9/7/2023 0 Comments Nautilus submarine crew![]() ![]() On 9 April 1979, the Nautilus undertook its last voyage. She participated in NATO exercises and conducted numerous tours of Europe. Most of the career of the Nautilus was spent assigned to Submarine Squadron 10 in Connecticut. Space and the ocean were, and still are, considered the final frontiers of human exploration and the USA's claim of developing the first nuclear sub went a long way in claiming their dominance over Soviet Russia. The crew of the Nautilus then travelled to England before returning to Connecticut. However, Operation Sunshine proved to be a huge success. The crew at one point even considered using torpedoes to shatter through the ice if the crew were disoriented and lost. ![]() There were fears the submarine would lose oxygen and the generators would freeze. The operation was not without difficulty, though, as the Nautilus found navigation beneath the ice sheet to be very complex. The vessel resurfaced near the coast of Greenland. The North Pole expedition was named Operation Sunshine and the journey saw the vessel travel 1,830 miles under the ice - shattering submarine records at the time. The Soviets had recently launched the landmark Sputnik space satellite, but they did not yet have a nuclear submarine. The achievement was notable as it took place at the height of the USA's technological rivalry with the Soviet Union. In the summer of 1958, the submarine completed the first-ever underwater trip to the North Pole. The early years of the Nautilus saw it break several records. The submarine was completed years ahead of schedule and in January 1955, the sub ran on nuclear power for the very first time. Mamie Eisenhower, the wife of President Dwight Eisenhower and First Lady of the United States, broke a bottle of champagne on the bow of the USS Nautilus to celebrate its completion. Next, let's explore the career of the Nautilus and investigate its legacy. The world's first nuclear submarine was born. She could carry a crew of over 100 officers and was capable of reaching the impressive speed of 20 knots (or 23 mph). In June 1952, the keel of the Nautilus was officially laid.Īfter construction finished, the Nautilus measured 324ft (98.7m) long with an 88ft beam. The vessel would combine the latest developments in submarine technology whilst also implementing nuclear capabilities. The United States Congress, realising the speed of nuclear development, quickly ordered a nuclear submarine for the U.S. What would be the world's first nuclear submarine was conceptualized in 1950 - just five years after the conclusion of the Second World War and a few years before the height of the Korean War. Now that we've established what nuclear submarines are and why they're important, let's back to the story of the USS Nautilus. Whilst there are advantages to traditional submarines, nuclear vessels are far more preferable for long distances and prolonged time under the surface. Traditional submarines such as those used in the World Wars require regular resurfacing to take in oxygen. The main advantage of nuclear power is endurance. What Are The Advantages of Nuclear Power? However, this flaw was corrected as the technology progressed. This water is not only used for steam as it also serves as drinking water for the crew after the harmful bacteria and salt is removed from it.Įarly nuclear submarines such as the USS Nautilus had problems with their noise output which made them easier targets. Nuclear submarines pull in seawater and purify it. They obtain their energy creation by splitting atoms, and the resulting heat spins turbines to generate energy. These submarines work with the assistance of nuclear generators. Its influence can still be felt today.īefore we get into the life and times of the world's first nuclear submarine, let's first talk about what a nuclear submarine is and what sets it apart from a regular one. ![]() The USS Nautilus was revolutionary in many ways and laid the groundwork for nuclear subs. ![]() It was commissioned in 1952 and served until 1980 before it was converted into a museum ship. The first nuclear submarine was the USS Nautilus (SSN-571). Nuclear submarines have been a constant in global warfare for most of us, but where did the first one originate? The vessel set the standard for how nuclear submarines are built today. The first nuclear submarine was the USS Nautilus (1955-1979) which featured numerous technological advancements. ![]()
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