The USS Nautilus was the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine. It was commissioned by the United States Navy on September 30, 1954, and was named after the fictional submarine in Jules Verne’s novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.” The History Of The USS Nautilus and the submarines that came after her are the inspiration for the Attack Submarine US Navy Challenge Coins we produce.
The Nautilus was designed by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, who oversaw the development of the nuclear program for the U.S. Navy. It was built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics at its shipyard in Groton, Connecticut.
The Nautilus was powered by a pressurized water reactor, which used nuclear fission to generate electricity and heat. This allowed the submarine to operate for extended periods of time without the need for refueling. The Nautilus was also equipped with a snorkel, which allowed it to run its diesel engines and recharge its batteries while submerged.
On January 17, 1955, the Nautilus made its first nuclear-powered voyage, traveling from New London, Connecticut, to San Juan, Puerto Rico. It traveled a total of 1,200 nautical miles (2,222 kilometers) and submerged for 101 hours and 40 minutes during the journey.
The Nautilus went on to make numerous historic voyages, including the first crossing of the North Pole by a submarine in 1958. It also served as a test platform for various technologies, including the first use of satellite communications by a submarine.
The Nautilus was decommissioned on March 3, 1980, after a 25-year career. It is now a museum ship in Groton, Connecticut, and is open to the public for tours.
