Nov. 10, 2020

Passing of Vice Admiral John H. Nicholson, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral John Harris "Nick" Nicholson, U.S. Navy (Retired) on November 7, 2020 at age 96. Vice Adm. Nicholson enlisted in December 1942, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946 and served as a submarine officer until his retirement in 1980 as the Deputy Director, Joint Strategic Target

Aug. 10, 2018

The Naval History of Connecticut

Home of the U.S. Navy's first submarine base, Connecticut plays an important role in the history of the U.S. Navy. Built in 1868, Naval Submarine Base New London began as a storage depot and naval yard. In 1898, work began on the yard to build a coaling station to refuel ships in the New England area. The base barely escaped closure in the early

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,