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, Nautilus was 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.