After ARRL we spent two nights in a nice campground in Mystic but it rained so much that we didn’t get out for any sightseeing. As we left (headed for the Boston area) we stopped at the Submarine Force Museum and USS Nautilus – at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, CT.
The museum had several models and many exhibits of different aspects of the history and technology of submarines from the Revolutionary War up to the present (or at least as close to the present as they can get without giving away secrets).
The model of the Turtle from the Revolutionary War is full sized (with a full size mannequin). The model of a WWII Gato class submarine (with windows into most of the compartments) is maybe 1/12th sized (I’m guessing based on the size of the model people in the various compartments). After watching a film and wandering the exhibits we headed outside to tour the USS Nautilus – the first nuclear powered submarine (built in the early 1950s).
The captain and officers had downright palatial quarters – I think about ten bunks for enlisted men were in about the same space as the captain’s state room! I’ve gotten used to cramped quarters (we rarely put the slide out on the RV) but a submarine takes cramped to the extreme. I’m proud to say that I didn’t trip or bang my head on this submarine tour. The rather large gyro used for navigation was similar to the one Charlie had as backup on his submarine. Mannequins demonstrating various activities almost always have a cup of coffee nearby (sitting in a cup holder ring attached to a vertical surface) – they do say that the coffee urn on a submarine is never empty!
The tour only covers about half the boat – as best I can tell the tour omits the reactor, engines and rear torpedo areas. The main areas were mentioned on the self-guided tour audio and other areas just had signs. It was fun hearing from Charlie about what was different and what was the same on his boat twenty years later.
Our path towards Boston took us through a corner of Rhode Island (probably all we’ll see of that tiny state) before crossing into Massachusetts – mostly all boring Interstate driving (on horrid roads). Amazingly in 45 miles of Rhode Island we passed four accidents – more than we’ve seen in four months of traveling almost every day! But there were a few fun sights along the way.
A lonely wind turbine, a picturesque cell phone tower, the smallest school bus and a clock being tossed off a building – this is how I’ll remember Rhode Island.
And check out the gas pump decoration in Massachusetts – I thought they like Democrats there! We actually got off the Interstate in Rhode Island to go to a gas station just over the state line – I was afraid I’d miss the welcoming sign but as soon as we got back on the Interstate it appeared.
For more pictures of the Submarine Force Museum click here!