USS Nautilus SSN-571
The World's first Nuclear Submarine
"Start Spreading the News"
Oil on Canvas 20" x 30"
Troy White © 2018
Original painting SOLD
Oil on Canvas 20" x 30"
Troy White © 2018
Original painting SOLD
In late 2017 I accepted a commission for two paintings of the world's first operational nuclear submarine: the USS Nautilus, SSN-571. Having spent most of my live as an aviator and painting aviation subjects I welcomed this departure from the sky and the chance to create something a bit different.
The Nautilus was commissioned on 30 September 1954, on 17 January 1955 she pulled away from the dock and her skipper Commander Eugene P. Wilkinson transmitted the now famous message "Underway on nuclear power." In May The Nautilus travelled 1,200 nautical miles from New London Connecticut to San Juan Puerto Rico in less than ninety hours. It set a world record for the longest submerged cruise by a submarine and at the highest sustained speed ever recorded.
In August 1958 with Commander William R. Anderson, Nautilus became the first submarine to travel submerged from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic by passing directly under the North Pole.
The Nautilus was decommissioned on 3 March 1980 and in 1982 was declared to be a National Historic Monument.
In 1986 she went on display and was opened to the public at the The United States Navy Submarine Force Library and Museum at Groton Connecticut.
The Nautilus was commissioned on 30 September 1954, on 17 January 1955 she pulled away from the dock and her skipper Commander Eugene P. Wilkinson transmitted the now famous message "Underway on nuclear power." In May The Nautilus travelled 1,200 nautical miles from New London Connecticut to San Juan Puerto Rico in less than ninety hours. It set a world record for the longest submerged cruise by a submarine and at the highest sustained speed ever recorded.
In August 1958 with Commander William R. Anderson, Nautilus became the first submarine to travel submerged from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic by passing directly under the North Pole.
The Nautilus was decommissioned on 3 March 1980 and in 1982 was declared to be a National Historic Monument.
In 1986 she went on display and was opened to the public at the The United States Navy Submarine Force Library and Museum at Groton Connecticut.
Start Spreading the News
Open Edition Canvas Giclée Print Image size: 18"x12" The USS Nautilus SSN-571 entering New York Harbor in 1956. The USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the world's first nuclear powered submarine. It was launched on January 21, 1954 and represented a revolution in submarine technology. In August 1958 The Nautilus became the first vessel to traverse the North Pole by sea, passing under the Arctic ice cap.
$
120.00
"Crystal Blue Persuasion" Oil on Canvas 24" x 40" Troy White © 2018. Original painting SOLD
Construction of NAUTILUS was made possible by the successful development of a nuclear propulsion plant by a group of scientists and engineers at the Naval Reactors Branch of the Atomic Energy Commission, under the leadership of Captain Hyman G. Rickover, USN. In July of 1951, Congress authorised construction of the world's first nuclear powered submarine. On December 12th of that year, the Navy Department announced that she would be the sixth ship of the fleet to bear the name NAUTILUS. Her keel was laid by President Harry S. Truman at the Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut on June 14, 1952.
After nearly 18 months of construction, NAUTILUS was launched on January 21, 1954 with First Lady Mamie Eisenhower breaking the traditional bottle of champagne across NAUTILUS' bow as she slid down the ways into the Thames River. Eight months later, on September 30, 1954, NAUTILUS became the first commissioned nuclear powered ship in the United States Navy.
On the morning of January 17, 1955, at 11 am EST, NAUTILUS' first Commanding Officer, Commander Eugene P. Wilkinson, ordered all lines cast off and signalled the memorable and historic message, "Underway on Nuclear Power." Over the next several years, NAUTILUS shattered all submerged speed and distance records.
After nearly 18 months of construction, NAUTILUS was launched on January 21, 1954 with First Lady Mamie Eisenhower breaking the traditional bottle of champagne across NAUTILUS' bow as she slid down the ways into the Thames River. Eight months later, on September 30, 1954, NAUTILUS became the first commissioned nuclear powered ship in the United States Navy.
On the morning of January 17, 1955, at 11 am EST, NAUTILUS' first Commanding Officer, Commander Eugene P. Wilkinson, ordered all lines cast off and signalled the memorable and historic message, "Underway on Nuclear Power." Over the next several years, NAUTILUS shattered all submerged speed and distance records.
On July 23, 1958, NAUTILUS departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii under top secret orders to conduct "Operation Sunshine", the first crossing of the North Pole by a ship. At 11:15 pm on August 3, 1958, NAUTILUS' second Commanding Officer, Commander William R. Anderson, announced to his crew, "For the world, our country, and the Navy - the North Pole." With 116 men aboard, NAUTILUS had accomplished the "impossible", reaching the geographic North Pole - 90 degrees North.In May 1959, NAUTILUS entered Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine for her first complete overhaul - the first of any nuclear powered ship - and the replacement of her second fuel core. Upon completion of her overhaul in August 1960, NAUTILUS departed for a period of refresher training, then deployed to the Mediterranean Sea to become the first nuclear powered submarine assigned to the U.S. Sixth Fleet.
Crystal Blue Persuasion
Open Edition Canvas Giclée Print Image size: 14"x24" The USS Nautilus SSN-571 underway on the surface with only the sail visible above the water. The USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the world's first nuclear powered submarine. It was launched on January 21, 1954 and represented a revolution in submarine technology. In August 1958 The Nautilus became the first vessel to traverse the North Pole by sea, passing under the Arctic ice cap. The Nautilus was decommissioned on 3 March 1980 and in 1982 was declared to be a National Historic Monument.
$
170.00
Over the next six years, NAUTILUS participated in several fleet exercises while steaming over 200,000 miles. In the spring of 1966, she again entered the record books when she logged her 300,000th mile underway. During the following 12 years, NAUTILUS was involved in a variety of developmental testing programs while continuing to serve alongside many of the more modern nuclear powered submarines she had preceded.
In the spring of 1979, NAUTILUS set out from Groton, Connecticut on her final voyage. She reached Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California on May 26, 1979 - her last day underway. She was decommissioned on March 3, 1980 after a career spanning 25 years and over half a million miles steamed.
In recognition of her pioneering role in the practical use of nuclear power, NAUTILUS was designated a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior on May 20, 1982. Following an extensive historic ship conversion at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, NAUTILUS was towed to Groton, Connecticut arriving on July 6, 1985.
On April 11, 1986, eighty-six years to the day after the birth of the Submarine Force, Historic Ship NAUTILUS, joined by the Submarine Force Museum, opened to the public as the first and finest exhibit of its kind in the world, providing an exciting, visible link between yesterday's Submarine Force and the Submarine Force of tomorrow. Source: Submarine Force Museum
In the spring of 1979, NAUTILUS set out from Groton, Connecticut on her final voyage. She reached Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California on May 26, 1979 - her last day underway. She was decommissioned on March 3, 1980 after a career spanning 25 years and over half a million miles steamed.
In recognition of her pioneering role in the practical use of nuclear power, NAUTILUS was designated a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior on May 20, 1982. Following an extensive historic ship conversion at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, NAUTILUS was towed to Groton, Connecticut arriving on July 6, 1985.
On April 11, 1986, eighty-six years to the day after the birth of the Submarine Force, Historic Ship NAUTILUS, joined by the Submarine Force Museum, opened to the public as the first and finest exhibit of its kind in the world, providing an exciting, visible link between yesterday's Submarine Force and the Submarine Force of tomorrow. Source: Submarine Force Museum
