Probably the dumbest thing ever built. Stupid boat, stupid idea, and now its an environment disaster.

Not nearly as much of an environmental disaster as all the commercial nuclear plants scattered throughout the world, huh?

Brilliant idea... to develop an energy source with no conceivable long term plan for disposal of waste.

Not that this is the first time we've been so stupid. Look at all the mercury-laced coal waste stored in dubious places.

We humans are very smart... about short term gains.

:)

So how does it, um... how does it work?

Does it make steam to run turbines? That means expensive, massive reduction gearing. And lousy speed control. Ugh.

Electric propulsion works so well for ships, but that would add considerable complexity...

The reactor primary coolant loop (pressurized water, about 1700 psi) is used to generate steam, which is used to run a turbine, which has a reduction gear to drive the screw. There are actually two turbines, a high pressure and then a low pressure. Then there are two turbine generators for electricity. And last but not least, there is a seperate "astern" turbine to go backwards.

There are also several diesel generators, and an electric motor which can drive the screw. It could make 6 knots on the electric motor (21 on the reactor).

Turbo-electric is definately the way to do it now a days, but the Savannah was launched in 1960, 57 years ago. The reactor controls are vacuum tube.

Ah, yes, those darned turbines make everything so complex :/ I hadn't even thought about backing. This seems like a classic example of government trying to solve problems by over-engineering.

The railroads also tried turbines, steam and fuel-fired. Not so successful, huh? :) Now they seem to be working out the bugs with very small ones... perhaps they will make a comeback. I hope not: there are few things more viscerally unexciting than a turbine!

There's no reason Savannah couldn't have had electric propulsion. Steel mills were controlling massive electric motors in rolling mills long before Savannah was built, using nothing more than contactors, MG sets, saturable reactors, "amplidynes", etc. By 1960 the railroad industry had proven the effectiveness of electric propulsion.

Being a history nerd, I'm more familiar with the WW1 and WW2 era subs. This thing looks open and full of space compared to the others. Still wouldn't enjoy being at sea in one. My cousin was a submariner back in the late 80s early 90s. The only thing he ever said was that it was incredibly boring so he and his shipmates made up Peewee Herman torture jokes to pass the time.

This is not a sub. It is a hero! Er, no, I mean it's a merchant ship :)

I didn't realize it til just now. I assumed it was military.

I thought NS was nuclear sub! Huh! Wow. Interesting vessel. I wonder if it still has the tacky decor? LOL

You'd think NMS "Nuclear Merchant Ship" would make more sense...

Tacky things? In the 60s and 70s? :) At least that tacky stuff was made to last!

I like the 60's look. Though the swirly formica is a bit meh.

As long as there isn't any shag carpeting, I think it would be cool. Now it's kind of retro/funky.

I have a friend who lived for a while in WI. There was a hotel called the Hartwig Gobbler. It was owned and operated by a company that also raised turkeys... so the shape of the hotel was in that of a turkey. (You can't make this up.) I told her I didn't believe her so she sent me this link: http://www.lileks.com/institute/motel/ OMG. Why is there carpeting on the wall???? I find it sad that the place was torn down. It looks like it would have been great. On a side note, the hotels restaurant is still there and is now used for dinner theater, complete with the round, rotating bar from the supper club era. http://www.gobblertheater.com/ (Too bad it seems to only feature country acts.)