F-1

F-1 aground off Watsonville, California 1912

The F-1 was moored to a buoy off Watsonville when she was struck with a large wave. The Mooring line parted and the sub drifted into the pier before being washed ashore before the crew could get the vessel under control.

(Newspaper Story) PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, OCT 12, 1912
Watsonville, CA Oct 11, 1912
Gustave August Schroeder of Milwaukee and T. James Turbett of Newark, N. J., seamen on board the United States submarine F-1, were drowned today when a great wave swept over the little craft, which later went aground near port Watsonville.

The extent of the damage to the submarine has not been determined. Low tide left it upright in the sand in three feet of water. The F-1 is the holder of the world's record for submarine diving, having gone down 283 feet in San Francisco Bay, September 5, 1912. She was christened the Carp, and was renamed November 17, 1911. She was in command of Lieutenant James B. Howell.

Schroeder and Turbett were on watch at daybreak with a third seaman when a rising sea tore the submarine from its moorings to a buoy. Before the seamen could get control of the steering gear the deck was engulfed in a wave and Schroeder and Turbett were carried overboard.

The third seaman saved himself, by grasping the railing. He was badly bruised and almost drowned when rescued a few moments later by his comrades. The body of Turbett was washed ashore late today, Schroeder's body has not been recovered.

The thirteen remaining members of the crew worked for six hours to save the craft from being beached, but had to abandon her, and a few minutes later rammed her nose into the sand, A tug will convey her to Mare Island Navy Yard for repairs. There is about three feet of water in her hold, but she is believed to be seaworthy.

The submarine was refloated a few days later on October 18 and towed to Mare Island for repair.

An Original Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman
This is one half of an original unpublished stereo photo. The other half was not in as good a condition as this half.

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