Another Tragic Submarine Loss

USS Carp [F-1] SS-20

The F-class submarine seemed fated for tragedy. Another major disaster involving an F-class submarine occurred two years later on December 17, 1917.  It was the ramming and sinking of the USS F-1 (SS-20) by the USS F-3 (SS-22), off Point Loma, California.  On the morning of December 17th, while maneuvering in exercises at sea, the submarines F1 and F3 collided with each other. The F-1, F-2 (SS-21), and F-3 were on the surface making engineering runs when fog set in. In making a change of course, F-1 crossed the path of the F-3. Due principally to the low visibility, the F-3 failed to see the F-1 in time, and the F-1 was struck on the port side aft of the conning tower. A large hole resulted which caused the F-1 to plunge to the bottom in 100 fathoms of water in about ten seconds.   Nineteen of her men were lost, while five of her crew escaped to be rescued by the submarines with whom she was operating. Due to the prohibitive depth of 600 feet, no attempt was ever made to raise the F-1.

Submariners Lost on USS F1 (SS20):

John Belt, SN

Frank Mathew Bernard, MM2

William Lester Cartwright, SN

Harry M. Corson, EMC

James Goonan, GMC

Simon Greenberg, EM1

Lyman F. Lovly, MM2

Ralph E. McClure, EM2

Duncan A. McRae, EM1

John P. Messang, MMC

Grover E. Metz, MM2

Edward E. Hall, MM1

Ray Ellsworth Scott, EM1

Elbert Smith, MM2

Guy Raymond Stewart, MMC

Dudley Stough, GMC

Charles F. Vincent, EM2

Thomas Alfred Walsh, MM1

Clyde William Wyatt, MM1

Related Pages

Losses - Lessons Learned

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California Center for Military History