World’s First Arctic Submarine Expedition to be Discussed at UAB

In 1931, Australian-born explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins and his team attempted to cross the Arctic Ocean by way of the North Pole in the decommissioned WWI submarine, Nautilus. Critics called the expedition a publicity stunt. While Wilkins made it to the Arctic Ocean, the attempt failed. Was it sabotage?

      March 11, 2008

In 1931, Australian-born explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins and his team attempted to cross the Arctic Ocean by way of the North Pole in the decommissioned WWI submarine, Nautilus. Critics called the expedition a publicity stunt. While Wilkins made it to the Arctic Ocean, the attempt failed. Was it sabotage?

Oceanographer and historian Stewart Nelson, author of the book "Sabotage in the Arctic: The Fate of the Submarine Nautilus," will recount Wilkins' failed expedition. Nelson also will discuss his own experiences as co-leader and scientific adviser of Project Nautilus in 2005 that successfully rediscovered and documented the Nautilus, the world's first Arctic submarine, off the coast of Bergen, Norway. Nelson is a fellow of the Marine Technology Society, a National Fellow of the Explorers Club and former president of the American Oceanic Organization.

The lecture will be on Tuesday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Heritage Hall, Room 102, 1401 University Blvd. The lecture is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) History Department. Nelson's book will be available for purchase and signing by the author. Refreshments will be served.

For more details, contact the UAB History Department at 205-934-5634 or e-mail Jerry P. Smith at jpsmith@uab.edu.