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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patch on left contributed by Mike Smolinski, on right by Christopher J. Pauli.

Nautilus (SSN-571)
Keel Laying - Commissioning

Radio Call Sign: November - Whiskey - Charlie - Lima

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Actice Service
Decommissioining
Present Day

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
Presidential Unit Citation (Courtesy of Christopher J. Pauli) - National Defense Service Medal

Nautilus Class Submarine: Laid down, 14 June 1952, at Electric Boat Co., Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT.; Launched, 21 January 1954; Commissioned, USS Nautilus (SSN-571), 30 September 1954; left Groton in 1979 under her own power and arrived at Mare Island in preparation for Decommissioning on 3 March 1980. Final Disposition; In May 1985 boat was towed back to Groton for use as a Museum, and was opened to the public on 11 April 1986 as a museum ship. Nautilus is located at the Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum, NAVSUBASE, New London, Groton, CT. Nautilus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Ref. No. 79003652, and was designated a National Historic Landmark on 20 May 1982.
Partial data submitted by Ron Reeves, HTC, USNR (ret.)

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 3,533 t., Submerged: 4,092 t.; Length 323' 9"; Beam 27' 8"; Draft 18' 7"; Speed, Surfaced 22 kts, Submerged 20+ kts; Complement 105; Armament, 6 21" torpedo tubes forward; Propulsion, nuclear, double propeller.(Courtesy of Ken Hart).

Size	Image Description	Source
105k	Submarine History Profiles: First true submarine: Holland (SS-01) in 1900. First U.S. Deisel submarine: E-1 (SS-24) in 1911. First Fleet boat: V-1 (SS-163) in 1922. First GUPPY: Odax (SS-484) in 1947. First nuclear powered submarine:Nautilus (SSN-571) in 1954. First submarine to completey circumnavigate the earth submerged: Triton (SSRN-586) in 1959. Latest generation of U.S. ballastic submarines: Ohio (SSBN-726), in 1980.	US Navy photo courtesy of Robert Hall. Photo i.d. courtesy of Dave Johnston.
188k	Aerial view of Electric Boat Co;'s yard, which will build the hull of the Navy's new atomic submarine, September 1951.	Photographer: Margaret Bourke-White, courtesy of time.com. via / images.google.com & Life.
93k	President Harry S. Truman authenticates the keel of the Nautilus (SSN-571) at her keel laying at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn. on 14 June 1952.	US Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
192k	A view of the construction site on the Thomas River where the atomic submarine Nautilus (SSN-571) is being cleard by the Navy censor, 1953.	Photographer: Hank Walker, courtesy of time.com. via / images.google.com & Life.
219k	A view of the construction site on the Thomas River where the atomic submarine Nautilus (SSN-571) is being cleard by the Navy censor, 1953.	Photographer:Hank Walker, courtesy of time.com. via / images.google.com & Life.
225k	Workmen putting the finishing touches on the Nautilus (SSN-571), the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, at the General Dynamics Electric Boat Division shipyard in Groton, Ct.	Photo courtesy of time.com. via / images.google.com & Life.
102k	Oil on canvas, entitled "Birth of the Nuclear Navy", featuring the Nautilus (SSN-571). Gift of Former First Lady, Mamie Eisenhower.	US Navy photo.
58k	Insert of Launching Program for the Nautilus (SSN-571).	Photo courtesy of vendio.com via Ron Reeves.
46k	Front cover of the Launching Program for the Nautilus (SSN-571), 21 Jan. 1954.	Photo courtesy of vendio.com via Ron Reeves.
109k	Twin billing: Nautilus (SSN-571) ready for launch & Seawolf (SSN-575) under construction on 21 Jan. 1954.	Photo courtesy of vendio.com via Ron Reeves.
165k	Nautilus (SSN-571) is decked out in her ceremonial bunting on the ways, awaiting the arrival of the Ship's Sponsor.	Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
106k	The First Lady Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Ship's Sponsor arriving at the Christening Ceremony accompanied by John Jay Hopkins, Chairman & President of General Dynamics Corporation. (The side boys are crewmen of the Nautilus (SSN-571).	Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
100k	From right to left: Mrs. Eisenhower prepares to christen the ship, holding the ceremonial bottle of Champaign, Mr. Hopkins, Mrs. Eugene P. Wilkerson and Commander Edward L. Beach, USN (President Eisenhower's Naval Aide).	Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
128k	Mrs. Eisenhower smashes the bottle across the bow as she exclaims, "I Christen thee *Nautilus*! Mr. Hopkins and Cdr. Beach look on. The Ship's Matron of Honor Mrs. Eugene P. Wilkerson (wife of the ship's commanding officer), stands back as she holds Maime's bouquet.	Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
158k	The Nautilus (SSN-571) began sliding down the ways at exactly 1057 hours.	Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
160k	The Nautilus (SSN-571) slips into the waters of the Thames River for the first time.	Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
132k	The Nautilus (SSN-571), still moving astern, is now completely afloat. The event was attended by in excess of 20,000 spectators.	Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
132k	The Nautilus (SSN-571), now stationary in the Thames, poses for her first official portrait.	Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
125k	Tug boats will push the boat to shore to begin Nautilus (SSN-571) career as the first nuclear powered U.S. submarine.	Photo courtesy of vendio.com via Ron Reeves.
32k	Commemorative postal cover marking the launching of the Nautilus (SSN-571) at Electric Boat Co., Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT., 21 January 1954 by the Former First Lady, Mamie Eisenhower.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
30k	Obverse side of the Launching Medal for the first nuclear powered ship, Nautilus (SSN-571) on 21 January 1954. The ship's sponsor was the First Lady Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower. The medal was produced by the General Dynamics Corporation.	Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
37k	Reverse side of the Launching Medal for the first nuclear powered ship, Nautilus (SSN-571), on 21 January 1954.	Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
676k	Commissioning plaque of the Nautilus (SSN-571), 30 Sept. 1950.	Official US Navy photo, courtesy of Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics Corp. Photo submitted in memory of Clifford E. Robison, Electric Boat Co, by John Robison. Photo added 09/02/09.
179k	Submarine Silhouettes of 1960: Nautilus (SSN-571), Seawolf (SSN-575), Skate (SSN-578), Skipjack (SS-585), Triton (SSRN-586), Halibut (SSGN-587), Thresher (SSN-593), Tullibee (SSN-597), George Washington (SSBN-598), & Ethan Allen (SSBN-608) classes.	U.S. Navy Photograph submitted by Ron Titus, courtesy of Ingersoll-Rand. Corp.
187k	Nuclear Submarine Profiles 1960: Nautilus (SSN-571), Seawolf (SSN-575), Triton (SSRN-586), Skate (SSN-578) & Skipjack (SS-585) classes, Halibut (SSGN-587) & Tullibee (SSN-597) classes, George Washington (SSBN-598) & Thresher (SSN-593) classes.	US Navy photo courtesy of Ron Titus courtesy of Ingersoll-Rand. Corp. Photo i.d. courtesy of Dave Johnston.