National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Throughout the Cold War, America's adversaries understood that an attack on the United States, or its deployed forces, risked devastating retaliation by the Navy's technologically advanced and professionally manned submarine force.   This exhibit highlights the trying conditions U.S. Navy Sailors endured during this time.  

Interesting artifacts in the Covert Submarine Operations exhibit include:

• Replica of a Sturgeon-class nuclear submarine sail.
• Control Room, consisting of navigational equipment from USS Parche (SSN-683) and USS Trepang (SSN-674).
• MK-48 Torpedo
• Models of Soviet Typhoon-class; Delta II-class; and Alfa-class submarines.
  
• USS Sand Lance's (SSN-660) maneuvering console.  The console is shown in three parts:  steam-control panel, the reactor panel, and the electrical-distribution panel.
  
• Life Onboard a Submarine.  This portion highlights a crew's mess, showcasing the only Steinway piano to go to sea onboard a U.S. Navy submarine, USS Thomas A. Edison (SSBN-610), a washer and dryer, and a bunk area.  
  
• Damage Control equipment:  masks and protective steam-suit.  

Click on the links below to review a brief photographic history on the submarines in this exhibit area. 

• USS Parche (SSN-683)
• USS Sand Lance (SSN-660)
• USS Thomas A. Edison (SSBN-610)
• USS Trepang (SSN-674)