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GROTON, CT - MAY 13: The sign is seen at the front gate of the U.S. Naval Submarine Base May 13, 2005 in Groton, Connecticut.
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Actor Woody Harrelson "blew up" a submarine with a questionable name at a Connecticut naval base during the most recent "Saturday Night Live" episode.
During a skit in episode 13 of season 48, a navy captain (Harrelson) leads a crew on a submarine — at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton — with a less-than-ideal name. The point of the skit was that the submarine's name was chosen by an "overwhelming majority" in an online poll, which the crew created in an attempt to get more followers on Instagram. Ultimately, the captain's wife leaves him over the name and the crew blows up the submarine.
The ship in the skit is referred to by Harrelson as a "nuclear submarine," a possible nod to the Naval Submarine Base New London being the homeport of the USS Nautilus (SSN-571.) The USS Nautilus, which was commissioned in Groton, is considered to be the world's first nuclear-powered submarine and the first United States submarine to successfully venture under the North Pole, according to the U.S. Navy. The crew which went out on the North Pole expedition was given the Presidential Unit Citation, an award for military units that accomplish a mission under "extremely difficult and hazardous conditions," by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958.
U.S.S. Nautilus, the first atomic submarine, Groton, Conn.
Photo by Pierce Archive LLC/Buyenlarge via Getty Images
(Original Caption) The world's first nuclear powered submarine, the U.S.S. Nautilus, enters the waters of the Thames River at her launching here from shipyard of Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation, January 21, 1954. Vessel was christened by Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower, wife of the president. (Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images)
George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty ImagesThe USS Nautilus now serves as a "museum ship" that guests can explore at Groton's Submarine Force Library & Museum.
The Nutmeg State is no stranger to being featured on "Saturday Night Live." More recent references include episode 10 of season 46 in which host John Krasinski plays a Connecticut economist and episode 13 of season 42 in which Kristin Stewart's "Courtney," wearing a UConn shirt, shares tales of her drunk adventures.