What Happened To The Nautilus?
Summary
TLDRIn 1931, Sir Hubert Wilkins embarked on a daring expedition to reach the North Pole in a modified submarine, the Nautilus. Despite numerous challenges, including mechanical failures and crew tensions, Wilkins persevered, pushing the limits of exploration. His attempt, however, ultimately fell short of its ambitious goal, leaving a legacy of determination and innovation in the face of adversity.
Takeaways
- đą In August 1931, Sir Hubert Wilkins and his crew embarked on a daring expedition to explore the Arctic using a modified submarine, the Nautilus.
- đ The goal was to reach the North Pole and uncover the Arctic's mysteries, a challenge that had claimed many lives throughout history.
- đĄ Wilkins believed that a submarine was the ideal vehicle for Arctic exploration, as it could navigate beneath the treacherous ice.
- đ° To fund the expedition, Wilkins used his personal savings and sought financial backing, ultimately partnering with newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst for media coverage.
- đ ïž The Nautilus was retrofitted with numerous features to aid in Arctic exploration, including reinforced bow, sledge runners, hydraulic impact absorber, and ice drills.
- đĄïž Despite the novel features, the Nautilus faced numerous issues, including mechanical failures and the discomfort of cramped, cold conditions for the crew.
- đ The expedition was plagued by setbacks, including a lack of working ice drills and a missing diving rudder, leading to suspicions of sabotage by the crew.
- đ Wilkins was under immense pressure to succeed, not only for the sake of exploration but also to claim a prize offered by Hearst for reaching the North Pole.
- đ The Nautilus never reached the North Pole as intended, and the expedition was eventually called off, leaving Wilkins financially ruined and largely forgotten.
- đ The story of Wilkins's expedition highlights the harsh realities and challenges faced by Arctic explorers, and the lengths to which they would go to push the boundaries of human knowledge.
Q & A
What was Sir Hubert Wilkins's primary objective for using a submarine in his Arctic expedition?
-Sir Hubert Wilkins aimed to reach the North Pole by navigating a submarine beneath the Arctic ice, believing it to be a more effective method than previous surface attempts. He also planned to uncover the Arcticâs great mysteries using the submarine's advanced scientific equipment.
Why did Sir Hubert Wilkins partner with newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst for his expedition?
-Wilkins partnered with Hearst to secure funding for his expensive Arctic expedition. In return, Hearst received exclusive publishing rights, which he used to create a media sensation around the voyage, potentially increasing newspaper sales.
What were the major challenges faced by the crew of the Nautilus during their expedition?
-The crew faced numerous challenges including mechanical failures, ice blockages, cramped and cold conditions, and health issues exacerbated by the sub's environment. They also dealt with the psychological strain of extended periods under ice in a confined space.
How was the Nautilus modified to navigate under Arctic ice?
-The Nautilus was reinforced with heavy steel plates and a hydraulic impact absorber to protect against collisions with ice. It was also equipped with sledge runners and a hydraulic guide arm to navigate along the ice bottom, and had drills to bore through ice for surfacing.
What led to the failure of the Nautilus expedition?
-The expedition failed due to a combination of technical problems with the Nautilus, such as mechanical failures and ineffective ice drills, and environmental challenges like heavy ice conditions. Additionally, the crew faced severe discomfort and health issues.
How did the public and media react to the setbacks of the Nautilus expedition?
-Initially, the media, fueled by Hearst's sensational coverage, was supportive. However, as the expedition encountered severe setbacks and failed to meet the ambitious targets, media coverage turned negative, openly mocking Wilkinsâs efforts.
What was Simon Lake's role in the Nautilus expedition?
-Simon Lake was the naval architect responsible for modifying the Nautilus. He implemented numerous design changes to adapt the submarine for under-ice travel, though not all modifications were successful in practice.
Why did Wilkins continue the expedition despite numerous setbacks?
-Wilkins was driven by a combination of personal ambition to succeed where others had failed, potential financial incentives from Hearst, and his commitment to his sponsors and the scientific goals of the expedition.
