The USS Nautilus was commissioned as the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, fundamentally changing the landscape of naval warfare. On the banks of the Thames River in Groton, Connecticut, the vessel was launched by Mamie Eisenhower, who performed the traditional act of christening the submarine by breaking a bottle of champagne against its hull. This moment highlighted the United States' investment in nuclear technology and its role in maintaining maritime superiority during the tense years of the Cold War. With a displacement of around 3,180 tons and a length of 362 feet, the Nautilus was engineered to operate at depths and for durations that conventional diesel-electric submarines could not manage. The development of the Nautilus was a response to advancements in submarine technology by the Soviet Union, highlighting the intense rivalry in military capabilities during this period. Following its launch, the Nautilus underwent extensive testing and was finally commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1955. Its operational success paved the way for the design and construction of a new class of submarines that would dominate the seas for decades. The Nautilus embarked on a historic journey in 1958, becoming the first vessel to travel beneath the polar ice cap, marking a significant achievement in exploration and submarine capabilities.