Vintage American Images: USS Nautilus launched: the first nuclear powered submarine

Today this happened in the past

USS Nautilus launched; the first nuclear-powered submarine

After nearly 18 months of construction, USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was launched on January 21, 1954.

Following her commissioning, Nautilus remained dockside for further construction and testing. On 17 January 1955, she put to sea for the first time and signaled her historic message: "Underway on nuclear power."

Nautilus became the first operational nuclear-powered ship in the United States Navy

USS Nautilus during her initial sea trials, 20 January 1955

For several years thereafter, Nautilus shattered all records for endurance and speed. The record for the longest submerged cruise by a submarine at the highest sustained speed was easily broken traveling on its first test of 1,200 nautical miles (2,200 km; 1,400 mi) in less than ninety hours.

As testing continued over the next several years Nautilus proved that a nuclear-powered submarine rendered WorldWar II submarine technology as obsolete and all anti-submarine warfare worthless. Nautilus was quickly able to move out of an area, change her depth quickly, and stay submerged for very long periods.

Making history under the North Pole

Leaving Hawaii on 23 July 1958, Nautilus and her crew were on a history-making journey, never before attempted. The crew was kept in the dark until 11:15 pm on August 3, 1958, the new Commanding Officer, Commander William R. Anderson, announced to the 116 anxious crewmen aboard, "For the world, our country, and the Navy - the North Pole." A seemingly impossible mission.

Commander William R. Anderson

USS Nautilus (SSN 571) crew approaches on their way to the North Pole. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy.

The Nautilus submerged in the Barrow Sea Valley on August 1st and by August 3rd, at 2315 (EDT) she became the first watercraft to reach the geographic North Pole. A first in navigational feats at the extreme latitudes.

Navigation beneath the arctic ice sheet was very difficult. Above 85°N both magnetic compasses and normal gyrocompasses become useless. A special gyrocompass was installed shortly before the journey. There was also a risk that the Nautilus would become disoriented beneath the ice and that the commander would need to make educated guesses on their direction and location. It was even considered using torpedoes to blow a hole in the ice if the submarine needed to surface.

Even before reaching the ice covering the North Pole, the most difficult part of the journey was in the Bering Strait. The ice was as much as 60 feet below sea level and did not leave much room for the boat to travel.

Route of the Nautilus

After reaching the North Pole, Nautilus continued, submerged, for 96 hours and 1,590 nautical miles (2,940 km; 1,830 mi) under the ice. It surfaced northeast of Greenland, having completed the first successful submerged voyage around the North Pole.

Navigator's report: Nautilus, 90°N, 19:15U, 3 August 1958, zero to North Pole.

Needless to say, the Nautilus and her crew became famous. The crew received a Unit Citation, the first ever issued in peace time on October 29th. 1958.