SOME MILEAGE! Atomic Sub Nautilus Needs First Refueling in 2 Years WASHINGTON (UP) - America’s first atomic-powered submarine, the Nautilus, is about to be refueled for the first time now that it has traveled a record-breaking 50,000-plus miles over a two-year period. The Navy has decided to refuel the Nautilus to keep it up to peak performance. It presumably could go even further on its original load of enriched uranium, but it would be operating at reduced efficiency. The refueling process will consist of replacing the present uranium slugs in the ships atomic power plant. The old slugs probably will be sent to the Arco, Idaho, atomic test center to determine exactly how much farther the Nautilus could have traveled on the original fuel. It was just about two years ago that the Nautilus set forth on the first atomic-powered voyage in history by going down the Thames River from Connecticut into the Long Island Sound. Since that date, Jan. 17, 1955, the Navy has built or has in the planning stages 18 more atomic powered craft, including a giant carrier and a missile cruiser. The Nautilus has surpassed the hopes of its most ardent backers in performance and endurance. Just how far she has traveled is a closely kept secret, but the Navy has said it has cruised more than 50,000 miles, much of that distance submerged.