 USS Triton ( SSRN / SSN @-@ 586 ) , a United States Navy radar picket nuclear submarine , was the first vessel to execute a submerged circumnavigation of the Earth ( Operation Sandblast ) , doing so in early 1960 . Triton accomplished this objective during her shakedown cruise while under the command of Captain Edward L. " Ned " Beach , Jr. (USN) .
The submarine departed New London , Connecticut on January 23 , 1960 , and arrived at her home port at Portsmouth , New Hampshire on February 11 , 1960 .
The submarine was the first vessel to execute