The Submarine Force Museum in Groton CT is home to all things submarine, including working periscopes and the USS Nautilus. The Nautilus is submerged in water outside the museum and is open for tours.
The Story of the Submarine Force Museum’s USS Nautilus
In 1951, Congress authorized the construction of the Nautilus submarine. “Underway on nuclear power” are the famous words that were broadcasted by Commander Eugene P. Wilkinson when the first nuclear powered submarine made its maiden journey in 1955.
Due to its nuclear power, the Nautilus was able to stay under water for longer than its diesel-powered counterparts and break all speed and distance records that existed for submarines during the time.
One of the most well-known missions for the Nautilus was “Operation Sunshine” which was the seemingly impossible task of crossing the North Pole. With 116 men aboard, the Nautilus reached the North Pole on August 3, 1958.
Over the years, the Nautilus received some renovations and overhauls and traveled over 500,000 miles. After 25 years of faithful service, the Nautilus was decommissioned on May 3, 1980 and was soon named a National Historical Landmark. On April 11, 1986, the Submarine Force Museum opened the exhibit of the Nautilus that is still there today.
Other Exhibits at the Submarine Force Museum
The Submarine Force Museum features submarine exhibits for all ages. Many of the displays offer a hands on approach for a more in-depth learning experience. Before you even enter the museum, you will see mini submarine models with windows to peer inside them.
Upon entering the Submarine Force museum, you will find a complex diagram of the Nautilus with buttons on the bottom that align with areas of the ship. Pushing the buttons illuminates the corresponding room and provides a description.
Another interactive exhibit is a mock bridge of a submarine complete with all the buttons and levers that were necessary to control the ship. It is amazing to see how difficult it would have been to learn and understand all the controls.
In the next room of the Submarine Force Museum, you will find working periscopes that look out the top of the building. We enjoyed trying to find our car in the parking lot through the periscopes. They also offer a birds-eye view of the Nautilus which sits in the water just outside the museum.
In the largest room, are torpedoes that used to reside inside actual working submarines as well as some of the earlier submarines and plaques describing their histories and stories. On the second floor of this room is an elaborate diagram of a diesel-powered submarine. The diagram shows just how cramped the living quarters are and gives a glimpse of what is was like to be stationed on a submarine for months at a time.
Due to the claustrophobic, and grueling conditions, submariners were truly a tougher, and different breed.
Going Inside the Nautilus at the Submarine Force Museum
Just outside big glass doors at the end of the hallway, you will find the Nautilus proudly sitting in the water. The Nautilus is the crown jewel of the collection at the Submarine Force Museum, and it’s easy to see why.
The large underwater ship sits partially submerged connected to the dock for all to see and go inside. Once you enter the Nautilus, an employee will hand you a recorder device that works as a self-guided tour inside the ship. The Submarine Force Museum has done a great job of creating an informative, and immersive self-tour.
The recordings on the device correspond to numbers inside the submarine, providing stories, descriptions, and sound effects for areas inside the ship, such as the torpedo bay, mess hall, bridge, and more.
Inside the sub, you will see how small and cramped the living and working situations were for those who were stationed on board. The tiny bunks were shared by men who worked alternating schedules, and the mess hall was barely big enough for ten people to eat at once.
The higher ranking officers had larger bunks, or even very small private rooms. The toilets and showers are a claustrophobic’s nightmare! The biggest surprise to me inside the Nautilus at the Submarine Force Museum was how fragmented the working situation was.
Crew members did not all work together in the same room, they worked in separate rooms shoehorned where they could fit. The communications were all done through the ship’s intercom.
Visiting the Submarine Force Museum
The Submarine Force Museum operates on two schedules: summer and winter. The winter hours are 9 am- 4 pm and last from November 1 through April 30. The Summer schedule lasts the remainder of the year and hours are 9 am to 5 pm.
The Submarine Force Museum is closed all Tuesdays, and the Nautilus Submarine at the Submarine Force Museum is open 9am- 4pm on days the museum is open.
Admission and parking to the museum is free for all.
No reservations are required, although if you have a group of 25 or more, they recommend you give them a call two weeks or more prior to your visit so they can plan.
The Nautilus is not wheelchair accessible, and children must be carried or walk through as a stroller will not fit. The Nautilus is very cramped and small inside; it is not for claustrophobic people. Passing other visitors may be necessary and will be close quarters.
There are fast food dining options a few miles down the road. Picnic tables outside the Submarine Force Museum are open for use.
The Submarine Force does have a gift shop where you can purchase submarine themed items as well as nautical themed gifts.
