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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

O-12 (SS-73)

Radio Call Sign: November - Echo - Tango - Lima
O-11 Class Submarine: Laid down, 6 March 1916, at Lake Torpedo Boat Co., Bridgeport, CT.; Launched, 29 September 1917; Commissioned, USS O-12, 19 October 1918, at New York; Designated (SS-73), 17 July 1920; Decommissioned, 17 June 1924, at Philadelphia, PA.; Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Philadelphia; Struck from the Naval Register, 29 May 1930; Transferred to USSB for conversion for Arctic exploration, renamed Nautilus; Final Disposition, scuttled, 20 November 1931 in Norwegian waters.

Specifications: Displacement, surfaced: 491 t., submerged: 566 t.; Length 175'; Beam 16' 7"; Draft 13' 11"; Speed, surfaced 14 kts, submerged 11 kts; Operational Depth Limit 200 ft; Complement 2 Officers 27 Enlisted; Armament, four 18" torpedo tubes, eight torpedoes, one 3"/23 deck gun; Propulsion, diesel-electric, Busch Sulzer Brothers Diesel Engine Co., diesels, 1,000 hp, Fuel Capacity, 18,588 gal.; Diehl Manufacture Co. electric motors, 800 hp, Battery Cells 120, single propeller.
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O-12 135k Simon Lake's O-12 (SS-73) retained his trademark stern and amidships planes (shown folded down in the outboard view). Note the seperate flooding ports in the watertight superstructure. Drawing by Jim Christley, text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Through 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. Naval Institute Press.
N-4 62k N-4 (SS-56) outboard with O-12 (SS-73) inboard, at Lake Torpedo Boat Co., Bridgeport, CT., 16 January 1917.
USN photo # 19-N-871B, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
N-5, 4, & O-12 110k N-4 (SS-56), N-5 (SS-57), & O-12 (SS-73) tied up to dock at Lake Torpedo Boat Co., Bridgeport, CT., 1 April 1918. USN photo # 19-N-884, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
O-11 through O-16 238k From inboard to outboard: O-11 (SS-72), O-13 (SS-74), O-14 (SS-75) , O-15 (SS-76), O-16 (SS-77), and O-12 (SS-73), at the Washington D.C. Navy Yard, circa 1918-24.
USN photo # 80-G-1024950, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
O-12 110k Starboard side view of the O-12 (SS-73), circa 1918-24. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Lake Boats 122k Lake boats show their distinctive sterns at Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1919: O-boats, inboard O-12 (SS-73), outboard O-14 (SS-75), middle boat,N-7 (SS-59) and two other unidentified boats.
After WW I the U.S. Navy standardized on Lake's flat stern, whose buoyancy kept the propellers and diving planes down in the water.		 Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston
Photo & text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Through 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. Naval Institute Press.
O-12 77k O-12 (SS-73) at Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone in February 1920. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph # NH 74644 submitted by Robert Hurst.
Coco Solo1.66kUS Sub Base, Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone: 26 September 1922.
France Field is in the background.
One of the Henry Ford built Eagle class patrol boats is in the lower left corner of the basin.
Identifiable submarines are not clear enough for positive ID’s, but all the 6 Lake Torpedo Boat Co. O-class boats: O-11 (SS-72), O-12 (SS-73), O-13 (SS-74), O-14 (SS-75), O-15 (SS-76) & O-16 (SS-77) were assigned there for the bulk of their active service before being scrapped in 1924.		Photo i.d. courtesy of Ric Hedman & David Johnston.
Record Group 18: Records of the Army Air Forces, ca. 1902 - 1964
Series: "Airscapes" of American and Foreign Areas, 1917 - 1964
File Unit: Panama Canal Zone - Coco Solo
Local Identifier: 18-AA-108-33
National Archives Identifier: 68147899
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
O-11 through O-16 81k O boats possibly in Phila. PA circa 1924:
From inboard to outboard: unidentified O boat, O-11 (SS-72), O-12 (SS-73), O-16 (SS-77) & O-14 (SS-75). 		USN photo submitted by Charles Worcester.
