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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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Federal funding is gone.

Congress has eliminated all funding for public media.

That means $2.1 million per year that Connecticut Public relied on to deliver you news, information, and entertainment programs you enjoyed is gone.

The future of public media is in your hands.

All donations are appreciated, but we ask in this moment you consider starting a monthly gift as a Sustainer to help replace what’s been lost.

Donate

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