U.S.S. Nautilus

Nautilus, U.S.S., first nuclear-powered submarine, launched Jan. 1955. It was named for one of the first successful submarines (1800–01), invented by Robert Fulton. Capable of submerged speed of over 20 knots, the Nautilus made the first transpolar voyage beneath the North Pole on Aug. 3, 1958. It measured 323 ft (98 m) in length and had a crew of over 100.