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Nautilus Turns Sixty

Connecticut Public Radio | By The Associated Press
Published January 22, 2014 at 12:06 PM EST
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Jan. 21, 1954 the USS Nautilus is in the Thames River shortly after a christening ceremony.
US Navy / Creative Commons
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Jan. 21, 1954, the USS Nautilus slips into the Thames River.
US Navy / Creative Commons
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The USS Nautilus on its initial sea trials , 1/20/1955.
Creative Commons
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Jan. 21, 1954, spectators gather around the nuclear-powered submarine USS Nautilus
US Navy / Creative Commons
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Jan. 21, 1954, First lady Mamie Eisenhower christens the nuclear-powered submarine USS Nautilus
US Navy / Creative Commons
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The USS Nautilus permanently docked at the US Submarine Force Museum and Library, Groton, CT
Victor-ny / Creative Commons

The world's first nuclear-powered submarine is 60 years old. The Nautilus was christened on January 21, 1954, by first lady Mamie Eisenhower before a crowd of 20,000 people in Groton.

The submarine was built by Electric Boat. At the time, it could travel faster and farther than any other submarine, and would become the first ship to cross the North Pole in 1958.

The vessel was decommissioned in 1980, but it found new importance. In 1986, it became the centerpiece of a museum dedicated to the submarine force in Groton.

You can check out the Nautilus at the Submarine Force Museum.
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The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

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Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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