hawaii until Nov. 14, 1915.
Sept. 5, 1915:
Damaged while moored at Honolulu, Hawaii, rammed by USS Supply. All three remaining
F class submarines (F-1, F-2 and F-3) were damaged. F-1 had damage to steering gear
and to her fuel tank.
Mar. 15, 1916:
Placed in ordinary at San Pedro, California.
June 13, 1917:
Returned to full commission, homeported at San Pedro, California.
Dec. 17, 1917:
Rammed and sunk off San Diego, California, 19 crewmen killed, 5 survivors.
Five survivors are;
Brown, Henry L. (Gunner's Mate 1st Class)
Burns, Joseph J. (Chief Gunner's Mate)
Montgomery, Alfred E. (Lieutenant) (Commanding Officer)
Schmissauter, J. M. (Machinist's Mate)
Stewart, John G. (Ship's Cook 3rd Class)
1975:
Wreck located and identified.


Builder's Data
Page published Mar. 29, 2009