MSPE Enjoys a Private Tour at Naval Submarine Base in Groton CT
Photo of submarine interior, from Submarine Force Museum at the Submarine Base in Groton, CT
On September 5, 2013 MSPE members, non-members, and their guests enjoyed a specially-arranged Escorted Tour of the Submarine Training School at New London Naval Submarine Base, Groton, CT. The tour was nearly sold-out, as it was limited to 16 participants and 14 attended, despite a short lead-time for event promotion.
Prior to the tour, participants were encouraged to arrive early and tour the Submarine Force Museum/USS Nautilus (www.ussnautilus.org) on their own. A highlight of the tour was the surface navigation simulator, which provides a 360 degree view of the ocean as seen from the sail.
The training instructor can change the speed, waves, winds and traffic to simulate for officers how it feels to pilot a submarine on the surface. Further, attendees were shown the self-contained individual escape suits and a 37-foot diving pool, where they learned about emergency procedures for stopping leaks.
Attendees remarked that the tour taught them a great deal about life in the silent service, and that the knowledgeable tour guides made every effort to ensure a well-executed, information-rich tour. MSPE thanks all base personnel for their service and accommodation, and looks forward to returning for a future tour. Understandably, photos of the tour were not allowed due to base security protocols.
ABOUT THE SUBMARINE FORCE MUSEUM:
The Submarine Force Museum, located on the Thames River in Groton, Connecticut, maintains the world’s finest collection of submarine artifacts. It is the only submarine museum operated by the United States Navy, and as such is the primary repository for artifacts, documents and photographs relating to U.S. Submarine Force history. The museum traces the development of the “Silent Service” from David Bushnell’s Turtle, used in the Revolutionary War, to the Ohio and Virginia class submarines.
Originally established as “The Submarine Library” by Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in 1955, the Submarine Force Library and Museum soon gained respect for its archival and research value. In April 1964, the entire collection was donated to the Navy and relocated to the Naval Submarine Base, New London, Groton, Connecticut. The name “Submarine Force Library and Museum” was officially adopted in 1969.
The museum’s collections include more than 33,000 artifacts, 20,000 significant documents and 30,000 photographs. With so many holdings, the displays change frequently and a return visit will be a new experience. The 6,000 volume reference and research library is a world-renowned collection relative to the history of U.S. submarines and is open to anyone looking for information on submarines or submarine history.