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REACTOR DEVELOPMENT
_
Submarine
Reactor
Miles traveled
Core life consumed
to date
type
Total
Submerged
(full power hours)
Nautilus ~
s2w
131,600
95,600
2,490 (second core)*
Skate
S3W
34,500
29,200
1,325
Seawolf
S2G
65,600
52,400
1,950
Nuclear Submarines Launched or in Trial Tests
Two submarines satisfactorily completed thelr initial builders’ trials during the quarter.
The Sargo, powered by an S3W reactor, was built at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, The
Swordfish, with an S4W reactor, built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, completed her initial
puilder’s trials satisfactorily and received preliminary acceptance by the Navy in September.
Two submarines were launched; the Seadragon, which is to be propelled by an S4Wreactor,
was launched August 16 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, while the Triton (S4G), which is to
use two S3G-type reactors, was launched on August 19, at Groton, Connecticut,
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Nuclear Ships Authorized
Congress authorized 11 nuclear submarines and a nuclear guided missile destroyer in the
Navy’s fiscal year 1959 shipbuilding program. This action brought the number of nuclearpowered ships authorized for the Navy to a total of 36-33 submarines and 3 surface ships.
‘The other 2 surface ships which were authorized previously are an aircraft carrier anda
guided missile cruiser.
Naval Reactor Projects Under Development by AEC
Submarine Reactors
Submarine Advanced Reactor (S3G/S4G). The Submarine Advanced Reactor (S3G) proto-
type achieved initial criticality at West Milton, New York. It was operated in high power ranges
for the first time on September 10, with Chairman McCone present. Two S3G-type reactors are
to be used in the Triton.
Nuclear Hunter-Killer Submarine Reactor (S1C).
Construction of site facilities continued
at Windsor, Connecticut. Installation of both steam generators in the SIC prototype hull was
completed, and installation of the propulsion plant auxiliary machinery continued.
High Speed Submarine Reactor (SSW).
The core was installed in the reactor of the Skip-
jack under construction by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation at
Groton, Connecticut. Precritical testing was begun.
Surface Ship Reactors
Large Ship Reactor (A1W).
The core was installed ir the first reactor pressure vessel of
the AlWplant at the Naval Reactor Facility, Idaho, during August.f
Destroyer Reactor (D1G).
Construction of the prototype hull of the DIG plant wes in
progress at West Milton, under contract with the Bethlehem Steel Company.
* The first core was removed on February 26, 1957, after 2,178 full power hours cf core life had been
consumed.
The first of the twe nuclear reactors achieved criticality on October 21.
DOE ARCHIVES
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