I toured the only nuclear missile submarine in the US open to the public. Take a look inside.

Commissioned in 1958, the USS Growler carried Regulus II sea-to-surface missiles armed with nuclear warheads. The looming threat of the submarine’s firepower acted as a deterrent to prevent other countries from using their nuclear arsenals.

The first Regulus missiles had a range of 500 miles. Regulus II missiles could travel twice that distance.

Each hangar could hold two Regulus I missiles, which each measured 33 feet long, according to the National Air and Space Museum.

Crew members assigned to the missile checkout and guidance center were in charge of maintaining, firing, and guiding the trajectory of the Regulus missiles. Launching a Regulus missile took about 15 minutes.

Crew members shared a separate washroom.

The USS Growler carried all of the food and supplies it would need to sustain itself during patrols that lasted over two months.

A storekeeper kept track of non-food supplies such as light bulbs, pens, and toilet paper.

Chief petty officers helped train new submariners and acted as leaders and liaisons between officers and crew members.

The nickname “goat locker” dates back to 1893, when the rank of chief petty officer was established. Chief petty officers were put in charge of the goats that were kept on ships to produce milk, and the animals’ pens were located in their quarters, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command.

When the USS Growler traveled on the surface of the water, the bridge provided a vantage point for crew members to surveil the surrounding ocean.

Seeing how far down I was in the submarine was striking. I couldn’t imagine what it must have been like to serve on a two-month-long patrol with no fresh air or sunlight.

The crew members who sat in the chairs directed the USS Growler’s movements with three steering wheels that controlled different angles and movements.

Each room had a corresponding number that crew members could dial.

The USS Growler could only send messages at periscope depth. Lower down in the ocean, it could receive low-frequency signals, but couldn’t send any outgoing messages.

Trash was disposed of in weighted tubes that wouldn’t float to the surface and give away the submarine’s location.

The green straps on the beds kept crew members from rolling out of the bunks during rough seas.

The distilled water was used for cooling the submarine’s diesel engines, cooking food, washing dishes, and bathing.

The USS Growler’s maximum speed was 12 knots, or 14 mph, while submerged and 14 knots, or 16 mph, while surfaced.

As the only nuclear missile submarine in the US that’s open to the public, visiting the USS Growler is absolutely worth a trip to the Intrepid Museum.

I was fascinated by how self-sufficient the submarine was as it carried out top-secret patrols. It was hard to believe that 90 crew members operated in such small spaces for extended periods of time.

With its supply of nuclear missiles kept at the ready during the Cold War, the stakes couldn’t have been higher to keep the USS Growler running smoothly and efficiently. The stakes remain high today as US Navy submarines continue to patrol waters connected to regional conflicts.