What happened to the Nautilus submarine after the expedition?
-After the expedition, the Nautilus was deemed too damaged and worn to be worth repairing. It was deliberately sunk off the coast of Norway.
What legacy did Sir Hubert Wilkins leave behind after his expeditions?
-Despite the failed Nautilus expedition, Wilkins was recognized for his earlier contributions to polar exploration. His ashes were scattered at the North Pole, commemorating his dedication to Arctic and Antarctic exploration.
Outlines
đ The Daring Arctic Expedition of 1931
This paragraph introduces the ambitious Arctic expedition of 1931, led by Sir Hubert Wilkins, aiming to reach the North Pole using a modified submarine. The explorers set out to uncover the Arctic's mysteries, enduring harsh conditions and pushing their limits. The paragraph also touches on the historical context of Arctic exploration, highlighting the challenges and tragedies faced by previous explorers. Wilkins' innovative approach, using a submarine equipped with the latest scientific equipment, is contrasted with traditional methods, emphasizing the novelty and risk of his mission. The narrative also reveals the financial and media aspects of the expedition, including Wilkins' partnership with newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, aiming to turn the scientific pursuit into a media sensation and secure funding for the journey.
đ ïž Challenges and Concerns Before Departure
The second paragraph delves into the preparations and concerns prior to the expedition's departure. Wilkins, despite putting on a brave face for the public, harbored doubts about the submarine's novel features, fearing they might be unnecessary or even dangerous. The paragraph describes the various modifications made to the Nautilus, including the addition of sledge runners, ice drills, and a shock absorber, which Wilkins found questionable. Tensions arise between Wilkins and the submarine's owner, Simon Lake, over the requested modifications. The paragraph also highlights the technical issues that plagued the Nautilus, leading to repeated repairs and delays, and the pressure building on Wilkins to meet the Graf Zeppelin at the North Pole to claim the prize money. The media's shift from support to ridicule and the mounting challenges faced by the expedition are also discussed.
đĄïž The Struggle Against the Arctic Elements
This paragraph describes the Nautilus' arduous journey through the Arctic, highlighting the crew's struggle against the harsh elements and the submarine's mechanical failures. The crew's physical and mental exhaustion is palpable as they face food poisoning, illness, and the constant threat of being trapped under the ice. The paragraph reveals the dire situation aboard the Nautilus, including the crew's desire to turn back and the disappearance of the diving rudder, which Wilkins suspects was sabotage. The pressure on Wilkins to continue the expedition, despite public and private urgings to return home, is emphasized, painting a picture of a man torn between his ambition and the safety of his crew.
đ The Legacy of Sir Hubert Wilkins
The final paragraph reflects on the aftermath of the expedition and the legacy of Sir Hubert Wilkins. Despite the failure to reach the North Pole and the loss of prize money, Wilkins' attempt to traverse the Arctic under the ice was a precursor to future successful missions. The paragraph also shifts focus to the USS Nautilus, a nuclear-powered submarine that accomplished a Polar crossing three decades later. Wilkins' financial ruin and fading into obscurity after the expedition are mentioned, as well as his final resting place at the North Pole. The paragraph concludes with a brief mention of a Soviet project on artificial suns, hinting at the continuous human endeavor to explore and conquer the extremes of our planet.
đ„ Mustard's Nebula: A Platform for Exclusive Content
The last paragraph shifts from the historical narrative to a contemporary context, introducing Nebula, a streaming platform for exclusive content. It highlights the platform's unique offerings, such as in-depth videos on iconic machines and unrealized concepts, and its recent expansion into categories like History and Science. The paragraph emphasizes the platform's creator-owned model, ensuring that support goes directly into content development. It also mentions the variety of subscription options available, including lifetime memberships, and invites the audience to sign up for a discounted annual subscription to support the creators and access high-quality, exclusive content.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄArctic exploration
đĄSir Hubert Wilkins
đĄNautilus
đĄMedia sensation
đĄTechnological innovation
đĄChallenges and setbacks
đĄMoral dilemma
đĄPersistence
đĄSabotage
đĄFinancial ruin
đĄNebula
đĄOrbital satellites
Highlights
In August 1931, a daring expedition led by Sir Hubert Wilkins aimed to explore the Arctic using a submarine, marking a new era in polar exploration.