O-12 97k O-12 (SS-73) shown here in her decommissioned state at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Moored to the right in the photo is most likely the ex-Tonopah (M-8) or Cheyenne (M-10). Both had been used as submarine tenders. Photo provided by the late Rick Larson MMCM (SS) (ret.) via Ric Hedman.
Sir Hubert Wilkins Arctic Expedition
O-12
0807330		 NR WILKINS SPEEDS PLANS FOR UNDERSEA EXPLORATION TRIP AT "TOP OF THE WORLD"
THE SUBMARINE, DEFENDER.
MAP SHOWING WILKINS’ FLIGHT AND PROPOSESED UNDERSEA DASH
DIVER DESCENDS FROM DEFENDER		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 21 March 1930, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12 633k Lady Wilkins, wife of Sir Hubert Wilkins stands below a bucketful of cracked ice to be used for the christening of the submarine Nautilus at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. USN photo thanks to Jim Kurrasch @ Battleship Iowa, Pacific Battleship Center.
O-12 742k (Original Caption) A bucketful of cracked ice was used for the christening at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for the submarine Nautilus, which had been fitted out for a trip this summer to the North Pole. Jean Jules Verne, grandson of the author of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea. aided Lady Wilkins, wife of Sir Hubert Wilkins, leader of the proposed Arctic expedition, in the ceremonies. Speeches were made by Sir Hubert, Verne and Captain Sloan Danenhower, commander of the vessel. Here is a general view showing the throngs getting a glimpse of the Nautilus being christened in the Navy Yard. Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images, courtesy of gettyimages.com.
O-12 418k 1 April: Tragedy marred the first trip of Sir Hubert Wilkins submarine Nautilus in which the explorer hopes to navigate beneath the Arctic ice, when Willard B. Grimmer, the twenty seven year old quartermaster of the submarine was swept overboard in New York harbour as the submarine made its way to the Brooklyn Navy yard for its christening. Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images, courtesy of gettyimages.com.
O-12 233k "Sir George Hubert Wilkins selects submarine at Navy Yard here for projected polar trip--A close-up of the conning tower of the decommissioned O-12 (SS-73) is at left, with a one-pound gun, tarpaulin-covered, in the foreground. If the Government grants the request, the service-scarred sub will be transferred to the U.S. Shipping Board, which will charter it to the proposed international geohpysical expedition to the Arctic regions, 14 May 1930. Photo courtesy of the George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs @ digital.library.temple.edu
O-12
0807331		 NR SUBMARINE SOUGHT BY WILKINS
United States submarine, O-12 (SS-73), sought by the Sir Hubert Wilkins expedition for a proposed cruise beneath the ice across the top of the world from Spitsbergen, via the north pole, to the Bering sea. The submersible, if made available, would be entirely rebuilt and fitted with machinery for boring through ice 50 feet thick.		 Image and text provided by State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Photo from The Bismarck Tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 24 May 1930, Image 9, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807325		 NR Noted English Explorer Plans to Sail Under Polar Ice in Battered U-Boat
Captain Sir Hubert Wilkins, of Arctic and Antarctic Fame Seeks Charter on the Old United States Submarine, the O-12 (SS-73), in Which He Plans to Sail to Behring Straits Under Ice.		 Image and text provided by Alaska State Library Historical Collections.
Photo from The Daily Alaska Empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 06 June 1930, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12 224k O-12 (SS-73) was discarded in 1930 to be rebuilt by Lake & Danenhower Inc., of Bridgeport CT., for the Wilkins Artic expedition. Lake had long thought about submarine operations under ice; in 1903, he built a trestle atop his Protector and deliberately operated her in iced waters. The Nautilus conversion, shown here, was far more sophisticated. Drawing by Jim Christley, text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Through 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. Naval Institute Press.
O-12
0807324		 NR EXPLORER INSPECTS SUB FOR POLAR USE Image and text provided by Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT.
Photo from New Britain Herald. (Bridgeport, Conn.) [volume] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 08 August 1930, Second Section, Image 24, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807319		 3.92k Two Thosand Miles by Submarine Under The Artic Ice With Sir Herbert Wilkins
The O-12 (SS-73) at dock. The Navy sub is being given protective reinforcement to fight heavy ice. 		Photo fix courtesy of my son in law, Roei Yehud
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 31 August 1930, Image 58 & Image 59, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12 179k 3 photo PDF of Man demonstrates the diving chamber on the Nautilus submarine, Men in the diving chamber & Men in the engine room, 12 December 1930.
