|
Visited the Submarine Force Museum today - lots of photos!
My aunt took me to the Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton today. I haven't been since 2002 and wanted to take some photographs this time around. The Nautilus wasn't there last time I visited, and the Seehund has since been replaced by the USS X-1. The place is worth about a two hour visit (I would have spent three hours, but my aunt would have probably fallen asleep), and it's very busy on weekends - probably because it's free, air-conditioned, and has submarines!
The Nautilus's propellers: http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/520...ndon001.th.jpg http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1...ndon002.th.jpg The sail of the USS George Washington (SSBN-598): http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/924...ndon003.th.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7...ndon004.th.jpg http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/186...ndon006.th.jpg "41 For Freedom" Memorial: http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/167...ndon005.th.jpg From left to right, Nautilus propellers, Nautilus anchor, George Washington sail, replica Polaris missile, "41 For Freedom" memorial: http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/146...ndon007.th.jpg Missile silo hatch: http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/2...ndon008.th.jpg Swimmer Delivery Vehicle: http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/2...ndon011.th.jpg http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1...ndon013.th.jpg |
USS Holland (SS-1) versus USS Ohio (SSBN-726):
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/8...ndon009.th.jpg Italian World War II human torpedo: http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/2...ndon012.th.jpg USS X-1: http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/8...ndon014.th.jpg http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/449...ndon015.th.jpg Japanese midget submarine HA-8: http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7...ndon016.th.jpg http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/1...ndon017.th.jpg http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/8...ndon018.th.jpg http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/480...ndon019.th.jpg UGM-84 Harpoon missile: http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/1...ndon020.th.jpg The entrance lobby and Disney Nautilus replica: http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6...ndon021.th.jpg |
Sturgeon-class Ballast Control Panel:
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6574/newlondon022.th.jpg http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/669...ndon023.th.jpg http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1...ndon024.th.jpg http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/9...ndon025.th.jpg Sturgeon-class Ship Control Panel: http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/8...ndon026.th.jpg http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/2...ndon027.th.jpg USS Lafayette (SSBN-616) torpedo fire control station: http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2...ndon028.th.jpg http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/6...ndon030.th.jpg http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7329/newlondon031.th.jpg One of the periscopes in the "attack center." http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2...ndon036.th.jpg |
Some cool stuff there! Thanks for sharing.:rock:
|
A view from the same periscope:
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/4...ndon038.th.jpg The famous Torpedo Data Computer: http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/785...ndon032.th.jpg http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/2...ndon034.th.jpg http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/1...ndon035.th.jpg http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/3...ndon037.th.jpg USS Barb battle flag: http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/9...ndon039.th.jpg Submarine message buoy: http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/395...ndon040.th.jpg This elevator was designed specifically for John F. Kennedy's use when he visited the USS Thomas Edison (SSBN-610) in 1962: http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/131...ndon041.th.jpg The rescue bell, JFK elevator, messenger buoy, and diver's helmet seen from above: http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/4...ndon056.th.jpg The main exhibit hall, with a Polaris missile on the left and a 1:6th scale cutaway model of a Gato/Balao-class suspended overhead: http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/7...ndon043.th.jpg I took about 120 pictures in total, but it's getting late and I'll wrap this up tomorrow. |
Nice shots. Thanks for sharing them Subnuts.:up:
|
Can't wait to see this! Is it possible to look inside the midget sub?
|
Very cool :yeah: Visited the Pampanito last year, a visit to Submarine Force Museum would be a dream. :o
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
But I definitely loved the Pampanito, when we went in there was almost nobody inside, except for a half dozen tourists and I believe a former crewmember who was telling stories :) |
Nice pictures. Thanks for sharing.:DL
|
Cool pictures, tell us about the 'swimmer delivery system' and the 'human torpedo' thing.
|
Polaris missile:
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/197...ndon044.th.jpg Closeup of warning on second stage (reminds me of the explosive bolts warning on the EVA Pod in 2001: A Space Odyssey): http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8...ndon045.th.jpg 20mm Oerlikon cannon: http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5...ndon046.th.jpg http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/294...ndon047.th.jpg Tail end of Mk 48, front end of a SUBROC: http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/733...ndon048.th.jpg The new NR-1 exhibit: http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2...ndon049.th.jpg Replica of Bushnell's Turtle: http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/2...ndon050.th.jpg 1/6th scale cutaway fleet boat: http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/9...ndon054.th.jpg http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/838...ndon055.th.jpg http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/7...ndon057.th.jpg |
Tomahawk cruise missile:
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/4...ndon058.th.jpg Overhead view of the weapons display: http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/2...ndon059.th.jpg 1/40 scale 688(I) cutaway: http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/8...ndon061.th.jpg http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/8...ndon062.th.jpg Sonar console: http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7...ndon063.th.jpg Strategic Deterrence display: http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7...ndon064.th.jpg Dolphin display (yes, the museum staff does keep the plexiglass clean!): http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/7...ndon065.th.jpg Submarine insignia of the world: http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/879...ndon066.th.jpg |
Nautilus photos ahead!
