Documentary Project: Twice Forgotten - The Story of the USS R-12

During our May meeting we learned about a project to produce a documentary film about the loss and location of the hulk of the USS R-12 (SS-89). The USS R-12 (SS-89) was lost during World War II off Key West, Florida. The sunken remains were discovered in 600 feet of water in 2010. You can read more about the R-12, her crew and exploration of the hulk at the USS R-12 Submarine website.

The documentary project, called “Twice Forgotten – The Story of the USS R-12” is being funded through the Kickstarter online funding platform. The organization behind the project is trying to raise $89,000 to move forward. Projects on Kickstarter have a limited time to raise funds and the Twice Forgotten project is currently closing in on $25,000 with only 31 days to go.

The USSVI Board of Directors has endorsed the project by pledging $1,000 to it and encourages all USSVI bases and base members to join them. Our collective participation will help empower them to finally tell the story of the USS R-12 Submarine's tragic sinking, the families left without any information and the quest to solve the mysteries that have been unanswered after all this time.

Here is a short video explaining the project:


You can participate in funding the project by going to the Kickstarter page for the “Twice Forgotten – The Story of the USS R-12” project, reviewing the information about the project, and clicking the BACK THIS PROJECT button.

Then you can select you level of support and enter your information for payment (payments are handled through Amazon Payments).

When you've completed your pledge information, you will get a email notification thanking you for the pledge. At the end of the pledge drive on June 30, the donor list will be reviewed by us so that USSVI gets recognition for all our collective donations. This project will be funded and your pledge converted to a donation ONLY if at least $89,000 is pledged by Sunday, June 30.

Note: If you are a Seattle Base USSVI member and do not wish to pledge using the above online method, there is still a way you can support the project. Seattle Base is gathering information to make a collective pledge on the behalf of members. To make a pledge through Seattle Base, please email Seattle Base Newsletter Editor Dave Schueler (you can also call him at his home number listed on page 10 of the newsletter), give him your name and the dollar amount of your pledge by June 15.

When the project exceeds $ 89,000, Dave will get back with you requesting reimbursement of the pledge amount. If the project falls short of the $89,000 goal, all pledges will be cancelled.

The following Seattle Base members have already pledged to the R-12 project:
Larry Abbott, Doug Abramson, Pierre Bruneau, Fred Ensslin, Dick Gonzales, Bob Haslan, Lois Mezek, Bob Morris, Ken Murray, Robbie Robertson, Steve Shelton, Ralph Sterley, Art Thompson, and Keith & Judy Watson.

Thanks for your support.