Sept. 23, 2020

USS Thresher - What We Learned From Loss

The tragic loss of USS Thresher remains a pivotal moment in U.S. submarine operations, safety and culture.USS Thresher (SSN 593) got underway with 129 crew and shipyard personnel aboard for her post availability sea trials from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on April 9th, 1963, accompanied by the Submarine Rescue Ship Skylark (ASR-20). The first day of

July 3, 2019

Remembering Capt. Pete Tzomes

A note from the editor: Capt. C.A. 'Pete' Tzomes - the first African American to command a nuclear-powered submarine - died at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, June 13. He was 74. He was the first of the "Centennial Seven," who were the only seven African American men to command submarines during the first 100 years of the

March 28, 2017

Leaders of the Deep: Top WWII Submariners and their Submarines

World War II saw great advancement in U.S. submarine technology and tactics as well as impressive leadership. Unfortunately, battle success stories were often kept from the public due to the necessarily stealthy nature of the service. However, the Joint Army-Navy Assessment Committee (JANAC) and surviving WWII submariners have recognized a few top

Oct. 21, 2016

Torpedoman 2nd Class Henry Breault

Editor's note: The following blog first appeared on the Submarine Force Library & Museum website. Long before seven submariners received the Medal of Honor in World War II for their the legendary bravery, an enlisted man, Torpedoman 2nd Class Henry Breault, distinguished himself as a hero of the Submarine Force. He is the only enlisted submariner

Aug. 1, 2016

Preserving Peace with Strategic Deterrence

Imagine working for years to design and build something you hope fervently never to use. The U.S. Navy does just that with the nuclear submarine-launched ballistic missiles that form the foundation of the Navy's strategic deterrence program. Deterrence strategy aims to prevent a possible nuclear attack by demonstrating the ability to retaliate. To

May 2, 2016

USS California's Silent History

Silentium est Aureum, Latin for "silence is golden," is a befitting motto for the stealthy USS California VII (SSN 781), the Virginia-class, next-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine named in honor of the people of the Golden State of California. The ship's crest, a grizzly bear, signifies strength and pays homage to the people of

Oct. 20, 2015

Navy's Strength Beneath the Sea - An Enduring Evolution

Submarines have lurked beneath the vast world waters for as long as the U.S. Navy's 240-year existence. Albeit a mystical notion to some in the beginning, submarines are now capable of conducting a wide variety of missions including anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, land attack, intelligence gathering, mine reconnaissance, supporting special

Sept. 30, 2014

USS Nautilus Plankowner Shares Experience Working on Boat, with Rickover

Henry Nardone Sr. was a "fresh-caught" lieutenant junior grade when he became a project manager on USS Nautilus. Today, at 92 "and counting," Nardone attended the 60th anniversary of the commissioning of the first nuclear-powered submarine at the Submarine Forces Museum and Library in Groton, Ct. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class

Sept. 30, 2014

USS Nautilus and the U.S. Navy Get Underway on Nuclear Power

For the cost of a laptop today, the Navy's nuclear propulsion program began 77 years ago. It could only have been a Navy physicist who upon observing the energy created by the splitting of uranium atoms, would also wonder if that could be used for propulsion at sea. It was in 1939 when Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) scientists met to determine if

Nov. 24, 2013

Periscope photography by submarines was vital for Battle of Tarawa

This photo shows USS Nautilus (SS-168) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, Calif., April 15,1942, following modernization. Note her very heavy deck armament of two 6"/53 guns; also embrasure in her upper hull side, just in front of the forward gun, for newly-installed topside torpedo tubes. At least two torpedoes are on deck above this location,