U.S.S. R-12 Key West

The U.S. submarine R-12 was designed by Holland and built by Fore River Shipbuilding Company in Quincy, Massachusetts. She was 186.2 feet long, had an 18 foot beam and a 14.6 foot draft. The R class submarines were an enlarged development of the "O" Class. The R-12 had the new 21-in torpedo tubes and 1200 hp diesel engine. The R-12 had been employed on training duties during World War II.

On June 12, 1943, the R-12 was cruising off Key West, Florida. She was about to take her position for a torpedo practice run. The collision alarm sounded, and a report that her forward battery compartment was flooding was passed on to the bridge. Orders were given to blow her main ballast and close hatches, but the R-12 sank within 15 seconds. She took 42 officers and crew to a watery grave. The only survivors were her bridge personnel, which included two officers and three enlisted men.

The R-12 now sits in 600 feet of water. This wreck is too deep for all but the most highly experienced professional divers using mixed gas to breath.

Photo: The R-12 was 186.2 feet long and had an 18 foot beam. On June 12,1943, the R-12 was cruising off Key West. She was about to take her position for a torpedo practice run when her forward battery compartment flooded. She went down in 15 seconds. Photo courtesy Captain Billy Deans

Basic shipwreck information and images for this section of this site was taken with permission from the book Florida Shipwrecks by Daniel Berg. You are invited to submit your shipwreck related articles, images and information. As long as the text, photographs, sketches etc are of professional quality we will showcase them. Full credit will be provided and a same page link to your web site can be arranged.