I like this shot so much I'm showing it full size: http://i50.tinypic.com/sls6x2.jpg It was incredibly sunny in New London yesterday, which explains why it looks like an atomic bomb is going off is many of these photos: http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5...ndon067.th.jpg Looking dark and mysterious: http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/7...ndon068.th.jpg http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/5...ndon069.th.jpg Better like this? http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/2...ndon115.th.jpg More exteriors: http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/1...ndon116.th.jpg http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6...ndon117.th.jpg http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/5...ndon118.th.jpg http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/678...ndon119.th.jpg One of the first things you'll see when you go inside: http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/6...ndon114.th.jpg |
What kinda stuff do they have on the midget sub? I also can't wait to see the Holland sub.
|
The forward torpedo room:
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/1...ndon073.th.jpg http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8...ndon111.th.jpg http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/9...ndon112.th.jpg It's not very obvious in these shots, but Nautilus's torpedo room is a huge facility as far as submarines go. The compartment spans two decks in height, and in reality, she could carry up to 18 torpedo reloads, as opposed to the two shown on display. Oxygen charge/bleed station: http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8...ndon074.th.jpg http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1...ndon075.th.jpg Forward Head: http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/1...ndon076.th.jpg Officer's Pantry: http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/6...ndon077.th.jpg Officer's cabins: http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/1...ndon078.th.jpg http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/8...ndon079.th.jpg http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/2769/newlondon084.th.jpg |
Quote:
But hey, you'll spend the rest of the week bitching about how much everything costs, because you got to tour the world's first nuclear submarine for FREE! The Wardroom (you may have noticed by now that rank has it's privileges!): http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/467...ndon081.th.jpg Commanding Officer's Stateroom: http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/3...ndon082.th.jpg XO's Cabin: http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/219...ndon083.th.jpg Forward access hatch: http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/1...ndon080.th.jpg Watertight door (there are three of them you'll have to pass through, so I hope you're not "big boned!"): http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/1...ndon085.th.jpg Sail access hatch: http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/141...ndon086.th.jpg AN/WQC-2 panel: http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/7...ndon087.th.jpg Fuse panel: http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8...ndon088.th.jpg Periscopes in the attack center: http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/7...ndon090.th.jpg (Until the 1960s American submarines had a separate control room and attack center, which was roughly analogous with the "conning tower" on Fleet boats. More recent boats combine both functions into a single compartment.) The hatch to the reactor compartment (nothing to see here, move along...): http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/7...ndon091.th.jpg |
The ESM (Electronic System Measures) bay:
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5...ndon092.th.jpg The hydraulic manifold: http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/7...ndon095.th.jpg A bunch of other stuff (crappy quality courtesy of Plexiglas): http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6...ndon097.th.jpg High Pressure air gauges: http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/4...ndon098.th.jpg Helmsman and bow and stern planesmen: http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/962...ndon099.th.jpg General Announcing System control panel: http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7...ndon101.th.jpg Real cozy: http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1...ndon102.th.jpg Battery well: http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/6...ndon103.th.jpg Damage control equipment: http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7...ndon104.th.jpg |
I couldn't take any pictures of the crew's mess without getting those aluminum panels holding the Plexiglas together in the view.
The hatch to the store room: http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/9...ndon105.th.jpg The galley: http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/3...ndon106.th.jpg http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/354...ndon107.th.jpg Storage lockers: http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/8...ndon108.th.jpg Loudspeaker and battle lamp: http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/9...ndon109.th.jpg 12 enlisted men slept here: http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/6357/newlondon110.th.jpg (The Nautilus had a partial "third deck" from the torpedo room to reactor compartment with contained additional enlisted quarters, store rooms, and batteries. Bill Nichols could probably explain it better if he drops in on this thread.) EM log actuator: http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9...ndon113.th.jpg This final photo has a funny story and a word of warning to go along with it. I couldn't get a good "beauty shot" of the Nautilus (and you won't either, unless you're passing by it on a boat from the other side) so I went looking for a good vantage point to capture the entire boat. I start walking down the railroad that's adjacent the museum, and after about 100 feet, I realize that, one, I'm probably never gonna get a good shot of this thing, and two, if I keep going, I'm going to walk right onto a military base. Despite realizing that I'm doing something really stupid, I press on. I get to about this point: http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/1088/oopsi.jpg Take my photo, and turn around to see a very concerned looking Petty Officer 1st class standing next to my aunt with both of his hands on his hips, around where the railroad crosses the pier. We both exchange some nervous "sorrys" and "please watch where you're going next time," but I'm sure I'm on at least a half dozen terrorist watch lists by now. Seriously, is it too hard for the Navy to put up a "No Trespassing" sign? Had this been September 13, 2001, this probably would have been the last photo I'd ever taken: http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/8...ndon121.th.jpg (Actually, I think the guy went easy on me because I said "thank you, sir" when he handed me the audio wand. Be sure to say "thank you" as often as possible, unless you want the waitress to spit in your coffee.) |
| All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:10 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 1995- 2025 Subsim®
"Subsim" is a registered trademark, all rights reserved.