Historic Ship Nautilus and Submarine Force Museum conducts Change of Charge

ByPettyOfficer3rdClass

MaxwellHiggins

Submarine Learning Center

GROTON Conn. Lt Cmdr BryanChapman relieved Lt Cmdr. Derek Sutton as the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Historic Ship Nautilus (HSN) and Submarine Force Museum (SFM) during a change of charge ceremony on the Museum’s Nautilus Pier, Wednesday,July12.Specialguestsincluded

Captain Kenneth M. Curtin Jr., Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE)

Commanding Officer; Captain Matthew Tharp Chief of Staff at Naval History and HeritageCommand;CaptainDanielRossler RegionalSupportGroupGrotonCommanding Officer; and retired Rear Adm. John Padgett, President of the Submarine Force LibraryandMuseumAssociation.

USS Nautilus (SSN 571) was a marvel in 1954 when launched and commissioned as the world’s first nuclear powered ship or submarine Thesubmarineremainsamarvel todayastheonlynuclearpoweredU.S.naval vesselavailabletothepublicforgeneralvisitation AsOfficer-in-Charge,Suttonoversawthe first comprehensive preservation project since 2002 of the National Historic Landmark and Connecticut’s State Ship The extensive undertaking involved Nautilus being towed from its museum moorings to the nearby SUBASE for dry-docking and restoration from October 2021 August 2022.The$36millionNautiluspreservation project finished ahead of schedule, under budget, and has ensured the historic ship will be able to inform, educate, and engage thepublicforthenext30years.

Additionally, Sutton reinvigorated youth education programs and community engagementsaswellasledthecreationand deployment of the only augmented-reality experienceamongNavyMuseums.

Tharp said Sutton’s “extraordinary leadership during unprecedented times was invaluable as this tremendous ship is once again available to the public, and interest in

GROTON,Connecticut (July14 2023) - Lt Cmdr DerekSutton delivers remarks during a change ofcharge ceremonyon the pierofthe Submarine Force Museum.The change ofcharge ceremonyis a time-honored tradition,which formallyrestates the continuityofcommand. It is nearlyunique to theworld today,it is the transferoftotal responsibility,authorityand accountabilityfrom one individual to another conducted before the assembled companyofthe command.This ceremonyreflects the great heritage ofthe United States Navyand the honor courage and commitment offree men andwomen proudlyserving theirnation and the finest Navyin theworld.(U.S.NAVYPHOTOBYMASS

COMMUNICATIONSPECIALIST2NDCLASSMAXWELLHIGGINS) themuseumandtheshiparesoaringtonew levels.”

Curtin highlighted that Nautilus and the Museum represent SUBASE’s “front door,” and“arenotonlythegatewaytotheboldand courageous legacy of our Submarine Force butalsotheferventheraldsofourfuture.”

“Whether it is the 100,000 visitors you welcome every year; the dozens of retirement and change of command ceremonies; the many different education programs the museum provides to young students; the familydayeventsenhancingcultureandart; or, the many community ceremonies such as honoring the Battle of Midway and Gold Star Families, the Nautilus team engages, impacts,andimpresses,”saidCurtin Sutton,anativeofupstateNewYork,will attend the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.afterdepartingfromHSN. Chapman, a native of Wadsworth, Ohio, assumes charge after most recently serving astheWeaponsOfficerattheNavalSubmarineSchool.