Claustrophobic chaps had a reason to be in awe on this day in 1960, the USS Triton made history beneath the ocean’s surface. In a groundbreaking mission called Operation Sandblast, the nuclear-powered submarine completed the first fully submerged circumnavigation of the Earth.

In one of the most ambitious and covert naval operations of the Cold War, the USS Triton (SSRN-586) became the first vessel to circumnavigate the globe entirely underwater. This was a significant feat, as it showcased the advanced capabilities of the United States’ nuclear submarine fleet. Dubbed Operation Sandblast, the mission began on February 24, 1960, and was completed on April 25, 1960, after 60 days and 21 hours submerged.

This incredible voyage, which covered more than 26,000 nautical miles, closely followed the route taken by explorer Ferdinand Magellan over 400 years earlier. However, the Triton’s journey had a modern twist. Unlike Magellan’s fleet, the Triton never once surfaced, relying on its advanced nuclear power to remain hidden beneath the waves for the entire journey. This was a powerful demonstration of Cold War-era naval capability and technological advancement, a sight to behold for all who witnessed it.

The mission was as much a geopolitical statement as it was a technical triumph. At the height of the Cold War, this demonstration of extended underwater endurance showcased the might and reach of the United States’ nuclear submarine fleet. The USS Triton, under the command of Captain Edward L. Beach, Jr., gathered valuable navigational and oceanographic data while simultaneously showing the world that U.S. submarines could remain undetected for months at a time.

Fun Facts:

• The USS Triton (SSRN-586), a nuclear-powered radar picket submarine, was used during the travel.
• Distance traveled: Over 26,000 nautical miles
• The entire trip took 60 days and 21 hours submerged
• The sub closely followed the path of Magellan’s 16th-century voyage
• Commander: Captain Edward L. Beach, Jr., also a decorated WWII submarine officer and author
• Captain Beach wrote a bestselling account of the mission, titled “Around the World Submerged,” which gives a firsthand look at this monumental underwater journey.