The explorers set out to not only reach the North Pole but also to uncover the mysteries hidden beneath the Arctic's ice.
The history of Arctic exploration was fraught with challenges, including harsh weather conditions and the loss of many lives.
Sir Hubert Wilkins believed that a submarine, equipped with the latest scientific equipment, was the ideal way to reach the North Pole.
The Nautilus, a modified World War One-era attack sub, was chosen for this groundbreaking journey.
Renowned naval architect Simon Lake made numerous modifications to the Nautilus to make it suitable for under-ice travel, including reinforcing the bow and adding a hydraulic impact absorber.
Wilkins faced financial challenges and turned to media mogul William Randolph Hearst for funding, turning the scientific expedition into a media sensation.
The expedition was plagued with mechanical issues, including a non-functioning ice drill and a missing diving rudder.
Despite the setbacks, Wilkins and his crew managed to travel further north than any vessel had before, reaching 82 degrees north.
The crew faced extreme conditions, with the Nautilus lacking heat and insulation, leading to sickness and discomfort among the team.
Wilkins was faced with a difficult decision: return home and face financial ruin or continue the perilous journey.
The Nautilus was ultimately forced to end the expedition, and Wilkins's attempt was largely forgotten until decades later.
The nuclear-powered USS Nautilus, named after the original, would successfully traverse the Arctic ice in 1958, gaining widespread recognition.
Sir Hubert Wilkins, once a celebrated explorer, ended his life financially ruined and largely forgotten, but his ashes were scattered at the North Pole as per his wishes.
The story of Wilkins's Arctic expedition is a testament to the spirit of exploration and the challenges faced by those who push the boundaries of human knowledge.
The transcript also introduces a mysterious Soviet project to launch artificial suns, illustrating the ongoing human endeavor to harness and utilize space for the betterment of life on Earth.
Nebula, a streaming platform offering exclusive content on history, science, and technology, provides a unique perspective on the stories behind iconic machines and fascinating concepts.
Transcripts
In August 1931, a submarine approaches the edge of the known world.
Itâs about to enter a massive frozen unknown. A part of the world remains largely unexplored.
On board are a group of daring explorers determined to uncover the Arcticâs great mysteries.
Setting out to not only reach the top of the world, Â
but to discover what lies hidden beneath it. In a new kind of exploration machine. Â
Enduring cramped conditions and frigid temperatures, theyâll push ahead for thousands Â
of kilometers under the ice. But as days turn to weeks, the expedition will go horribly wrong.
For centuries, explorers tried repeatedly to reach the top of the world. At first, they used ships, Â
battling frigid temperatures and treacherous sea ice. Their vessels often became trapped, Â
stranding crews with little hope of rescue. Later, explorers tried with dog sleds or even Â
on foot, often ending tragically. Over the centuries hundreds of explorers perished. Â
So challenging was the Arctic, that the first undisputed discovery Â
of the North Pole wasnât until 1926. And it was only from the air, in a modified Â
airship that never even touched the ground. So, when accomplished explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins Â
planned to set foot on the North Pole, he was convinced there was a better way to do it. Â
The North Pole doesnât lie on a continental land mass like the South Pole. Instead, Â
itâs located in the middle of the Arctic Ocean amid waters almost always covered in ice. Â
Wilkins was convinced that a submarine would be the ultimate way to reach the Â
North Pole. And fitted with the latest scientific equipment, it could help Â
solve the Arctic's greatest mysteries.
Wilkins would set off in the summer.