"Trap door used by a diver, who in the [clipping missing] presented by Frank Perri, a ship's ca[clipping missing] picture visualizes the way in which a diver enters and re-enters the diving chamber." 		Photos courtesy of the George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs @ digital.library.temple.edu
O-12 295k The Nautilus, fore to aft view, 12 December 1930.
"Fore to aft view of the underwater craft as she looks in drydock at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. It is expected the task of conditioning the Nautilus, which was among the decommissioned subs, will be completed within a month. Before the craft goes North to undertake what no other craft of her kind was essayed, she will be given thorough trial tests in New England waters."		 Photo courtesy of the George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs @ digital.library.temple.edu
O-12 224k Nautilus crew stand below rudder and propeller, 15 December 1930.
"The Australian Arctic and Antarctic explorer is shown at right in photograph at the left, on the deck of the Nautilus, the former O-12 (SS-73) submarine, which he obtained from the Navy on charter and which is being remodeled in drydock for a proposed trip to Arctic waters next summer. Shown with the explorer are former Lieutenant Commander Isaac Schlossbach (left), of Bradley Beach N.J., in charge of the Nautilus in the absence of former Lieutenant Commander Sloan Danenhower, both of whom will go North in the craft, and Simon Lake (centre), veteran submarine inventor and builder, who is directing the remodeling. They are also shown inspecting the cigar-shaped afterpart of the Nautilus, suspended from which are the rudder and its supporting structure, with the propeller in the centre."		 Photo courtesy of the George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs @ digital.library.temple.edu
O-12 192k The Nautilus leaves Philadelphia Navy Yard for Camden, 9 January 1931.
"Polar sub leaves Philadelphia Navy Yard for Camden shipyard--Captain Sir George Hubert Wilkins' undersea boat, Nautilus, formerly the Navy O-12 (SS-73), is pictured under tow yesterday from the Navy Yard to the Mathis shipbuilding plant, where the craft will be given the finishing touches preparatory to the Arctic cruise scheduled for next summer. Five members of the crew are shown on the desk. They are Lieutenant Commander Ike Schlossback, second in command; Frank Crilley, diver and co-holder of the world's record for depth; 'Bong' Shadow, chief engineer; 'Bill' Danenhower, assistant engineer, and Ray Myers, electrician."		 Photo courtesy of the George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs @ digital.library.temple.edu
O-12 NR "STEEL FISH" IS ARMED FOR SUB-ICE POLAR TRIP
The boring conning lower of the submarine to be taken by Sir Herbert Wilkins (inset) on an Arctic scientific expedition, can drill upward through 13 feet of ice (sketch). The voyage is stated to begin at Spitzbergen—then under the North pole to Alaska.		 Image and text provided by University of Nevada Las Vegas University Libraries.
Photo from Las Vegas Age. [volume] (Las Vegas, Nev.) 1905-1947, 27 January 1931, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807328		 NR WILKINS’ POLAR SUBMARINE NEARING COMPLETION
The Nautilus, the former navy submarine O-12 (SS-73) is receiving its finishing touches at Camden, N. J. It's wooden superstructure, arching the length of the boat, will serve as runners while the submarine is traveling under the ice. Sir Hubert is inspecting one of the circular saws which will be used to bore through ice. 		Image and text provided by University of North Texas; Denton, TX.
Photo from Brownsville Herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 28 January 1931, Image 10, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807340		 NR Sir HUBERT WILKINS writes of his GREAT ADVENTURE. Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 11 February 1931, Image 10, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807336		 NR Inverted Sled" Riding Bottom of Ice Ceiling, Is Soon to Be Tested for Trip Under North Pole During Present Year
The Sir Hubert Wilkins submarine, equipped for probably the strangest of ail scientific voyages from Spitzbergcn to Alaska, has a bow that acts as a shock absorbed, and her back is a sled for riding under imprisoning ice. She can drill a 13-foot long manhole through ice above, or thrust air pipes up 100 feet.		 Image and text provided by Alaska State Library Historical Collections.
