USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the world's first nuclear-powered submarine and entered service in 1954. Named for the fictional submarine in Jules Verne's classic Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea as well as several previous US Navy vessels, Nautilus broke new ground in submarine design and propulsion. Capable of previously unheard of submerged speeds and duration, it quickly shattered several performance records.
Due to its enhanced capabilities over its diesel-powered predecessors, Nautilus famously traveled to several locales, such as the North Pole, that had not been previously accessible by ship. Additionally, during 24-year career it served as a test platform for future submarine designs and technologies.