First,  sailing across the Atlantic, then all the way up to the Arctic Circle. From there, his Â
expedition would head West, spanning over three thousand kilometers. Over six weeks, he'd zigzag Â
underneath the ice, emerging from the deep through any openings, before finally ending in Alaska. Â
To fund the expedition, Wilkins put up his own savings and raised money from wherever Â
he could. He lectured day and night, and even wrote a book outlining his ambitions plans. Â
But it still wasn't enough. Heâd need serious backing. And one sure way to get it⊠was to turn Â
his scientific pursuit into a media sensation. A voyage under the sea ice was the kind of thing Â
that would sell out newspapers. So Wilkins made a deal with newspaper Â
magnate William Randolph Hearst. A man with a flare for sensationalism.
Hearst would get exclusive publishing rights, and Wilkins would get his funding.
And to create even more buzz, Hearst orchestrated for Wilkins to meet up at Â
the pole with a second expedition. The massive airship Graf Zeppelin would fly overhead just Â
as Wilkins emerged from the ice. Captivating the public with headlines of the pole being Â
conquered from above and below. If he could pull off the stunt, Â
Hearst offered Wilkins a one hundred and fifty thousand dollar prize.
All that was left, was to find a submarine.
Wilkins planned to reach the North Pole in the Nautilus. A retired World War One-era attack Â
sub that had been heavily modified by renowned naval architect Simon Lake. And it would have to Â
do what no submarine had ever done before. The voyage would be fraught with danger, Â
including the risk of a collision with the sea ice. So Lake reinforced the Nautilusâs bow with Â
heavy steel plates and concrete, and added a hydraulic impact absorber to soften the blow. Â
But the ice above could also prove deadly. So Lake fitted the topside with sledge runners, Â
which would allow it to slide along the bottom of the ice, much like a toboggan. Â
A hydraulic retractable guide arm would also keep a safe distance from hazards above. Â
The Nautilus could be confined under the ice for days at a time. But it Â
would eventually need to surface to take on air and recharge its batteries. A lack Â
of openings in the ice could doom the crew. So Lake innovated a series of drills capable Â
of boring through the ice. Allowing the Nautilusâs crew to drill through Â
up to twenty feet to reach the surface. In place of the original torpedo tubes, Â
Lake added a pressurized diving chamber, where the crew could lower instruments Â
to the ocean floor, or conduct dives. In all, Simon Lake made dozens of modifications. Â
Originally built for World War One, the Nautilus would now have to battle mother nature. Â
On March 16, 1931, as the expedition prepared to set off, Wilkins put on a brave face for Â
reporters. âThe men are just having things on board now for the final inspection before Â
leaving the dockyard. We expect in about six or eight months to have made the trip Â
two thousand miles under the ice. Starting from Spitsbergen somewhere about the first of Julyâ. Â
But deep down, Wilkins was worried. He feared many of the subâs novel Â
features were unnecessary. Even dangerous. He had reservations about the sledge runners, Â
the ice drills, and the shock absorber Which he worried would actually lodge itself into the ice, Â
trapping the Nautilus beneath the surface. Wilkins insisted on installing a photosensitive Â
electrical cell to measure the thickness of the ice above so heâd know where to Â
surface. But Simon Lake denied the request. The Nautilus was Lakeâs submarine. Heâs the one Â
who leased it from the U.S. Navy, and he had the final word on any modifications. Wilkins Â
merely sub-chartered it for the expedition. There was little he could do, but accept the Â
submarine as it was. But the wonder gadgets would cause headaches before the expedition Â
even began. Repeatedly forcing the sub back into port for repairs. It was one thing to invent Â
novel features. Trying to retrofit them onto a tired old sub, created all kinds of issues. Â
Confirming Wilkinsâs worst fears, the ice drills didn't even work during testing, Â
and a separate engineering firm was called in to try to figure it all out. Â
The weeks turned into months, and Wilkins was beginning to feel the pressure. Â
If the Nautilus was to meet the Graf Zeppelin at the North pole, time was of the essence. Otherwise Â
Wilkins would lose out on Hearstâs prize money. By June, Wilkins had had enough. Mechanical Â
issues be damned, it was time to get going.
