ninme

I wonder what Leif Ericson (of the first Atlantic Crossing (sort of)) would think if he could see us now.

RUN SILENT, RUN NUKE, by Peter Brookes

IMAGINE the thoughts going through the minds of the captain and crew of the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus, when it put to sea for the very first time — 50 years ago this morning.

Read the whole thing, but this should be pointed out:

Prior to Nautilus, submarines were powered by a dangerous combination of batteries (for submerged operations) and diesel engines (for surface operations and recharging the batteries.) Because of the noxious fumes, the diesel engines could only run while the subs were on (or near) the sea’s surface, making them vulnerable to the enemy.

Naval nuclear power, under the colorful leadership of Admiral Hyman Rickover, ended all that. Nautilus was able to remain submerged for weeks, even months without surfacing. The only thing limiting Nautilus’ undersea endurance was the crew’s sanity and food supply.

Curtsy: Bubblehead