The World's First Nuclear Submarine Was Launched 60 Years Ago

Launched 60 years ago today, the USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. Its atomic fuel source gave for the U.S Navy a dramatic increase in both range and operational flexibility. A few years later, the USS Nautilus achieved another historical first: she was the first vessel to complete a submerged transit to the North Pole, on 3 August 1958.