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36-609: The Electric Boat Company (EB) established the museum in 1955 as the Submarine Library . EB donated it to the Navy in 1964, and the Navy moved it to its current location next to Naval Submarine Base New London . It received its official title in 1969. The "Connecticut Nautilus Committee" was formed in 1984 to raise funds for an improved museum, hoping to convince the Navy to donate the Nautilus . A new 14,000-square-foot (1,300 m) facility

72-436: Is the largest single shipbuilding contract in the service's history. The company builds the submarine along with Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding. The boats of Block IV Virginia s will cost less than Block III, as Electric Boat reduced the cost of the submarines by increasing efficiency in the construction process. The submarines of this type will build on the improvements to allow them to spend less time in

108-605: The "General Dynamics" name while the submarine-building operation reverted to the "Electric Boat" name. Electric Boat built the first nuclear submarine, USS  Nautilus , which was launched in January 1954, and the first ballistic missile submarine , USS  George Washington , in 1959. Submarines of the Ohio , Los Angeles , Seawolf , and Virginia classes were also constructed by Electric Boat. In 2002, EB conducted preservation work on Nautilus , preparing her for her berth at

144-730: The Centennial Celebration of the United States Submarine Force", according to the museum. The museum has 33,000 artifacts including the USS ; Nautilus , the first nuclear-powered submarine in the world. Nautilus was launched in 1954 and decommissioned in 1980. It traveled under the polar ice cap and reached the North Pole during the Cold War. Also at the museum is a replica of David Bushnell 's Turtle , built in 1775 and

180-482: The Navy was also the yard's insurer, liable to compensate the company for losses and other mishaps. The concept of reimbursing General Dynamics under these conditions was initially considered "preposterous," in the words of Secretary of the Navy John Lehman , but the eventual legal basis of General Dynamics' reimbursement claims to the Navy for the company's poor workmanship included insurance compensation. Veliotis

216-635: The North Fork of Long Island from 1899 to 1905, prompting the hamlet to claim to be the first submarine base in the United States. Except for the period from 15 June to 1 October 1901, which was passed training cadets at the Naval Torpedo Station , Newport, Rhode Island , Holland remained at Annapolis as a training submarine until 17 July 1905 when she was decommissioned. Holland finished her career in reserve at Norfolk, Virginia . Her name

252-515: The U.S. government for the sum of $ 150,000 on 11 April 1900. She was considered to be the first truly successful craft of her type. The United States Government soon ordered more submarines from Holland's company, which were to be known as the Plunger class . These became America's first fleet of underwater naval vessels. Holland VI was modified after her christening , and was renamed United States Submarine Torpedo Boat Holland (Submarine-1) when she

288-665: The US Navy Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, Connecticut where she now resides as a museum. Electric Boat's first submarine, Holland , was scrapped in 1932. From the mid-1970s to the present, EB has been one of only two submarine manufacturers in the United States, with the other being Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. In April 2014, EB was awarded a $ 17.8 billion contract with Naval Sea Systems Command for ten Block IV Virginia -class attack submarines. It

324-785: The United States Navy for more than 100 years. The company's main facilities are a shipyard in Groton, Connecticut , a hull-fabrication and outfitting facility in Quonset Point, Rhode Island , and a design and engineering facility in New London , Connecticut. The company was founded in 1899 by Isaac Rice as the Electric Boat Company to build John Philip Holland 's submersible ship designs, which were developed at Lewis Nixon 's Crescent Shipyard in Elizabeth, New Jersey . Holland VI

360-533: The bow (the dynamite gun's projectiles were called "aerial torpedoes"). A second dynamite gun in the stern was removed in 1900 to make room for an improved engine exhaust, prior to delivery to the Navy. She had both an internal combustion engine (specifically, a 4-stroke Otto gasoline engine of 45  bhp (34 kW)) for running on the surface and charging batteries, and an Electro Dynamic electric motor of 50 shp (37 kW) for submerged operation, with one shaft. A 66- cell Exide battery powered

396-622: The collection include notes and calculations by John Philip Holland for the Navy's first commissioned submarine, "one-of-a-kind artifacts from World War I and World War II", and the submarine library collections of Electric Boat Corporation and the Navy. Connecticut magazine called the museum "an absolute gem worth exploring" with the USS Nautilus as "the star attraction". Anna Mundow in Fodor's guide to Connecticut and Rhode Island asserts that "students of modern military history will be impressed" by

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432-455: The company built 74 submarines at the Groton plant, while Elco built nearly 400 PT boats , and Electric Boat ranked 77th among United States corporations in the value of World War II military production contracts. In 1952, Electric Boat was reorganized as General Dynamics Corporation under John Jay Hopkins . General Dynamics acquired Convair the following year, and the holding company assumed