The journey across the Atlantic was grueling. Â
The tiny sub was easily tossed around by fierce North Atlantic storms.The crew were also beginning Â
to learn just how uncomfortable the Nautilus was. The submarine was cramped and claustrophobic to Â
begin with. Now loaded up for the expedition, there was even less space. For twenty men Â
there was just a single toilet out in the open between two roaring diesel engines. Â
The crew would have to spend their entire day standing. Because there wasn't anywhere to sit.
Only a handful of bunks shared amongst the men provided any relief. Â
Wilkins sent Hearst daily radio updates documenting harrowing journey. Â
âThis morning an extra heavy wave swept the deck and carried away the screen before the bridgeâ Â
Nearly everyone aboard was seasick. And when the Nautilusâs bilge pump failed, Â
sewage, oil, and vomit began to swill around the crew's feet. But as the tiny sub battled Â
the fierce Atlantic, things only got worse. âThe fourth cylinder of our starboard engine is Â
badly cracked.â Forced to shut down one of its two engines, the Nautilus could only limp forward. Â
On June 13th, a week into the journey, the Nautilus stopped sending radio updates. Â
And for several days, no one had any idea about the fate of the sub and its crew. Â
On June 15, the Battleship Wyoming found the Nautilus drifting aimlessly about Â
a thousand kilometers northeast of the Azores, both engines had failed and the Â
batteries were dead. Wilkins would now face the humiliation of having his sub towed the Â
rest of the way across the Atlantic. Worse still, four crew members quit, Â
and the Nautilus once again needed major repairs. It would take weeks for replacement Â
parts to arrive from the United States. It meant, there was no longer enough time Â
to catch up with the Graf Zeppelin. And In a stunning blow, Wilkins could Â
no longer claim Hearstâs prize money. The media also turned against him, running Â
headlines that openly mocked his expedition. Wilkins was under mounting pressure. His Â
submarine didn't work. His crew was demoralized and winter was fast approaching. At this point, Â
just about anyone else would have thrown in the towel. But this was Sir Hubert Wilkins. Â
Even months behind schedule, Wilkins pressed ahead. On July 28th, Â
the expedition finally left for the North Pole. The Nautilus was still riddled with problems, Â
but the crew had gotten used to making repairs on the go, and any major issues Â
were fixed during scheduled stops. By August 15th, the Nautilus had reached Â
the last inhabited land before the Arctic. And Wilkins was finally sending out upbeat Â
progress reports. And on the 19th, the Nautilus reached the first ice flows. Â
To celebrate, the men were given a break from the cramped conditions,
and began collecting scientific data. Back home, Hearst relayed fascinating new discoveries, like Â
a warmer layer of water deep below the surface, thought to be vital for predicting weather. Â
After traveling a week in the ice, the Nautilus reached 82 degrees north. Further than any Â
vessel had ever made it under its own power. It looked like Wilkins would actually do it, Â
he would travel a thousand kilometers under the ice.
But as the world read about Wilkins's achievements, onboard the Nautilus Â
things were not as they seemed. Wilkins had once again, merely put on a brave face. Â
In reality, the crew were exhausted and freezing. The Nautilus had no heat or insulation. Nothing Â
but bare metal separated them from the frigid arctic waters. The crew were constantly sickened Â
with food poisoning and dosed with lead from the soldering in the submarineâs pipes.
