Here's What Happened To the World's First Nuclear Passenger Ship

Did you know that civilian nuclear vessels were a thing once upon a time in history? To demonstrate the potential use of nuclear energy and that a nuclear reactor could be used to power a commercial ship, the United States undertook the project of creating one in the late 1950s, and the N.S. Savannah, the first nuclear-powered merchant ship, was born at a cost of $46.9 million.

With a streamlined appearance that made it look more like a luxury yacht than a cargo ship, the N.S. Savannah was in service between 1962 and 1972 and was one of just four nuclear-powered cargo ships ever built. Throughout its service, it promised to make cargo and cruise ships more economical, reliable and faster by harnessing the power of nuclear energy, which would also enable ships to travel for years without refueling, increasing their flexibility and operational duration. However, its early retirement would soon follow. If you're curious to know more about it, make sure you watch the video by Mustard embedded above, and as always, enjoy.