Five Fun Facts from the USS Albacore Museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

In 1953, a submarine named Albacore left Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire, engineered with state-of-the-art features making her a far superior test platform than anything Tom Clancy could later dream up. Albacore was the first with the cylindrical hull that is now the hallmark design for submarines. Albacore was also the first to pioneer many details that now characterize the nuclear submarine fleet.

Amazingly enough, USS Albacore (AGSS 569) was the first boat built specifically to operate underwater. Albacore was the first sub capable of sustained progress while submerged. Her streamlined shape and high capacity silver-zinc battery allowed her to travel at 35 knots, compared to the 8 knots of her WWII predecessors. In 1966, she set the record as the world's fastest submarine at an underwater speed of nearly 40 miles per hour. Outfitted with a double counter-rotating set of propellers, she was the first submarine to adopt the signature single prop design.

On May 15, 1985, Albacore returned to Portsmouth and is now dry-docked in Albacore Park. Visitors can come aboard for audio tours that explain how Albacore works, as well as the work of the soldiers and officers.

Here are Five Fun Facts from the USS Albacore Museum:

First Vessel Built to Operate Submerged. Albacore was the first vessel specifically built to operate submerged. Horace L. Hunley invented the submarine in the 19th century, and the Confederate sub named for him was launched in 1863. Theodore Roosevelt submerged in a U.S. Navy submarine at Oyster Bay, Long Island, in 1905. The Silent Service made extraordinary contributions to winning World War II, with courageous action against the German navy on the North Atlantic and bold moves against the Japanese in the Pacific. But all of these submarines were built as surface vessels that could be submerged.

Albacore Built for Navy Research, Not Combat. While the submarine was built for Navy research and not for combat, 86 men lost their lives in service on Albacore. Approximately 300 men served aboard the Albacore and still gather for reunions. The site is maintained by Friends of the Albacore and the Port of Portsmouth Maritime Museum Association.

Submarine Memorial Park. The Submarine Memorial Park honors all who served on U.S. Navy submarines. Each year on Memorial Day, there is a memorial service for sailors “still on patrol.”

Moving the Albacore from Sea to Dry Land. Moving the Albacore to her current location was an engineering challenge of its own. Twenty-five years ago, a tug eased the 1,200-ton submarine from the shipyard through a dismantled railroad bridge and a cut made in the four-lane road that now passes the park. Thousands of people, including the secretary of the Navy, watched. It took from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. to get her close to her final position. The last few feet had to wait for the tide to float her in place.

National Historic Landmark. Not many people know that National Historic Landmarks are not always buildings. Portsmouth has seven National Historic Landmarks: six are buildings, and one is the submarine Albacore.

Photos top to bottom: Photos courtesy of Stephanie Seacord. The unique cylindrical hull shape for submarines was pioneered by Albacore. Submarine Memorial Park. View of Albacore with backdrop of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where the latest USS New Hampshire SSN 778 was commissioned.