Attempting the Pole this late in the season would be extremely dangerous, and without exception, Â
everyone wanted to turn around and head home. Everyone, except Wilkins
On August 22nd he gave the order to dive beneath the ice. But the Nautilus refused. Â
The diving rudder, the mechanism that controls vertical motion
underwater, just wouldn't respond. Wilkins sent a diver to investigate Â
and he soon returned with a stunning discovery. The rudder had simply disappeared. Maybe it had Â
fallen off and somehow no one noticed? Or maybe as Wilkins suspected, the crew had sabotaged the Â
sub in an attempt to end the expedition. By this point, even Hearst was publicly Â
urging Wilkins to return home. But again, things weren't what they Â
seemed. In a private message, the Hearst corporation pressured Wilkins to continue Â
to the Pole âŠreminding him of their agreement. And that left Wilkins with an impossible decision. Â
Return home to certain failure and financial ruin, or press on and risk the lives of the crew. Â
On August 31st Wilkins ordered the ballast tanks flooded and trim set Â
two degrees down. He would force the Nautilus to submerge by ramming under the ice. Â
The sound of the sledge runners scraping against the ice reverberated right through Â
the superstructure, as if the Nautilus was being torn apart. Â
Itâs as though Wilkins had lost his mind. He couldn't Â
possibly reach the pole in the crippled sub. But faced with an endless string of setbacks, Â
Wilkins seemed determined to prove a point. They pushed on for several kilometers before Â
Wilkins ordered a test of the ice drills. For hours the crew tried in vain to bore Â
through just a few feet of ice. Each time, Simon Lake's patented drill would only go Â
so far before jamming. It was hopeless. On September 6th, Wilkins finally sent Â
out the radio transmission that by now, everyone was hoping for. Â
âOur Arctic trip is overâŠâ
Wilkins had taken the Nautilus whereÂ
no submarine had ever gone before. But it would be another three decades before anyone successfully Â
traversed the arctic underneath the ice. Sharing the same name the nuclear-powered Â
USS Nautilus could stay submerged for weeks at a time. It made its first Polar crossing in 1958, Â
returning home to huge fanfare. By that point Wilkinsâs attempt had long been forgotten. Â
The original Nautilus now lies sunk on the ocean floor off the coast of Norway. After Â
the crew returned from the Arctic, the sub was deemed too worn and damaged to be worth Â
saving. And it was deliberately sunk. Prior to the nautilus expedition, Wilkins Â
was considered among the greatest explorers of the 20th century. Having made immense contributions to Â
our understanding of the North and South Poles. But his final expedition left him financially Â
ruined and largely forgotten by history. After passing away at the age of seventy, Â
Wilkins's final wishes were fulfilled, when the crew of the U.S.S. Skate scattered Â
his ashes at the North Pole. Â
In the dying days of the U.S.S.R.,Â
the Soviets begin working on a mysterious project straight out of science fiction. Â
Theyâre preparing to launch the first in a series of artificial suns. Â
Massive orbital satellites with the power to turn night into day. Illuminating large areas of the Â
planet to generate power, light up entire cities, and grow plants in the far north. Â
âThey will transform perpetual night into daylight. There could eventually be a whole Â
network of those cosmic spotlights. Youâre talking about something which is several Â
miles across. Itâs the last vestige of the old Soviet dream of industrializing space.â Â
This is the little known story of one of the most bizarre and Â
fascinating space projects in history. And you can learn more about it in my Â
feature coming next month to Nebula. Nebula is where you can watch hours of Â
exclusive Mustard videos that aren't available anywhere else. Videos that Â
explore the fascinating stories behind iconic machines like the legendary F-117 Nighthawk, Â
the Mig-31 Foxhound, and the M-50 Bounder. And fantastic unrealized concepts like the Â
insane soviet proposal for ground effect aircraft carriers, the MiG-25 Business Jet, Â
and the largest aircraft ever imagined, the incredible Lockheed CL-1201. Â
Nebula recently received its biggest update yet. With new categories like History and Science, Â
itâs never been easier to discover content youâll love. Thereâs also an entire section Â
now dedicated to news, curated by the TLDR News team to keep you informed about world events. Â
And weâve just announced an exciting new batch of Originals in development, covering a wide Â
spectrum of fact and fictional content. You can already start watching the War Room, Â
from the team behind RealLifeLore, and get a monthly deep dive into Â
ongoing conflicts around the world. Nebula isnât like other streaming platforms. Â
Itâs owned directly by us, the creators, and that means your support goes directly into improving Â
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