The Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, Connecticut, displays the evolution of the submarine and the proud heritage of the men in the “silent service.” Located just outside the Naval Submarine Base New London, the modem two-story facility houses the history and the official records of the U.S. submarine force. The museum’s holdings span 200 years of the growth and development of the submarine, from the American Revolution to today.
Above the entryway is a duplicate of the model submarine Nautilus, used by Walt Disney in the 1954 movie version of Jules Verne’s book 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. Although science fiction, Verne’s idea for cruising the depths without refueling would become nearly a reality in another Nautilus (SSN-571). Continuing the journey, a reproduction of David Bushnell’s Turtle displays the one-man submersible that made the first attempt at undersea warfare.
The U.S. Navy bought John P. Holland’s ninth submarine design, the Holland (SS-1), which was commissioned on 11 April 1900. She set the archetype for submarine propulsion for the next half century, shifting power from a gasoline engine to electricity from a large storage battery. She fired a self-propelled Whitehead torpedo, increasing her capacity as a weapon of war.
The development of the periscope allowed submarines to maintain their stealth underwater while observing targets above. The first periscope appeared in 1907. The museum’s attack center displays periscopes used in World War II fleet boats. The center also contains a torpedo data computer, which set the course for the torpedo based on the bearing, speed, and course information it was given. The World War II fleet boat control room exhibit displays the valves, handles, and indicators used to dive and return to the surface. With its dim lights and narration of the entire diving procedure, you feel as if you are actually on board a submarine.
The museum’s walls are decorated with memorabilia and stories of the evolution and performance of the silent service. These include unit plaques, pictures, and citations for seven Medal of Honor recipients. It is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who earned the right to wear dolphins.
The main two-story gallery houses a McCann rescue chamber, the predecessor of modern deep submergence rescue vehicles. A 50-foot cutaway of a submarine can be examined, as well as several types of torpedoes. A model of the Seawolf (SSN-21) pays tribute to today’s stealthiest submarine. Two mini theaters feature five-minute films on the history of the submarine force.
Located outside the building, on the Thames River, is the real Nautilus. Commissioned in January 1954, she was the first true submarine, capable of operating submerged for long periods of time because of her nuclear powerplant. She broke all submerged speed and distance records, and on 3 April 1958 her commanding officer announced to the crew, “For the world, Our Country, and the Navy—the North Pole.” The Nautilus had accomplished the theretofore impossible—reaching the geographic North Pole underwater.
The Secretary of the Interior designated the Nautilus a National Historic Landmark in 1982 for her pioneering role in the use of nuclear power. She is the only nuclear-powered submarine in the world on public display. The Nautilus is open for viewing in designated areas such as the wardroom, enlisted mess, control station, and the navigation and conning station.
Located around the grounds of the museum are examples of early submarines, the Nautilus’s propellers, the sail of the George Washington (SSBN-598), and a memorial wall to those submariners who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Submarine Force Library and Museum Association, established in 1972, has been instrumental in making past and present submariners aware of the role of the submarine in past, present, and future operations. It operates a gift shop selling publications, videos, and other merchandise.
The museum and library are open to the public throughout the year. The museum and the Nautilus are closed in early May and late October for routine maintenance. Admission and parking are free. For more information and hours of operation, call (800) 343-0079 or visit the museum’s web site at www.submarinemuseum.com.