What Happened To The Nautilus?

Summary

In 1931, explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins embarked on a daring Arctic expedition in a modified submarine, the Nautilus, to reach the North Pole. Despite numerous setbacks, mechanical failures, and harsh conditions, Wilkins pushed forward, determined to succeed. His mission, funded by media magnate William Randolph Hearst, aimed to uncover Arctic mysteries and make headlines by meeting the airship Graf Zeppelin at the Pole. However, technical issues, a deteriorating crew, and the unforgiving Arctic environment led to the mission's ultimate failure, overshadowing Wilkins' legacy as an explorer.

Takeaways

• 🌐 In August 1931, Sir Hubert Wilkins embarked on an ambitious expedition to reach the North Pole using a modified submarine, the Nautilus.
• ❄️ The Arctic was largely unexplored and extremely challenging for explorers, with many losing their lives due to harsh conditions.
• 🚀 The first undisputed discovery of the North Pole was in 1926, and it was reached from the air, not from the surface.
• 🛠 The Nautilus was a World War One-era submarine retrofitted with innovative features to navigate under the ice, including ice drills and sledge runners.
• 💸 Wilkins secured funding for the expedition by partnering with newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, who turned the scientific pursuit into a media event.
• 📡 The Nautilus was equipped with the latest scientific instruments to gather data and uncover the Arctic's mysteries.
• 🛑 The submarine faced numerous mechanical issues and crew morale problems, including engine failures and sewage flooding.
• 🏔 Despite setbacks, the Nautilus reached 82 degrees north, a record for a vessel traveling under its own power in the Arctic.
• 🔧 The ice drills, a key feature for surfacing, were found to be ineffective, and the crew struggled to make progress.
• 🌀 Wilkins faced a dilemma: return home to financial ruin or continue the dangerous expedition, risking the crew's lives.
• 🏧 The expedition ended without reaching the North Pole, and Wilkins was left financially and socially ruined, with his legacy largely forgotten.

Q & A

What was the main goal of the expedition led by Sir Hubert Wilkins?

The main goal of the expedition was to reach the North Pole and uncover the Arctic's mysteries using a submarine, which was a new kind of exploration machine.

Why did Sir Hubert Wilkins believe a submarine was the best way to reach the North Pole?

Wilkins believed a submarine would be the ultimate way to reach the North Pole because it could navigate under the ice and access areas that were otherwise unreachable by traditional surface vessels or land methods.

What was unique about the submarine used in the expedition?

The submarine, named Nautilus, was a heavily modified World War One-era attack sub. It was reinforced with heavy steel plates and concrete, equipped with sledge runners, a hydraulic impact absorber, and drills capable of boring through ice.

How did Sir Hubert Wilkins fund the expedition?

Wilkins funded the expedition by using his own savings, raising money through lectures and writing a book, and securing significant backing from newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst in exchange for exclusive publishing rights.

What was the Graf Zeppelin's role in the expedition?

The Graf Zeppelin was to fly overhead as Wilkins emerged from the ice at the North Pole, creating a media event of conquering the pole from above and below.

What were some of the challenges faced by the crew during the journey?

The crew faced cramped conditions, frigid temperatures, seasickness, mechanical failures, and a lack of privacy and comfort aboard the submarine.

Why did the ice drills fail during the testing phase?

The ice drills failed during testing because they would only go so far before jamming, indicating a design flaw or operational issue that could not be resolved in time for the expedition.

What happened to the Nautilus after the expedition?

After the crew returned from the Arctic, the Nautilus was deemed too worn and damaged to be worth saving and was deliberately sunk off the coast of Norway.

What was the ultimate fate of Sir Hubert Wilkins after the expedition?

Wilkins was left financially ruined and largely forgotten by history after the expedition. He passed away at the age of seventy, and his ashes were scattered at the North Pole by the crew of the U.S.S. Skate.

How does the script describe the later success of the USS Nautilus?

The script mentions that the nuclear-powered USS Nautilus, sharing the same name, successfully traversed the Arctic underneath the ice in 1958, returning home to huge fanfare.

What is Nebula and how is it related to the script?

Nebula is a streaming platform mentioned at the end of the script, where the story of the Nautilus expedition and other fascinating stories are featured. It is related to the script as it is the platform where more in-depth content about the topic can be found.