''X-1'' (or SS X-1) was one of the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

's only

Midget Submarines A midget submarine (also called a mini submarine) is any submarine under 150 tons, typically operated by a crew of one or two but sometimes up to six or nine, with little or no on-board living accommodation. They normally work with mother ships, ...

(but see the

NR-1 Deep Submergence Craft Deep Submergence Vessel ''NR-1'' was a unique United States Navy (USN) nuclear-powered ocean engineering and research submarine, built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics at Groton, Connecticut. ''NR-1'' was launched on 25 January ...

). She was designed under project SCB 65; laid down on 8 June 1954, at Deer Park, Long Island, New York, by the Engine Division of

Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation Fairchild was an American aircraft and aerospace manufacturer, aerospace manufacturing company based at various times in Farmingdale, New York; Hagerstown, Maryland; and San Antonio, Texas. History Early aircraft The company was founded by ...

; 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 mouth of the Thames River in New London County, Connecticut. It was one of the world's three busiest whaling ports for several decade ...

, 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 viscous than water. It is used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent, and antiseptic, usually as a dilute solution (3%� ...

/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, often called Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, largest city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the List of United States cities by population, sixth-largest city i ...

. Towed to Annapolis, Maryland, 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 region and is primarily separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Delmarva Peninsula (including the parts: the Eastern Shore of Maryland / ...

. In tests conducted under the auspices of the

Naval Research Laboratory The United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is the corporate research laboratory for the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. It was founded in 1923 and conducts basic scientific research, applied research, technological ...

, ''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; and 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, where she is on display in front of the main exhibit building. File:SS X-1 Midget Submarine.jpg, X-1 Midget Submarine on display at the

Submarine Force Library and Museum The United States Navy Submarine Force Library and Museum is located on the Thames River in Groton, Connecticut. It is the only submarine museum managed exclusively by the Naval History & Heritage Command division of the Navy, and this makes it a ...

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