The Navy's beloved Nautilus is now attached to its own pier here on the Thames River in Groton CT, just up river from where it was built at Electric Boat. President Truman welded his initials into the keel on June 14, 1952. The 1st submarine to reach the North Pole, by the time it was decommissioned in 1980 it had traveled more than 500,000 miles on nuclear power. On April 11, 1986, it was opened to the public. Stairs have replaced the ladders, but the feeling of being in a submarine remains. Welcome home, Nautilus!