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THE NUCLEAR NAVY
1954 (Jan 21) - PCU NAUTILUS (SSN-571) launched at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT; sponsored by Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower. After nearly 18 months of construction, NAUTILUS was launched with First Lady Mamie
Eisenhower  breaking the traditional bottle of champagne across
NAUTILUS' bow as she slid down the ways into the Thames River.
January 21, 1954 - World's first nuclear powered vessel, NAUTILUS (SSN 571) is launched at ceremonies at General Dynamics Corporation's Electric Boat Division shipyard, Groton, Connecticut. Christened by Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower with nearly 30,000 Navy and civilian guests looking on.
1955 (Jan 17) - Commander Dennis Wilkinson, aboard USS NAUTILUS (SSN-571), sent the historic message, "Underway on nuclear power" signaling a new era in both submarine warfare and maritime propulsion. The submarine's trials over the next few weeks were highly successful, including a record submerged run of 1,382 nautical miles from New London, Connecticut to San Juan, Puerto R ico, in 90 hours - an average of 15.3 knots on her shakedown cruise. This was the fastest submerged transit yet undertaken by a submarine, and at the highest sustained submerged speed ever recorded for a period of over one hour's duration.
January 17, 1955 - This composite photo shows NAUTILUS (SSN 571) backing away from its pier for her first sea trial. Superimposed is the famous dispatch "Underway on Nuclear Power..." 18 hours after returning, NAUTILUS was underway for her second trial during which she made her first test dive on January 20, 1955.
1956 (Jan 10) - First Nuclear Power School established at Naval Submarine Base New London. The first class consisted of 14 enlisted students and six officers and nearly that many instructors, many of  whom were former crew members of USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571). Prior to the school opening, sailors entering the nuclear fleet received their training at two Atomic Energy Commission establishments under the supervision of civilians.
1958 (Jan 11) - the first Fleet Ballistic Missile test-vehicle flight was conducted at Point Magu, CA. This same month, the Navy responded to the Defense Secretary's authorized acceleration of the FBM  program to achieve completion of the first Polaris-submarine weapon system in 1960, by proposing that the program be further accelerated and augmented. Probably the most technically innovative program in history, Polaris integrated solid-propellant, inertially-guided intermediate range ballistic missiles with nuclear submarines that could remain submerged for months at a time. All of these were new technologies, but the first ship was underway only three years after go-ahead.
1959 (Jan 9) - PCU HALIBUT (SSGN-587) launched at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA; sponsored by Mrs. Chet Holifield, wife of Congressman Holifield of California. HALIBUT was the first ship of the  United States Navy to combine the advantages of nuclear propulsion and the capability to carry, launch, and guide missiles.
January 9, 1959 - HALIBUT (SSGN 587) is launched at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. 350 feet in length she displaced approximately 3,555 tons. Although primarily a Regulus II design, she was able to carry any other missile of equal or lesser size and weight. The propulsion plant is an improved NAUTILUS-type.
1960 (Jan 4) - PCU HALIBUT (SSGN-587) commissioned USS HALIBUT (SSGN-587) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA; Lt. Comdr. Walter Dedrick commanding. She was the first and only nuclear powered, Regulus guided missile submarine. She was also the first submarine to carry the Ships Inertial Navigation System (SINS). After commissioning, HALIBUT took her place in the guided missile submarine fleet. A Regulus missile fired on 25 March 1960 was the first missile successfully launched and guided from a nuclear powered vessel. Subsequently, HALIBUT's missions required seven deterrent deployments to the western pacific and the test launching of thirty-two Regulus missiles. With the advent of the POLARIS missile, the Regulus missile program was ended and HALIBUT entered Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in 1965 for a major overhaul, conversion, and reclassification from SSGN to SSN.
1961 (Jan 21) - USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (SSBN-598) arrived in New London, CT after her first patrol. She and the BLUE crew had been gone 67 days and had set a new record for submerged endurance of 66 days, 10 hours. She came alongside the tender  PROTEUS which was to complete her first FBM submarine upkeep in the stateside port. She departed on her next patrol 14 February. After the patrol GEORGE WASHINGTONentered Holy Loch Scotland, 25 April 1961. Through 1964 she continued to conduct classified deterrent patrols from that port, alternating her two crews. An incredible four years after her initial departure from Groton she put in to refuel, having cruised some 100,000 miles guarding the seas for America. Her powerful missiles were recognized everywhere as an important factor in the maintenance of peace and freedom throughout the world.
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