468-697: The company designed submarines of the B, C, D, E, K, L, M, N, AA-1, O, R, and S classes. During the World War I era, the company and its subsidiaries (notably the Electric Launch Company, or Elco ) built 85 submarines via subcontractors and 722 submarine chasers for the US Navy, and 580 80-foot motor launches for the British Royal Navy. After the war, the US Navy did not order another submarine from Electric Boat until Cuttlefish in 1931. Cuttlefish

504-669: The delivery of several submarines being built at Electric Boat's shipyard. In some cases, the repairs resulted in practically dismantling and then rebuilding what had been a nearly completed submarine. The yard tried to pass the vast cost overruns directly on to the Navy, while Admiral Hyman G. Rickover demanded from Electric Boat's general manager P. Takis Veliotis that the yard make good on its "shoddy" workmanship. The Navy eventually settled with General Dynamics in 1981, paying out $ 634 million of $ 843 million in Los Angeles -class submarines cost-overrun and reconstruction claims. As it happened,

540-521: The early 20th century would exhibit, albeit in later, more advanced forms. There was a conning tower from which the boat and her weapons could be directed. Also, she had all the necessary ballast and trim tanks to make precise changes in depth and attitude underwater. Her crew was six men and maximum diving depth was 75 feet (23 m). For armament, she had a reloadable 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tube with three Whitehead Mark 2 torpedoes and an 8.425-inch (214.0 mm) pneumatic dynamite gun in

576-438: The electric motor when submerged. This allowed speeds of 6 knots (11 km/h; 6.9 mph) surfaced and 5.5 knots (10.2 km/h; 6.3 mph) submerged. Surfaced range was 200  nmi (370  km ; 230  mi ) at 6 kn (11 km/h; 6.9 mph), while submerged range was 30  nmi (56  km ; 35  mi ) at 5.5 kn (10.2 km/h; 6.3 mph). There is significant variation in references as to

612-404: The first submarine used in combat. Other exhibits include midget submarines from World War II, working periscopes, salvaged parts from the nuclear Submarine NR-1 , a submarine control room, models of submarines, and Submarine X-1, an experimental military submarine. The sail section from the USS  George Washington , the first nuclear powered ballistic missile sub, is on outdoor display near

648-399: The late 1950s. Three other yards ( Manitowoc , Mare Island , and Cramp ) produced submarines only during World War II. Several other yards ( New York Shipbuilding , Ingalls and Fore River Shipyard ) as well as Mare Island built submarines in the late 1950s through the early 1970s. Since 1974, only Electric Boat and Newport News have built submarines for the US Navy. During World War II,

684-456: The main entrance. The museum also has a library with around 20,000 documents and 30,000 photos related to the history of submarine development. The library also includes 6,000 books related to the field of submarine history, including a 1551 text on submarine retrieval, and an 1870 copy of Jules Verne 's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas with a model of the fictional Nautilus . Documents in

720-421: The museum. 41°23′23″N 72°05′21″W  /  41.38972°N 72.08917°W  / 41.38972; -72.08917 Electric Boat Company 41°20′40″N 72°04′46″W  /  41.344343°N 72.079526°W  / 41.344343; -72.079526 General Dynamics Electric Boat ( GDEB ) is a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation. It has been the primary builder of submarines for

756-603: The operation of other submarines being built for the Fleet. Holland proved valuable for experimental purposes in collecting data for submarines under construction or contemplation. Her 166 mi (267 km) surface run, from Annapolis to Norfolk, Virginia from 8–10 January 1901, provided useful data on her performance underway over an extended period. Holland (briefly in 1899, on trials) and five Plunger class Holland-type submarines were based in New Suffolk, New York on

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792-1220: The purely experimental Albacore  (AGSS-569) and Dolphin  (AGSS-555) . General Dynamics Electric Boat built at least one unit of every class of serially-produced US Navy submarines after 1931, excepting the Grayback and Barbel classes. EB built 1 of 2 total in the class 5 of 10 total in class 3 of 6 total in class 5 of 10 total in class 6 of 12 total in class , all diesel-electric 1 of 2 total in class 41 of 77 total in class , all diesel-electric 40 of 120 total in class , all diesel-electric 1 of 29 total in class 1 of 3 total in class 3 of 6 total in class Unique submarine 1 of 2 total in class Unique submarine Unique submarine 1 of 4 total in class 2 of 6 total in class Unique submarine 3 of 14 total in class Unique submarine 2 of 5 total in class 2 of 5 total in class 4 of 9 total in class 3 of 10 total in class 11 of 37 total in class 6 of 12 total in class Unique submarine Unique submarine 33 of 62 total in class 18 of 18 total in class 3 of 3 total in class USS Holland (SS-1) USS Holland (SS-1)

828-769: The rights to build them under licensing contracts through the company; these included the United Kingdom's Royal Navy, the Imperial Japanese Navy, the Imperial Russian Navy, and the Royal Netherlands Navy . From 1907 to 1925 Electric Boat designed submarines for the US Navy and subcontracted their construction to the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts and other shipyards. During this era,

