This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:16:46
The video chronicles the ambitious but ultimately ill-fated 1931 Arctic submarine expedition led by Sir Hubert Wilkins. Aiming to explore the uncharted Arctic by traversing under the ice, Wilkins equipped a refitted World War One-era submarine, the Nautilus, with specialized modifications thanks to naval architect Simon Lake. Financially supported partly by media magnate William Randolph Hearst, the mission aimed to capture public fascination and secure funding through exclusive reporting rights.
Despite meticulous preparations, the expedition faced numerous mechanical failures and harsh conditions. The crew endured severe storms, sanitary issues, and demoralization, compounded by the repeated failures of critical equipment like the ice drills. The Nautilus, plagued with technical issues and suspected sabotage, struggled to achieve its scientific goals. Eventually, Wilkins was forced to abort the mission, although they had ventured further into the Arctic than any submarine before it.
The submarine’s failure culminated in Wilkins’ financial ruin and diminished reputation. Notably, decades later, the nuclear-powered USS Nautilus succeeded where Wilkins had failed, completing the first polar crossing. The original Nautilus was ultimately scuttled, and Wilkins’ legacy faded, with his ashes poignantly scattered at the North Pole by the USS Skate crew.
The video concludes with a promotional segment for the Nebula streaming platform, emphasizing its diverse content and creator-owned model.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, in August 1931, a submarine embarks on an expedition to the largely unexplored Arctic, aiming to uncover its mysteries. The explorers intend to travel thousands of kilometers under the ice in harsh conditions. Historically, numerous attempts to reach the North Pole ended in tragedy, with hundreds perishing. Sir Hubert Wilkins, an accomplished explorer, believed that using a submarine equipped with scientific instruments was the best approach to reach and study the North Pole, given its location in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. Wilkins’ plan involved a six-week journey zigzagging under the ice before ending in Alaska. To finance the expedition, Wilkins used his savings, raised funds through lecturing and writing, and struck a deal with newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst for exclusive publishing rights, capitalizing on media sensationalism to secure the necessary backing.
00:03:00
In this segment, the video examines Wilkins’ preparations for his North Pole expedition using the heavily modified World War One-era submarine, the Nautilus. The Nautilus, revamped by naval architect Simon Lake, was outfitted with several modifications to tackle the Arctic’s treacherous conditions, such as reinforced steel plates, sledge runners, a hydraulic impact absorber, and drills to bore through ice for surfacing. The crew also had a pressurized diving chamber to conduct underwater tasks. Despite these enhancements, Wilkins had concerns about some features, fearing they could pose risks. Notably, he wanted a photosensitive cell to measure ice thickness, but Lake, holding the final decision, denied this addition. The segment concludes with Wilkins’ apprehensions as the expedition prepared to embark.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, Wilkins encounters numerous problems with his sub-chartered submarine, plagued by mechanical issues and non-functional ice drills. Despite delays and extensive repairs, Wilkins decides it’s time to depart to meet the Graf Zeppelin at the North Pole, hoping to secure Hearst’s prize money. The transatlantic journey proves grueling; the tiny, cramped submarine is battered by fierce storms, causing virtually everyone to get seasick and dealing with a failed bilge pump that creates unsanitary conditions. Engine failures eventually leave the submarine adrift, and it has to be towed by the Battleship Wyoming. The setbacks result in four crew members quitting and the need for major repairs, ultimately costing Wilkins the prize money and tarnishing his reputation in the media.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, Sir Hubert Wilkins faces mounting challenges during his Arctic submarine expedition. Despite his submarine’s dysfunctions, a demoralized crew, and approaching winter, Wilkins perseveres. On July 28th, the expedition departed, and by August 15th, it reached the last inhabited land before the Arctic, with positive reports starting to emerge. By August 19th, they encountered the first ice flows, and the crew collected valuable scientific data. By August 22nd, the Nautilus aimed to dive beneath the ice but faced a malfunction due to a missing diving rudder—suspected to be sabotage. With the crew’s condition deteriorating and external pressure from the Hearst corporation to continue, Wilkins faced a dire choice: either risk the crew’s lives or face financial ruin by returning home.
00:12:00
In this segment, Wilkins orders the Nautilus to submerge by flooding the ballast tanks and setting the trim down by two degrees, intending to ram under the ice. The sub’s sledge runners scrape against the ice, creating a sound that makes it seem as though the vessel is being torn apart. Despite setbacks and a seemingly hopeless situation, Wilkins is determined to continue. The crew struggles unsuccessfully for hours with ice drills that keep jamming. On September 6th, Wilkins admits defeat and ends the Arctic trip, having taken the Nautilus where no submarine had gone before. Decades later, the nuclear-powered USS Nautilus makes the first successful polar crossing in 1958. The original Nautilus is deemed too damaged to save and is sunk off the coast of Norway. Wilkins, once a renowned explorer, dies financially ruined and largely forgotten. His ashes are scattered at the North Pole by the USS Skate crew. The segment ends by mentioning a Soviet project to launch artificial suns to industrialize space.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses upcoming exclusive content on Nebula, a streaming platform. They highlight a variety of fascinating projects and concepts like the F-117 Nighthawk, the MiG-31 Foxhound, the M-50 Bounder, and the Lockheed CL-1201. The platform has recently added new categories such as History and Science, and includes a news section curated by TLDR News. Nebula is notable for being creator-owned, allowing for direct support and funding of high-quality projects. Subscription options are flexible, including monthly, yearly, and Lifetime memberships, with a special offer available through the provided link.