Nuclear Ship Savannah – Baltimore, Maryland - Atlas Obscura
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Baltimore, Maryland

Nuclear Ship Savannah

America's first nuclear-powered merchant ship is now a time warp to the atomic age. 

Nuclear Ship Savannah from the side, docked in Baltimore. Check out that elongated atomic design. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Control room of the Nuclear Ship Savannah. Not a model, this is for real. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
So many buttons and knobs: Bridge Order to SCRAM! bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Outside of the Nuclear Ship Savannah. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Atomic cocktail bar, unfortunately only a museum piece now. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Vintage and newer seating areas near the bar bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Hallway of the ship, leading out to an outdoor deck. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Dig those crazy couches and matching floor design! bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Atomic-themed dinnerware. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Cold War-era ship clocks, for Moscow, Tokyo and Honolulu time. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Atomic-powered propeller logo of the N.S. Savannah. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
SAVANNAH lettering appears strangely slanted in the wrong direction from different angles. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Even the ceiling lights are atomic! (Look up in the dining room.) bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Fancy maritime ropework for a bell toll. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
A nuclear reactor meter reader, apparently. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Hand-written notes with a little atom drawing from a testing log. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Commemorative items and ephemera on display, including military patches, keys, and old photos. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Looking through giant chains and pipes into the Control Room with a tour group going through. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Atomic Energy Commision flag on the N.S. Savannah. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
It's not very accessible, but it is very cool. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
So many instruments... a Raytheon Fathometer. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Historic photos, and illustrations like this, are on display throughout the ship. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Porthole peepin' from inside the N.S. Savannah. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
A visitor looking out the windows of the nuclear ship. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Safe nuclear power quote by LBJ. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
The nuclear ship's steering wheel. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Crazy colored pipes and a view into the control room. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)
Check out the exhibits or walk up the gangplank. bmoresa (Atlas Obscura User)

The N.S. Savannah is a nuclear-powered cargo and passenger ship, created in the 1950s to demonstrate the peaceful potential of atomic energy. It was part of a U.S. government initiative called “Atoms for Peace” under President Dwight Eisenhower.  

The decommissioned ship is now kept in Baltimore, Maryland, where it is open to the public for free tours just once a year, on the Sunday closest to National Maritime Day, in late-May each year. Exploring the retro-future ship is a fascinating glimpse at atomic age style. The engine room looks like it could be from the set of a ’60s sci-fi film, and the back rooms and corridors have vintage machinery, dials, knob, diagrams, pipes, and portholes galore.  

A hand-painted quote from President Lyndon B. Johnson above a model of the ship declares the United States’ intended purpose of the vessel, which was “to use atomic energy for peaceful purposes and for the benefit of mankind.” It was designed to be a kind of showpiece ship, and it looks like it could be from an early James Bond film.

Guest quarters and public areas include a retro midcentury modern dining room with oddly stylish vintage seating, atomic-themed ceiling lights and dinnerware. Throughout the ship are exhibits of historical note, including books, photos, correspondence, and items commemorating the promotion of safe use of atomic energy.

Know Before You Go

Open to the public only one day a year, on the Sunday in May closest to National Maritime Day. Some areas you may be able to wander on your own, but for the best views be sure to get a free guided tour.

Free Event; Free Parking; Rain or Shine. Pier 13 in Canton.

Vessels are NOT handicap accessible. Closed-toe shoes are required for boarding all vessels.

Free parking is available on Newgate Avenue, Newkirk Street and Leland Avenue. You can walk from there, or shuttle vans for visitors run to and from parking areas to the event site. Follow posted signs.

It’s not really near anything in this industrial area, but local food trucks may be on hand for Maritime Day.

Maritime Day exhibits on the pier nearby also include radio-controlled model ships, family-friendly activities, a variety of marine demonstrations, and other ships to see including tug boats, sailing ships, military boats, Coast Guard, and fire department boats.

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