864-566: The second was Intelligent Whale and the third was Plunger , an experimental submarine, built in 1895, which is not to be confused with USS Plunger (SS-2) . On 16 October 1900, in order to be kept serviceable throughout the winter, Holland left Newport under tow of the tug Leyden for Annapolis, Maryland , where she was used to train midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy , as well as officers and enlisted men ordered there to receive training vital in preparing for

900-529: The submarine a reality, each man complementing the other's contributions to the development of the modern submarine. John Holland was the inventor for US Patent 702,729 for the design of a submarine boat. Testing and training first took place at the Holland Torpedo Boat Station from 1899 to 1900. Important contributions were also made by Arthur L. Busch (or Du Busc), Crescent's superintendent. Holland VI included many features that submarines of

936-445: The system in place between 1895 and 1920. Most historians, including official Navy sources, have retroactively applied both the prefix USS and the designation SS-1 to avoid confusion. Holland was the first commissioned submarine in the US Navy and is the first of the unbroken line of submarines in the Navy. She was the fourth submarine to be owned by the Navy, however. The first submarine was Propeller (also known as Alligator ),

972-454: The vessel's horsepower and speed, for example, the Register of Ships of the U. S. Navy gives horsepower figures of 45  bhp (34 kW) surfaced and 75 shp (56 kW) submerged, with 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) surfaced and 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) submerged. Holland VI eventually proved her validity and worthiness as a warship and was ultimately purchased by

1008-517: The yard. In 2019 EB received a contract with Naval Sea Systems Command to begin procuring materials for the Block V variant of the Virginia -class. This upgrade brings the Virginia payload module, which enables Tomahawk missiles to be carried by the submarine. In the early 1980s, structural welding defects had been covered up by falsified inspection records, and this led to significant delays and expenses in

1044-535: Was commissioned by the US Navy on 12 October 1900, at Newport, Rhode Island , with Lieutenant Harry H. Caldwell in command. During her commissioned life in the USN, the Holland did not carry the hull designation SS-1. The designation system currently in use was placed into Naval Regulations on 17 July 1920. Thus, the Holland would have never been assigned SS-1. She would have been designated Submarine-1 or simply S-1 under

1080-538: Was built at former Navy Lieutenant Lewis Nixon's Crescent Shipyard of Elizabeth, New Jersey for John Holland's Holland Torpedo Boat Company, which became the Electric Boat company in 1899. The vessel was built under the supervision of John Philip Holland , who designed the vessel and her details. Holland ' s keel was laid at Nixon's Crescent Shipyard with both men present. The two men worked together using many of John Holland's proven concepts and patents to make

1116-460: Was built with funding from the state, individuals, and businesses, opening in 1986. In late 1997, the Committee started planning and raising funds for a 13,465-square-foot (1,250.9 m) addition to the museum building. Fund raising started the next year, and the construction project ran from 1998 to early 2000. The new addition was officially opened to the public on April 28, 2000 "in conjunction with

Submarine Force Library and Museum - Misplaced Pages Continue

1152-507: Was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 21 November 1910. This revolutionary submarine was sold as scrap to Henry A. Hitner & Sons of Philadelphia on 18 June 1913 for $ 100. Her purchaser was required to put up $ 5,000 bond as assurance that the submarine would be broken up and not used as a ship. About 1915, the hulk of the Holland , stripped of her external fittings, was sold to Peter J. Gibbons. As of October 1916, she

1188-559: Was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury under racketeering and fraud charges in 1983 for demanding $ 1.3 million in kickbacks from a subcontractor. He escaped into exile and a life of luxury in his native Greece, where he remained a fugitive from justice. This is a list of submarines built at Electric Boat's Groton plant and does not include earlier submarines built by other companies under contract to Electric Boat. General Dynamics Electric Boat built every unique US Navy submarine after 1931, excepting Halibut  (SSGN-587) and

1224-593: Was the United States Navy 's first submarine , although not its first underwater watercraft , which was the 1775 submersible Turtle . The boat was originally laid down as Holland VI at the Crescent Shipyard of Elizabeth, New Jersey for John Philip Holland 's Holland Torpedo Boat Company , and launched on 17 May 1897. She was acquired by the USN on 11 April 1900 and commissioned on 12 October 1900, Lieutenant H. H. Caldwell commanding. Holland

1260-487: Was the first submarine built at EB's plant in Groton, Connecticut which has been its primary submarine manufacturing facility ever since. EB was the lead yard for several classes of submarines ( Perch , Salmon , Sargo , Tambor , Gar , Mackerel and Gato ) prior to World War II. Starting in the early 1930s, EB was one of only two major US submarine manufacturers (the other being the Portsmouth Navy Yard ) until

1296-520: Was the first submarine that this shipyard built, which became USS  Holland when it was commissioned into the United States Navy on April 11, 1900—the first submarine to be officially commissioned. The success of Holland VI created a demand for follow-up models (A class or Plunger class ) that began with the prototype submersible Fulton built at Electric Boat. Some foreign navies were interested in Holland's latest submarine designs, and so purchased

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