Photo from The Daily Alaska Empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 18 February 1931, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12 379k Exterior of the Nautilus with men working on side to prepare the submarine for northern expedition, 1931. Photo courtesy of the George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs @ digital.library.temple.edu
O-12 434k Length view of the Nautilus submarine while workers prepare her for expedition to North Pole, 1931. Photo courtesy of the George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs @ digital.library.temple.edu via Mike Green.
O-12
0807338		 NR Polar Sub Readied for Trip
SIR HUBERT WILKINS’ SUBMARINE AT BROOKLYN NAVY YARD
THE SUBMARINE Nautilus which Sir Hubert Wilkins will use on a trip to the North Pole is shown at Brooklyn Navy Yard where it will be christened today and final preparations made for the journey. Willard B. Grimmer, quartermaster of the craft, was swept overboard during the trip from Philadelphia to New York and was drowned.		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 24 March 1931, Image 2, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807327		 NR Nautilus prepares for her voyage to the North Pole. The remodeled submarine, in which Sir Hubert Wilkins will attempt to reach the Pole under the ice, is seen leaving Camden, N. J., for final refitting at the Brooklyn Navy Yard before the hazardous venture this Summer. Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 29 March 1931, Image 106, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807326		 NR POLAR SUBMARINE CHRISTENED
Cracked ice made to crash against the bow by the hand of Lady Wilkins christened the submarine Nautilus in which Sir Hubert Wilkins and his party will attempt to reach the north pole under the ice. Jean Jules Verne, grandson of the novelist, who came from France to assist in the ceremonies, is standing beside Lady Wilkins. Picture was taken at Brooklyn navy yard.		 Image and text provided by State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Photo from The Bismarck Tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1 April 1931, Image 6, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12 NR Synthetic Air Thwarts Death Under Seas
New Idea of Substituting Helium for Nitrogen in Divers Helmets Eliminates Deadly "Bends" and Brings Within Range Sunken Treasure Ships Heretofore Regarded as Inaccessible
Capt. Sloan Danenhower, first to test the new synthetic air diving equipment.
Sir George Hubert Wilkins inspecting the submarine in which he expects to travel to polar regions.		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 05 April 1931, Image 80, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12 382k Sir Hubert Wilkins submarine Nautilus is half submerged during it trial trip at sea. Photo by Schenectady Museum; Hall of Electrical History Foundation/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images, courtesy of gettyimages.com.
O-12
0807334		 NR WILKINS’ POLAR SUB GIVEN FINAL TESTS
THE SUBMARINE which Sir Hubert Wilkins will use in his trip to the North Pole this summer is undergoing a series of tests in New York. Wilkins is shown on the submarine as it leaves Yonkers for a trip up the Hudson. Simon Lake, inventor of an ice drill, is shown demonstrating the drill which will be taken on the polar jaunt. Frank Crilley, noted diver, a member of the party, looks at surroundings from the mouth of the ice drill.		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 04 May 1931, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
SS 73 932k Polar Sub Can Drill Through Ice", April 1931, Popular Science cutaway drawing, April 1931. PDF courtesy of en.wikipedia.org.
