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Costing millions of dollars in 1969
Our iPhone Contestant Capt.Billy submitted this article on the restoration of the famed nuclear ship N/S Savannah. Here is a brief look at her story:
The U.S. Maritime Administration said Friday that it has awarded BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair a $4.1 million contract to put the weathered ship into dry dock for a long-awaited blasting and repainting.
It is the next step in the agency’s plan to eventually donate the famous maritime relic as a museum or public attraction.
“We’re thrilled to death,” said Erhard Koehler, the maritime agency’s senior technical adviser for the Savannah project. “We’re moving forward.”
Designed with the sleek lines of an oceangoing yacht, the 596-foot-long vessel was launched in 1959 as the world’s first nuclear-powered cargo ship. President Eisenhower had the ship built to promote the peaceful use of atomic power. Read More…
Some photos of the beautifully designed ship:
N/S Savannah Underway
A Look At Her Reactors
Interesting Facts
- She produced nearly $12,000,000 in revenue, real money back then.
- She sailed over 450,000 miles in her five years of merchant service (1965 to 1970).
- She required a crew of more than 100 mariners.
- She cost $46,900,000 ($18,600,000 for the ship, and $28,300,000) when built in 1959
- The Army considered using her as a power plant to be used during national emergencies.
- She is being reconditioned primarily due to post 9/11 security concerns.
Photos Of Her Today
Other Nuclear Merchant Ships
Russia’s 1988 Nuclear Cargo ship and now drillship N/S Sevorput
Japan’s 1969 built N/S Mutsu
Nuclear Icebreakers
Russia has built a number of modern nuclear icebreakers including the Yamal.
Links:
- Neal Elosge’s N/C Savannah Site
- 2006 Photos
- Nuclear Fuel Transport Ship Launched
- A Complete List of Nuclear Powered Ships
- Russia’s Nuclear Icebreakers
Captain John Konrad is co-founder of Unofficial Networks and Editor In Chief of this blog. He is a USCG licensed Master Mariner of Unlimited Tonnage and, since graduating from SUNY Maritime College, has sailed a variety of ships from ports around the world.
He currently lives in Morro Bay, California with his wife and two children.
Full Profile: John
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