answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The first nuclear powered merchant vessel is the NS Savannah. She was built as a feasibility project for the potential use of nuclear energy. Only 4 civilian merchant vessels have ever been built with nuclear plants, and of those, only 1 is still operational, the Russian ship NS Sevmorput.

The Savannah's design wasn't competitive with other conventional merchants, nor was intended to be. In the end, economic factors, her design issues (she couldn't hold as much cargo as her competitors, and took longer to load) training/crew issues and costs (she required a larger crew, trained also in nuclear propulsion and safety), as well as the oil crisis of the 70's, led the U.S. Maritime Administration to decommission her.

She was moved to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Charleston, S.C., in 1981 and stayed there for many years, being a notable sight for those of us who were stationed there. Her clean hull lines and design stood out at Patriot's Point as we left and entered Charleston Harbor.

She's been moved here to Baltimore for full decommissioning and removal of systems. Designated a Historic Landmark, it's hoped that someone will pick her up as a museum ship, but so far no one has come forward.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What was the name of the first nuclear-powered merchant ship?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Name for a rich merchant ship?

Argosy


What is the name of a petty officer on a merchant ship?

phlut


What does Mv on a ship's name mean?

merchant vessel


What is the name of the former merchant ship trading with Asia India something?

The ship was the Indiaman


What challenges did the Continental Navy face?

When it was first formed it did not own a ship of the line and had no ship building capacity. Not even an armed merchant fleet was available, It was a Navy in name alone.


What does 'RMS' stand for in front of a ships name?

RMS = Royal Merchant Ship.


What is the main difference between a merchant ship and a whaling ship?

The crew on the whaling ship had all the oil they needed for their lamps, while the oil was scarce on a merchant ship.


What are the jobs of a first mate?

An officer on a merchant ship ranking immediately below the captain.Read more: first-mate


What is the main difference between a a merchant ship and a whaling ship?

The crew on the whaling ship had all the oil they needed for their lamps, while the oil was scarce on a merchant ship.


What is the name of the first steam ship?

The name of the first steam ship was Clermont


What does MS on a ship's name mean?

The M.S in a ships name usually designates it, as a "merchant ship " SS is sailing ship, HMAS is her majesty Australian ship, HMS, her majesty's ship. USS united states ship. etc However there are instances where the initials before a ship's Name identify it as belonging to a particular company


Did leif erikson have a ship?

I do not know what ship Leif Erikson sailed on but I can tell you it was not the Santa Maria