This pot-bellied hull, shown crudely shoving water aside as she runs to sea from the U.S. naval base at Portsmouth, N.H., is almost as awkward on the surface as a fisherman's rowboat. But under water she is the fastest, most maneuverable submarine in the world and her tubby shape is the shape of the submarine future.
Called the U.S.S. Albacore, she represents the second stage of the underwater revolution which began with the atomic-powered U.S. Nautilus. Previously, submarines were designed for surface cruising because they had to spend a great deal of time above water recharging batteries. But as soon as the Nautilus proved the feasibility of nuclear power to keep a submarine under water indefinitely, work on the Albacore was rushed. Having proved that the unique bomblike hull shape will outperform any other undersea boat, the Navy revealed this week that it is "marrying" the Albacore to the Nautilus to produce a submarine which will operate almost exclusively under water. Construction of at least one such atomic submarine which will look like the Albacore, will begin soon.
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