Surface at the Pole

The Extraordinary Voyages of the USS Skate

By: James Calvert

Narrated by: Tom Perkins

On 17 March 1959, the USS Skate became the first submarine to surface at the North Pole.

Under the guidance of James Calvert this nuclear submarine had navigated through polar ice packs, braved atrociously cold conditions, and broken through layers of thick ice to arrive at their destination; the northernmost point of the world.

This mission, however, was not just about completing a seemingly impossibly feat of Arctic exploration. It also had huge implications for military strategy during the height of the Cold War. Now that submarines were able to travel under and break through the ice, it gave the US military the capability of being avoid detection under the ice while being able to launch their Polaris missiles from points far closer to the Soviet Union.

James Calvert's remarkable account of his two voyages to the Arctic with the USS Skate provides vivid insight into life in a nuclear submarine and how these men were able to complete this treacherous mission.

Public Domain (P)2020 Tantor

Exploring The Arctic

interesting read about exploring the Arctic, in cluding the then raging debate on global warming- in 1958.

Fascinating story!

Great mix of history and personal accounts. Great book wish it was longer. Now I need to find more from captain James Calvert!

1959 submarine breaking Ice at the north pole

Great 1st hand account of the first submarine to surface at the north pole in winter (1959)

Disappointed

Narrator was not enjoyable. Not as well written as his book about the USS Jack

Re: A Great True Story and my review

Speeding up to 1.2 makes this narrator much better.

I’m listening now, I’m review later.