How many times did the nuclear submarine USS Triton surface during its historic 1960 underwater circumnavigation of the globe? July 20, 2017 By Show answer Twice – once to remove a sick crew member, and once to pay tribute to Ferdinand Magellan on the island of Mactan in the Philippines, where the explorer was killed in 1521 during his circumnavigation of the globe. More American History QuestionsMore History Questions