Conning Towers-Nautilus Park in Groton in New London County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

USS X-1 (SSX-1)

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 14, 2022

1. USS X-1 (SSX-1) Marker

Inscription. USS X-1 (SSX-1) USS X-1 was the first "midget" submarine built for the U.S. Navy. Designed to penetrate enemy harbors and conduct offensive operations against moored ships and support facilities, her principal armament consisted of swimmer delivered limpet mines. A lock-out capability was provided for submerged launch and recovery of underwater demolition teams. Provision could also be made to deliver a single large XT-20A mine.

X-1 was initially designed by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a Diesel-battery craft. Later, the design was turned over to Fairchild Engine and Aircraft Corporation. There the boat was constructed and placed in service with a partial closed cycle Diesel propulsion system using Hydrogen Peroxide for submerged operations.

Technical problems with the propulsion system culminated in an explosion in the Hydrogen Peroxide storage cell in May 1957. This led to removal of the Peroxide systems. The boat returned to service and completed her useful life as a Diesel-electric submarine conducting oceanographic research for the Naval Research Laboratory.

Specifications:
Length: 50 feet (54 feet with the XT-20A mine)
Beam: 7 feet
Submerged displacement: 36 tons
Design test depth: 200 feet
Speed: 5 knots surfaced and 6 knots submerged
Maximum range (submerged)

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

:185 nautical miles at 6 knots
In service: October 1955 - December 1957
November 1960 - February 1973

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1973.

Location. 41° 23.257′ N, 72° 5.238′ W. Marker is in Groton, Connecticut, in New London County. It is in Conning Towers-Nautilus Park. Marker can be reached from Crystal Lake Road west of Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west. Located at the Submarine Force Library & Museum at the Naval Submarine Base New London. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Crystal Lake Road, Groton CT 06340, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) (a few steps from this marker); Japanese Type A (a few steps from this marker); Missions NR-1 (a few steps from this marker); Submarine NR-1 (a few steps from this marker); UGM-84 Harpoon (within shouting distance of this marker); Sonalysts Submariners (within shouting distance of this marker); Naval Submarine Base New London (within shouting distance of this marker); USS George Washington (SSBN 598) Sail (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Groton.

Also see . . .
1. USS X-1 (Wikipedia). (Submitted on September 24, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

USS X-1 (SSX-1) Submarine image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 14, 2022

2. USS X-1 (SSX-1) Submarine

2. US Navy: Submarine Force Museum. (Submitted on September 24, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
3. Submarine Force Library and Museum (Wikipedia). (Submitted on September 24, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 14, 2022

3. USS X-1 (SSX-1) Submarine

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 14, 2022

4. USS X-1 (SSX-1) Submarine

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 162 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 24, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.