''X-1'' (or SS X-1) was a

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

Midget Submarine designed under project SCB 65. Laid down on 8 June 1954, at Deer Park,

Long Island Long Island is a densely populated continental island in southeastern New York (state), New York state, extending into the Atlantic Ocean. It constitutes a significant share of the New York metropolitan area in both population and land are ...

, New York, by the Engine Division of Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation. Launched on 7 September 1955, at Oyster Bay, Long Island, by Jakobson Shipyard. Delivered to the Navy on 6 October at

New London, Connecticut New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States, located at the outlet of the Thames River (Connecticut), Thames River in New London County, Connecticut, which empties into Long Island Sound. The cit ...

and placed in service on 7 October 1955 with Lieutenant Kevin Hanlon in command.

Service history

''X-1'' served in a research capacity in rigorous and extensive tests to assist the Navy to evaluate its ability to defend harbors against very small submarines. Further tests conducted with the ''X-1'' helped to determine the offensive capabilities and limitations of this type of submersible."Navy Tests First Midget Submarine As Close In Weapon.
''Popular Mechanics'', February 1956, p. 124, bottom of page. ''X-1'' was originally powered by a

hydrogen peroxide Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the formula . In its pure form, it is a very pale blue liquid that is slightly more viscosity, viscous than Properties of water, water. It is used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent, and antiseptic, usua ...

/diesel engine and battery system, but an explosion of her hydrogen peroxide supply on 20 May 1957 resulted in the craft's modification to accept a diesel-electric drive. On 2 December 1957, ''X-1'' was taken out of service and deactivated at

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

. Towed to

Annapolis, Maryland Annapolis ( ) is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is the county seat of Anne Arundel County and its only incorporated city. Situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east ...

, in December 1960, ''X-1'' was reactivated and attached to Submarine Squadron 6 and based at the Small Craft Facility of the Severn River Command for experimental duties in

Chesapeake Bay The Chesapeake Bay ( ) is the largest estuary in the United States. The bay is located in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region and is primarily separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Delmarva Peninsula, including parts of the Ea ...

. In tests conducted under the auspices of the Naval Research Laboratory, ''X-1'' performed for scientists who observed her operations from a platform suspended beneath the Bay Bridge, to learn more about the properties and actions of sea water. Having been in active service through January 1973, ''X-1'' was again taken out of service on 16 February 1973. On 26 April 1973, she was transferred to the Naval Ship Research and Development Center, Annapolis. On 9 July 1974, she was slated for use as a historical exhibit. She was later displayed on the grounds of the Naval Station complex, North Severn, near Annapolis. In 2001, ''X-1'' was transferred to the Submarine Force Museum, in

Groton, Connecticut Groton ( ) is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States, located on the Thames River (Connecticut), Thames River. It is the home of General Dynamics Electric Boat, which is the major contractor for submarine work for the United St ...

, where she is on display before the main exhibit building. File:SS X-1 Midget Submarine.jpg, X-1 Midget Submarine on display at the Submarine Force Library and Museum File:SS X-1 Midget Submarine (rear).jpg, The stern section of X-1

Toy Version

The Lionel 3330 "Commando" submarine is based on the X-1's design.
LIONEL TRAINS 3330

References

External links

Submarine Force Museum
* {{DEFAULTSORT:X-1 (United States) Submarines of the United States Navy Midget submarines 1955 ships Museum ships in Connecticut Submarine museums in the United States