“Nautilus Arctic Passage” features the Cold War operation known as ‘Operation Sunshine’; a scientific expedition conducted by the US Navy in the summer of 1958. A crew of 100 piloted the world’s first nuclear submarine USS Nautilus (SSN-571) to the North Pole. As a result of, and after this expedition, Soviet and American submarines would vie for control over strategically critical Polar regions. Sperry Autotechnics (:55); the producer of the film, created the top secret inertial guidance system allowing the nautilus to navigate below the surface and without detection. The mission would be completed successfully on August 3rd, 1958. It aimed to prove the advancements of the technology of the USS Nautilus.
The film opens with images over icy Atlantic waters (:11). The USS Nautilus swims below undetected. Crew members (:35) operate gears 400 feet below the North Pole. Scenes flick to Pearl Harbor (1:00) on June 22nd, 1958. Hawaiian girls spin (1:14). The Nautilus surfaces (1:28). The announced destination was to be the equator; the actual destination was the arctic. The submarine hits thick ice sheets (1:48) on August 19th, 1957 leaving Groton. The commanding officer makes the call to wait at Pearl Harbor (2:14). Commander William Anderson and crew check equipment and routes (2:26). The navigator decides to fly up and look at the topside (2:33) of ice sheets. Images capture heavy ice pushing farther north (2:51). On July 22nd, 1958 the mission begins (3:11). Top speeds and operating depths (4:00) are discussed. Nautilus moves across the Bearing Straight for the Arctic Circle (4:41). The chef preps up meals (4:58). The Polar Pack (5:21) is pictured. Lt. Shepard Martin Jenks (5:27) and the Chief work to plot the course. Sirens (6:12) ring as the submarine submerges (6:16). The Nautilus sits under the ice for over 60 hours (6:49). Sonar is used to check the ocean floor (7:07). Tom Curtis (7:30) works to translate readings from the inertial navigator (7:37). Captain and Commander of the ship drop in during a crew celebration (8:52). Santa Claus pops in (9:07). Names of historical explorers appear in montage (9:38). The Nautilus pushes south (10:04). Mail shipped in for submariners arrives (10:37). The Nautilus surfaces on August 5th in the Greenland Sea (10:44). Commander Anderson was airlifted to Washington, D.C. (11:05) as the submarine continued for England. A bulletin (11:17) from August 19 informs the public Eisenhower delivered an award for Anderson of the USS Nautilus. Footage follows on the television screen of this event (11:35). Close shots appear of LA Times headlines (11:41). The Nautilus arrives in NY (11:52). Crowds applaud as Anderson steps ashore (12:11) alongside Admiral Rickover (12:13). Secretary of the Navy; Thomas Gates (12:19) leads other New York City officials for the welcome home celebration of the Nautilus. Sailors smooch their wives (12:45) and march down Broadway (13:00). This film was photographed by the US Naval Photographic Center (13:50).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
