This minelayer was built as a dual-purpose ship. For this, the Royal Netherlands Navy built a number of classes, starting with the Hydra-class, followed by the Douwe Auke-class and Nautilus. Defensive minefields played an important part in this defensive strategy. The naval strategy was centered around defence of essential ports, estuaries and coastal areas. With every stop, I became a bigger and bigger fan of the National Parks system.The military strategy of the Netherlands primarily focused on operations on land, and the role of the Royal Netherlands Navy was limited to defence of coastal waters. Since 2012, I have collected dozens of passport stamps from various stops in the National Park Service system. There are over 400 locations in the United States and American owned islands. These locations include parks, monuments, battlefields, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and even the White House. It was the perfect memento of his travels and I knew I had to start my own passport book. (Full disclosure: Uncle Bob is a good storyteller and he does have a TON of travel experience.) His National Parks Passport book was filled with stamps dating back to the early 1970s. Uncle Bob pulled out a worn, tattered, small blue spiral book and about an hour went by before I spoke again. I knew of the National Park Service system, but didn’t know much information about the various locations. Sharing my itinerary with my Uncle Bob, he asked if I planned on visiting any National Parks. My children were toddlers and we were planning on traveling almost cross country to visit good friends who were temporarily relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Seven years ago I planned my first major road trip. Be sure to look up as you walk under the Ohio (the largest class of submarine) hull ring and the Holland (the first submarine class) hull ring. The outdoor exhibits, including the “ 42 for Freedom” which lists the first group of ballistic nuclear submarines, and the NR41 aka “The Little Sub that Could”, the smallest nuclear powered submarine ever built, which was in service from 1969 until 2008. My Family’s Five Favorite Parts of the Base:ġ. There are picnic areas outside no food or large backpacks are allowed inside the museum or on the Nautilus. Visitors need to be able to climb VERY steep staircases climb up, in, and through tight openings and be comfortable with hallways that can only fit one person at a time and are no more than six feet tall. Strollers are not allowed, there is no handicap accessibility, and it’s tight down below- after all, it is a submarine. The HS Nautilus is not as (younger) child or handicap friendly as the museum. There is a 80 person auditorium which shows a 50 minute film on a loop. The library is closed to the public because it still has classified information. Make sure children pick up a scavenger hunt from the docent desk. Aside from the open staircase, children should be safe exploring freely, with several hands on exhibits. The exhibits inside the museum are fun for even younger children. Strollers are allowed in the museum, and restrooms are located near the entrance.Īccess to the HS Nautilus is through the museum, and you exit the complex through a gift shop. The museum is two floors and does have an elevator. I would plan on about 90 minutes to two hours to explore (30 hour inside the Nautilus, one hour inside the museum, and some time to explore the outside exhibits).Īdmission is free, although donations are gladly accepted. While the actual Naval Submarine Base in New London is closed to the public, keep driving past the base until you hit the waterfront: On the left is the library, museum, and gift shop straight ahead is the HS Nautilus and to the right is the parking lot and various memorials. When I mention I live in Connecticut, many people will exclaim “Oh you must know a lot of maritime and submarine history having the sub base nearby.” I’ve driven by Groton for the past 38 years and yet, until recently, I had not visited the area, known as the “Submarine Capital of the World.” On a spring break trip to nearby Mystic, Connecticut we stopped for the morning in Groton to finally explore the Submarine Force Museum, and tour the HS Nautilus.
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