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Nuclear Powered Ship Model - NS Savannah Reg. No: ST 038176

Summary:: NS Savannah was the world's first nuclear-powered cargo-passenger ship. Designed as a US government project to promote the peaceful use of atomic energy, the vessel was built at Camden, New Jersey by the New York Shipbuilding Co. between 1958 and 1962. On completion, NS Savannah displaced 22,000 tons and could carry 9400 tons of cargo and 60 passengers.

The nuclear reactor was powered by uranium and supplied steam to a geared twin-turbine engine and single propeller. Top speed was 21 knots. It was operated initially by the US Maritime Administration and the Atomic Energy Commission. Between 1965 and 1970 the Savannah was used for cargo voyages although the high operating cost and large crew made the vessel uneconomic for commercial use. 'Savannah was laid up in 1970 and her nuclear fuel was removed in 1971. The vessel has been registered as a US National Historic Landmark and remains in storage. Two other nuclear-powered merchant ships have been built. The 'NS Otto Hahn' in Germany (1964) and the 'NS Sevmorput' (1988) in the USSR. 'Otto Hahn' was converted to conventional power and the 'Sevmorput' remains in service.
Acquisition Information:: Unknown from Unknown

Discipline:	Technology
Dimensions:	265 mm (Height), 180 mm (Width), 1265 mm (Length)

Tagged with:	modelmaking, nuclear technology, scale models, ship models, ships
Themes this item is part of:	Engineering Collection, Transport Collection
Primary Classification:	WATER TRANSPORT
Secondary Classification:	Nuclear Power
Tertiary Classification:	model merchant steamers