Submarine Force Museum

The Submarine Force Museum in Groton, Connecticut, home of Historic Ship Nautilus (SSN 571), is the United States Navy's official submarine museum. The mission of the museum is to collect, preserve, interpret and present the history of the United States Submarine Force.

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Submarine Museum, with Harpoon Missile

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Submarine Force Museum

SLC (Slow Running Torpedo) used by Italy in WWII, carrying two men in scuba gear.

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Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) used by SEALs.

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Swimmer Delivery Vehicle, aft end

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David Bushnell and the Turtle, early sub from 1776.

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First stage of Polaris Missile carried by subs

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Polaris Missile, rocket nozzles

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Nautilus, first nuclear sub. Permanently moored at museum.

In July of 1951 Congress authorized construction of the world's first nuclear powered submarine. On December 12th of that year, the Navy Department announced that she would be the sixth ship of the fleet to bear the name Nautilus. Her keel was laid by President Harry S. Truman at the Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut on June 14, 1952.

After nearly 18 months of construction, Nautilus was launched on January 21, 1954. Eight months later, on September 30, 1954, Nautilus became the first commissioned nuclear powered ship in the United States Navy.

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Nautilus

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Two-man submarine used by the Japanese in WWII

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Propellers from USS Nautilus

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Sail from USS George Washington

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POLARIS (A-1): This was the first type of missile ever launched from a submerged submarine. It was a two-stage ballistic missile that had a range of 1,400 miles. (Unlike guided missiles, such as HARPOONs and TOMAHAWKs, which are guided throughout the course of their flight, ballistic missiles are guided in only the initial and final stages. During the middle portion of the flight they fly and fall according to the laws of gravity.)

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