O-12
0807332		 NR ZEPPELIN TO MAKE CONTACT WITH WILKINS’ SUBMARINE AT NORTH POLE
A SCIENTIFIC AIR EXPEDITION to the Arctic regions in the Graf Zeppelin will be made in July, according to an announcement by Dr. Hugo Eckener, commander of the Graf. The express purpose of the flight is to contact or meet Sir Hubert Wilkins, noted explorer, in the submarine Nautilus, at or near the North Pole. Lady Grace Drummond Hay, English writer will make the flight on the Zeppelin. The flight is backed by the Hearst newspapers. The photos show Sir Hubert Wilkins, Lady Hay and Karl H. Von Wiegand, who will be special correspondent for the Hearst newspapers on the polar flight; the submarine Nautilus and the Graf Zeppelin; Dr. Hugo Eckener who will command the Zeppelin and Sloan Danenhower who will be in charge of the Nautilus crew.		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 07 May 1931, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807329		 NR GRAF AND NAUTILUS PLAN POLAR RENDEZVOUS
The German airship, Graf Zeppelin, expects te start from Frledrlchshafen, Germany, in July and prceed to Spitsbergen where it will moor until the submarine Nautilus nears the north pole with Sir Hubert Wilkins’ expedition. The Graf Zeppelin and the submarine are expected to reach the pole at the same time. Sir Hubert Wilkins (left) is in command of the Nautilus and Dr. Hugo Eckener (right) is master of the Graf Zeppelin. The Nautilus will continue to Alaska while the Graf Zeppelin will return.		 Image and text provided by University of North Texas; Denton, TX
Photo from Brownsville Herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 24 May 1931, EARLY SUNDAY EDITION, Image 16, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807335		 NR WILKINS POLAR SUBMARINE STARTS ON FIRST LEG OF JOURNEY
THE SUBMARINE NAUTILUS today started on her epic voyage to the North Pole. With Sir Hubert Wilkins,famous explorer, and Sloan Danenhower in command, the polar sub is speeding across the Atlantic to London on the first leg of the journey to the top of the earth. After the London visit the submarine will head for Bergen, Norway, where the final stores and Arctic gear will be taken aboard and final plans made for the dive under the Arctic ice. The photos show the polar sub and Lady Hubert Wilkins, wife of the explorer, who is confident that the trip will be a success. Ralph Shaw, submarine expert, is chief engineer of the cruise; Frank Crilley, master diver, is a member of the expedition; Sloan Danenhower, former naval officer, and Sir Hubert are in command of the submarine		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 05 June 1931, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12 179k A dramatic moment in two lives. Sir Hubert Wilkins, who will lead the hazardous attempt to reach the North Pole by submarine this Summer, bidding good-by to his wife on the pier at New London. Conn., just before leaving for the adventure in the submarine Nautilus. © Associated Press Photo.
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 14 June 1931, Image 107, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
SS 73 932k ex O-12 (SS-73) crossing ocean from New London to North Pole before it broke down and was towed to Ireland. Wilkins in command, June 1931. Photo courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection via Sean Hert & flickr.com.
O-12
0807333		 NR Zeppelin Drops Plan to Meet Wilkins at North Pole
THE SUBMARINE NAUTILUS, which will be used by Sir Hubert Wilkins in his dash to the North Pole, is being towed by the Wyoming (BB-32) after the sub was temporarily disabled by engine trouble while en route to England.		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 15 June 1931, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807337		 NR FIRST PICTURE OF SUBMARINE SAFE IN QUEENSTOWN HARBOR.
BUFFETED BY HEAVY SEAS in mid-Atlantic after her engines became disabled, the Arctic submarine Nautilus was finally towed to Queenstown, Ireland, by the Wyoming (BB-32). Sir Hubert Wilkins is shown with members of the crew after their harrowing experience. Following repairs the submarine will continue on her trip to the North Pole. Sir Hubert believes the most perilous part of the journey is over.		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 29 June 1931, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807343		 NR Nautilus Given "Lift" at Midsea
WYOMING (BB-32) STANDING BY SUBMARINE
AN AUXILIARY CUTTER from the Wyoming is here shown taking a light line to the Nautilus after Sir Hubert Wilkins had flashed word that his submarine was in distress in mid-Atlantic. A heavy hawser was later hauled from the rescue ship and the craft towed to port.		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 07 July 1931, Image 2, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12 402k (Original Caption) Sir Hubert Wilkins is shown with radio expert R. Meyers, and Frank Crilley, deep sea diver, about to toss overboard the 'Stars and Stripes' and the American Society of Elks emblem in the Arctic waters at the northernmost point of their dash toward the North Pole, in the submarine Nautilus. The other two crew members were not identified. Photo by Bettmann/Getty Image, courtesy of gettyimages.com.
