What Happened to the Nuclear Cruise Ship?

By Anna Duncan

The Soviet Union’s Nuclear Cruise Ship, the Lenin, was an ambitious project from the late 60’s and early 70’s that ultimately failed. It was designed to be the world’s first nuclear-powered passenger ship, capable of carrying up to 1,400 passengers and crew.

The ship was intended to be a symbol of Soviet technological advancement and power. However, despite its grand ambitions, it ended up being a massive failure.

The Lenin was constructed in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), with its nuclear reactor being built in Severodvinsk. Construction began in 1969 but faced numerous delays due to faulty equipment, as well as difficulty obtaining the necessary materials and personnel to complete the project. By 1972, the reactor had finally been installed but then further delays occurred due to problems with its cooling system.

Finally, in 1975, after much delay and cost overruns, the Lenin was ready for sea trials. Unfortunately these were also unsuccessful; during its maiden voyage the ship suffered a major breakdown in its reactor cooling system which caused a partial meltdown of its reactor core. As a result of this incident, all work on the Lenin was immediately stopped.

Despite attempts at repairs over the following years by both Soviet and later Russian engineers, none were successful in bringing back the ship to operational status. In 1989 it was officially decommissioned and scrapped for parts; all that remains is a large section of its hull which can still be seen on display at Severodvinsk today.

Conclusion:

What happened to the Nuclear Cruise Ship? After years of delays and cost overruns due to faulty equipment and difficulty obtaining materials and personnel needed for construction, it suffered a major breakdown during its maiden voyage that caused a partial meltdown of its reactor core.

Repairs were attempted but ultimately unsuccessful leading to it being decommissioned and scrapped for parts in 1989. All that remains is a large section of its hull which can still be seen on display at Severodvinsk today.