After shattering the traditional bottle of champagne across the bow of the U.S.S. Nautilus, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower and others gathered at the Electric Boat Yard of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on January 21, 1954, watched as the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine slipped into the Thames River. The submarine became the first commissioned nuclear-power ship in the U.S. Navy on September 30, 1954. The Nautilus went on to log a record number of hours and shatter many records. The most momentous of her feats was a four-day trip in 1958 when the Nautilus traveled submerged 1,830 miles under the Arctic polar ice cap.
Official Program by General Dynamics Corp., for the launching of the U.S.S. Nautilus, January 21, 1954 [Arthur L. Minnich Papers, Box 16, General Dynamics Corporation; NAID #7542679]
"Notes on Talk with Commander Robert Anderson, USN, Skipper of the Nautilus," July 2, 1958 [James Hagerty Papers, Box 7, Nautilus; NAID #12006944]
Letter, W.R. Anderson, Commander of the U.S.S. Nautilus, to Mamie Eisenhower, August 3, 1958 [Mamie Eisenhower Papers, 1961-1962 Personal Correspondence Series, Box 2, Anderson Commander W.R.; NAID #12008669]
Telegram, Commander Anderson to Rear Admiral Rickover, announcing completion of mission, August 8, 1958 [Beach and Aurand Records, Box 24, U.S.S. Nautlius (11); NAID #12008498]
Press Releases, presentation of awards from President Eisenhower to Commander Anderson and the U.S.S. Nautilus crew, August 8, 1958 [James Hagerty Papers, Box 7, Nautilus; NAID #12006950]
Press Release, letter from Commander Anderson to President, August 8, 1958 [Beach and Aurand Records, Box 24, U.S.S. Nautilus (11); NAID #12008506]
Press Release from President Charles de Gaulle, France, to President Eisenhower re U.S.S. Nautilus voyage, August 11, 1958 [Beach and Aurand Records, Box 24, U.S.S. Nautilus (12); NAID #12008509]
Biographical sketch, Commander William R. Anderson, U.S. Navy, August 17, 1957 [James Hagerty Papers, Box 7, Nautilus; NAID #12006952]
Press release regarding communications between German Chancellor Adenauer and President Eisenhower concerning the U.S.S. Nautilus, August 18, 1958 [Beach and Aurand Records, Box 24, U.S.S. Nautilus (12); NAID #12008520]
Press release regarding communications between President Fanfani of Italy and President Eisenhower concerning the U.S.S. Nautilus, August 18, 1958 [Beach and Aurand Records, Box 24, U.S.S. Nautilus (12); NAID #12008533]
Report, "The Facts on the First Transpolar Voyage from Pacific to Atlantic - USS NAUTILUS" [James Hagerty Papers, Box 7, Nautilus; NAID #12006956]
News Conference, Commander W.R. Anderson, U.S.S. Nautilus and White House Press Secretary, James Hagerty, August 8, 1958 [James Hagerty Papers, Box 52, July-September 1958 (2); NAID #12008435]
U.S.S. Nautilus Transpolar Cruise Schedule [James Hagerty Papers, Box 7, Nautilus; NAID #12006957]
Map of the U.S.S. Nautilus voyage under the polar ice pack [James Hagerty Papers, Box 7, Nautilus; NAID #12006958]
Suggested Reading:
Nautilus 90 North by William R. Anderson and Clay Blair