USS Nautilus SSN-571, the world first nuclear submarine USS Nautilus is arguably the most famous submarine in the world. She was first in many respects, including being the first nuclear submarine, first submarine to navigate under the North Pole, as well as setting many endurance records for submerged operations. On June 14, 1952 the keel for USS Nautilus was laid at Electric Boat Division in Groton, Connecticut. Nineteen months later, on January 21, 1954 she was launched. Just eight months later, on September 30, 1954 she was commissioned into the US Navy. "Underway on nuclear power".  January 17, 1955, Nautilus leaves her berth under the command of Commander Eugene P. Wilkinson to pass into the history books. Her nuclear reactor was developed by the Naval Reactors Branch of the Atomic Energy Commission, under direction of Captain Hyman G. Rickover. Nuclear power enabled Nautilus to remain submerged for weeks at a time, as there was no need to surface and recharge batteries, whereas diesel boats were required to surface or snorkel every couple of days. Her endurance was primarily limited by her stores and oxygen supply. Because of her ability to remain submerged for extended periods, Nautiluswas chosen for `Operation Sunshine`, the first crossing under the North Pole. On July 28, 1958 she departed Pearl Harbor for the Bering Straits and the Arctic ice pack. She reached the geographic North Pole on August 3. She then completed her transpolar voyage, arriving in Portland, England on August 12. In 1979 Nautilus made her final voyage under nuclear power, arriving at Mare Island Shipyard on May 26 for deactivation. She was decommissioned on March 30, 1980. Nautilus was declared a National Historic Landmark on May 20, 1982. Plans were made to allow her to be opened as a museum. After returning to Mare Island Shipyard for work to prepare her for public access, she was towed back to Groton, Connecticut. Specifications, USS Nautilus SSN-571: Built by the Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut; launched January 21, 1954   Displacement (srf/sub tons): 3,764/4,092 Dimensions (L*B*D feet): 319`4*27`6*22 Propulsion: Westinghouse S2W Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR), 15,000 hp, geared steam turbine, twin screw Speed (srf/sub knots): 22/24 Range (srf/sub miles@knots): not relevant Diving depth (feet): 700 Complement: 10 officers 84 enlisted Missile: none Torpedo: 6*21" bow torpedo tubes Armament: none Construction The Nautilus was basically a prototype submarine of a double hull construction. Except for its atomic reactor, the Nautilus was a larger version of the conventionally powered Tang class submarine. Back to History index   Image Country Year Description United States USS Nautilus, SSN-571, 50th anniversary Launching Station january 21, 1954-2004, Groton CT, 21 January, 2004 United States USS Nautilus, SSN-571, Decommissioning Ceremony at Mare Island Naval Ship Yard, Short history, Mare Island CA, 3 March, 1980 United States USS Nautilus, SSN-571, Invitation to Decommissioning Ceremony at Mare Island Naval Ship Yard, Mare Island CA, 3 March, 1980 United States USS Nautilus, SSN-571, Decommissioning Ceremony at Mare Island Naval Ship Yard, List of commanding officers, Mare Island CA, 3 March, 1980 United States USS Nautilus, SSN-571, 45th anni' 1954-1999, Groton CT, 30th Sep', 1999 United States USS Nautilus, SSN-571, 20th anniversary of the commissioning September 30, 1954, Groton CT, 30 Sep', 1974 Monaco 1955 Jules Verne.SSN-571 Nautilus Panama 1965 First under the north pole 3.8.1958.SSN-571 Nautilus (imperforated brown) Panama 1965 First under the north pole 3.8.1958.SSN-571 Nautilus (perforated blue) Umm Al-Qaiwain (UAE) 1972 Submarine USS Nautilus SSN-571 (souvenir sheet) Laos 1975 USS Nautilus SSN-571.Nuclear submarine at the Norh Pole Mali 1975 20,000 leagues under the sea,nuclear powerd submarine Central African Rep. 1985 The Nautilus in margin Gambia, The 1988 First nuclear powerd submarine 1954.USS Nautilus SSN-571 Turks and Caicos Is. 1991 Submarine SSN-571 Nautilus Cambodia 1994 First nuclear submarine USS Nautilus SSN-571, 1954 Palau 1995 Submarine USS Nautilus 2,300 feet Sierra Leone 1996 The nuclear powered submarine 1950's SSN-571 Nautilus Mali 1999 Submarine USS Nautilus SSN-571.Cdt. W.Anderson San Marino 2000 USS Nautilus,SSN-571 Liberia 2001 Submarine USS Nautilus SSN-571 Saint Kitts & Nevis 2005 100th anni` of the death of Jules Verne 1828-1905. USS Nautilus, SSN-571 (miniature sheet) Romania 9999 25th anni` of USS Nautilus, SSN-571, Under the North Pole 3rd August 1958, 3 August 1983, Calarasi Romania 9999 30th anni` of USS Nautilus, SSN-571, Under the North Pole 3rd August 1958, 3 August 1988, Ploiesti