The USS Nautilus was the world’s first operational nuclear-powered submarine; namesake of the submarine in Jules Verne’s Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and the fourth Navy ship to bear that name, she was launched on January 21, 1954, and broke records in how long she could remain submerged, how quickly she could travel underwater and how fast she could change depths.
Not long after the Soviets launched Sputnik and the space race, the Nautilus was the first vessel to complete a submerged journey underneath the North Pole in 1958, which greatly boosted America’s confidence. She is now a National Historic Landmark Museum and can be toured in Groton, Connecticut.
Personally I salute those who have the endurance to stay on a submarine without going bonkers. I prefer to see blue skies, have wide-open spaces, celebrate the first atomic submarine by enjoying dinner, and watch one of the many submarine movies available. Two of my personal favorites are… Operation Petticoat and The Hunt for Red October.
Menu
- Build your own Submarine Sandwiches
- Veggie torpedos
- Carrot, celery, cucumber, and pepper strips
- Dunk ‘em in Ranch Dressing
- Root Beer Floats
