[timmyg00]

I'm sorry to hear that this free visit to a piece of history did not meet with your expectations, whatever they were... Seriously, what are you expecting for a free museum - one that depends on donations and, to a lesser extent, earnings from the museum store. In my opinion, you can't beat what you get for the price, and if you really poke around, you get a lot, and can learn a lot.

Originally Posted by mike_espo

There is nothing there which cannot be read in an already published book.

Perhaps, but you got to see it firsthand, instead of reading about it, or even seeing it on TV - didn't you?

Originally Posted by mike_espo

I would have figured after 15+years since the cold war, that some new info would be on display.

I was frankly shocked at the Nautilus. The ships been decommisioned for 25years and still cannot get a look at the reactor or the engineering spaces. I mentioned this to one of the CPOs on duty and they said: classified!! :rotfl: Come on! the boat is noisier than my grandmas rocking chair and could only do 18knots!!!!! A peek at a 50 year old reactor is not a threat to national security!

Many things stay classified much longer than 15 years. Many things from the Cold War era still are classified, and probably for good reason. Somebody obviously thinks there's a good reason to keep the engineering spaces classified. Perhaps sharing nuclear reactor technology, even supposedly "antiquated" technology, is not something the Navy is willing to do.

Perhaps they also keep those spaces off-limits due to safety concerns - exposed machinery has a way of attracting and biting unwary hands.

Furthermore, your claim that the ship could only do 18 knots is in error. It could do at least 23 knots submerged, which was pretty hot for its day, and also considering it did not have the hydrodynamic hull form that most modern submarines have.

Originally Posted by mike_espo

I have been in a number of diesel-electric boats; since I live in Chicago, I have visited the U505 often. You can touch the instruments, and get an overall great experience.
The nautilus exibit is lousy. Everything is behind glass with cheezy
dummies for crewmembers.

That's all well and good, but the more people (especially kids) that get their grubby paws on the controls, instruments and machinery, the more money that has to be spent on maintenance and upkeep, which is money that most museums like the Submarine Force Museum would rather use for exhibit upkeep, and to stay afloat (pun intended). Besides, what do you get out of flipping a bunch of deactivated switches, or turning valves that no longer function?

Another reason that much of the boat is protected is that there's a lot of stuff of historical significance in there that they would obviously like to keep in pristine condition. You still get to see it up close, you just can't touch it. Many people would be pretty happy with that.

Additionally, part of the reason that much of that stuff is behind plexiglass and not accessible to public fingers is for safety. Can you imagine the lawsuit resulting from some kid getting his hand crushed - or worse - in a piece of exposed machinery?

You're obviously entitled to your opinion, but I've been there several times, and I sure don't share it...

TG