Maritime, Collectible, Relic Souvenir, USS Nautilus Nuclear Submarine Launch, 1954

USS Nautilus Nuclear Submarine
Ship Launch Relic Souvenir
American: 1954
Steel inset with bronze medals
7 x 4 x 1.5 inches
Provenance: Barbara C. & John B. McPherson, Old Lyme, Connecticut
$725

Commemorative souvenir of the launch of the USS Nautilus (SSN-571), the world’s first operational nuclear-powered submarine. It is comprised of two identical two-sided circular bronze medals (medallions) embedded in a piece of very heavy steel, the latter presumably a leftover relic from the boat’s construction which relied heavily on special steel alloys. The medals are placed side by side to show both sides to identify the steel. (Identical medals from this series were also issued to commemorate the launch of the ship and presented at the launching ceremony in 1954.).  On the right of the steel block, the embedded medal shows a design with a missile across an atomic symbol and the words “U.S.S. Nautilus/ World’s First Nuclear Powered Vessel.” On the left, showing the other side of the medal, is an image of a nautilus shell on top of a missile and of a General Dynamics emblem are accompanied by the text, “Electric Boat Division/ Launched January 21, 1954/ Sponsored by/ Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower/ General Dynamics Corporation.” The steel is basically rectangular, but has one shaped curved section in one corner of unknown function or significance. The size and density of this object make it well suited as a desk paperweight — probably its intended practical use. The souvenir previously belonged to an executive of General Dynamics who was working there in the 1950s and likely received it as a special, perhaps unique, souvenir.

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