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Events on Monday 17 January 1955 1
1955USS Nautilus gets underway on nuclear powerWorld's first nuclear-powered submarine begins operational serviceThe USS Nautilus signaled "Underway on nuclear power" as it left port in Groton, Connecticut, becoming the world's first vessel to operate under nuclear propulsion. The submarine could remain submerged far longer than any diesel-electric predecessor. Its success launched the era of nuclear-powered naval vessels.