O-12 263k (Original Caption) On 4 June 1931, the submarine Nautilus which had been rented from the United States Navy, left Provincetown, Massachusetts, on the first leg of a journey which was destined to take it to within a few hundred miles of the North Pole. Sir Hubert Wilkins, veteran air explorer was in command of this, the first attempt to explore the polar area from a submarine. Although the pole was not reached, Sir Hubert and his scientific staff obtained much data of scientific value. The sub returned to civilization in September after experiencing some hair-raising adventures and escapes from death. In the above picture, the Nautilus is shown amid Polar ice, about to plunge to the bottom of the Polar sea. The insert shows Sir Hubert Wilkins Photo by Bettmann/Getty Image, courtesy of gettyimages.com.
O-12 384k U.K., 5 August - Sir Hubert Wilkins in his polar exploration submarine Nautilus, with which he is to attempt to cross the North Pole arrived at Bergen, Norway. Photo by Planet News Archive/SSPL/Getty Image, courtesy of gettyimages.com.
O-12
0807339		 NR Nautilus Sails From Norway for Polar Trip
SUBMARINE ESCORTED BY DESTROYER
The submarine Nautilus, commanded by Sir Hubert Wilkins, sailed from Bergen, Norway, today on its projected trip under the ice to the North Pole. Hundreds of persons cheered the vessel as it was escorted to the sea.		 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 06 August 1931, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12 384k U.K., 20 August: Sir Hubert Wilkins polar submarine Nautilus leaving Tromsoe, Norway, for the final stages of its journey to the North Pole and its adventurous attempt to pass under the polar ice. Photo by Planet News Archive/SSPL/Getty Image, courtesy of gettyimages.com.
O-12
0807342		 NR Nautilus Not Heard Of In Four Days.
Ready fop its daring dip under the Arctic ice, Sir Hubert Wilkins’submarine Nautilus is shown above as it departed from Tromsoc, Norway, on the final stages of its voyage to polar regions. 		Image and text provided by Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT.
Photo from The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 04 September 1931, Image 9, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807344		 NR Wilkins Back, Plans Second Voyage.
He came back safely from his unsuccessful attempt to dive under Arctic ice to the North Pole, and now Lady Wilkins hasn’t anything to worry about until her explorer-husband. Sir Hubert Wilkins, makes another attempt with a new submarine. The couple here are pictured as they arrived in New York after the expedition had been disbanded at Spitsbergen.		 Image and text provided by Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT.
Photo from The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 13 October 1931, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807341		 NR End Of a Great Adventure.
Doomed to a watery grave, only the stern of the submarine Nautilus remained above the surface when this picture was taken of the scuttling of the vessel off the Norwegian coast. Mechanical defects which prevented the success of Sir Hubert Wilkins’ attempted under-sea voyage to the North Pole had rendered the craft useles.		 Image and text provided by Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT.
Photo from The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 03 December 1931, Image 5, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12 NR Sub's Navigator on Polar Trip Finds Setting Type Warmer
Harry W. Ross, who was navigator and chief officer of Sir Hubert Wilkins' Polar expedition submarine, the Nautilus, shown at work at The Star. 		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 05 January 1941, Image 28, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-12
0807345		 NR Sir Hubert Wilkins, 70, Polar Explorer, Dead.
 Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 01 December 1958, Images 1 & 33 courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Wilkins"</a
0857873a		 NR North Pole Ceremony
In a message received hereby the Navy, Comdr. Calvert said: "On March 17, 50 years after Commodore Robert) Peary. Skate (SSN-578)was on the surface of the North Pole. In a solemn memorial ceremony conducted by Skate shortly after surfacing, the ashes of Sir Hubert Wilkins were scattered at the North Pole in accordance with his last wishes."
Comdr. Calvert knew Sir Hubert personally. The veteran explorer had visited the commander aboard the Skate last year.		Navy Photo.
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 28 March 1959, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
Wilkins"</a
0857873		 NR ARCTIC TRIBUTE TO EXPLORER
In half light on March 17, crew members of the Skate (SSN-578) pause in a voyage under the Arctic ice to carry out the last wish of the late Polar exployer, Sir Hubert Wilkins, by scattering his ashes at the North Pole. Comdr. J. F. Calvert, commander of the Skate, is standing directly under the numeral "7" conducting the service.		Navy Photo.
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 03 April 1959, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
View the O-12 (SS-73)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
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Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
PigBoats.COM TM, a Historic Look at Submarines
American Philosophical Society, Nautilus (Submarine) Photograph Collection 1931
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