- USS R-12 (SS-89)
USS "R-12" (SS-89) was an "R"-class coastal and harbor defense
submarine of theUnited States Navy . Her keel was laid down by theFore River Shipbuilding Company ofQuincy, Massachusetts on28 March 1918 . She was launched on15 August 1919 sponsored by Miss Helen Mack, and commissioned atBoston, Massachusetts , on23 September 1919 with Lieutenant F. J. Cunneen in command."R-12" remained at
Boston, Massachusetts , until she headed down the coast on11 March toNew London, Connecticut , whence she operated until the end of May. She then continued south toPanama ; transited thePanama Canal at the end of June; arrived atSan Pedro, California , in July; and with thehull classification symbol SS-89, departed theCalifornia coast forPearl Harbor at the end of August. Arriving6 September 1920 , she remained inHawaii an waters, with occasional exercises on the West Coast and offJohnston Island until12 December 1930 . On that date "R-12" got underway for the East Coast and returned toNew London, Connecticut , on9 February 1931 . She conducted exercises with Destroyer Squadrons of the Scouting Force into the spring, then following overhaul trained personnel assigned to the Submarine School. On27 September 1932 , she departed New London forPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania , where, after decommissioning on7 December 1932 , she joined other R-boats berthed there in the Reserve Fleet.Some seven and a half years later, on
1 July 1940 , "R-12" recommissioned in ordinary and shifted to New London to complete activation. Recommissioned in full16 October 1940 , she sailed forPanama on10 December , arrived on23 December , and into October 1941, patrolled the approaches to thePanama Canal . On31 October , she returned to New London and for the next three months operated off theNew England coast. In February 1942, she commenced patrols to the south and for the next year operated primarily from Guantanamo Bay andKey West, Florida . During March and April 1943 she was back at New London, then in May she returned toKey West, Florida , where she trainedsubmarine rs for the remainder of her career.Shortly after noon on
12 June 1943 , "R-12", while underway to conduct atorpedo practice approach, sounded her last diving alarm. As she completed preparations to dive, the forward battery compartment began to flood. The collision alarm was sounded and a report was made that the forward battery compartment was flooding. Orders were given to blow main ballast, but the sea was faster. In about 15 seconds "R-12" was lost. The commanding officer, two other officers, and three enlisted men were swept from the bridge as the boat sank and were rescued. Forty-two lives were lost. "R-12" was stricken from theNaval Vessel Register 6 July 1943 .References
U.S. Naval Submarine School, "Submarine Casualties Booklet" (New London, Connecticut, 1966)
External links
* [http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/uss-r-12-89.htm On Eternal Patrol: USS "R-12"]
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