James Calvert’s “SURFACE AT THE POLE: THE EXTRAORDINARY VOYAGES OF THE USS SKATE”
Book review by Dennis D. McDonald
This book touches on three of my favorite book genres:
1. Submarines
2. Arctic exploration
3. Seafaring
The story: in the late 1950s one of the U.S. Navy‘s first nuclear submarines, the USS Skate, is sent on voyages to explore under the ice surrounding the North Pole and, if possible, surface at the exact North Pole itself. Two voyages are described, one in “Summer“ and the other in “Winter.“
The author’s keen writing (Calvert was captain on both the voyages) makes both the adventure and the danger come alive for the reader. Elements of science, machinery, weather, the crew, shipboard routine, new technology, danger, and ice ice ice are all woven together seamlessly. These were great adventures and the author provides a ringside seat.
I find it difficult to pick a favorite story point there are so many. Especially interesting are these:
Using experimental technology to locate openings in the ice large enough for the submarine to surface.
The constant presence of jellyfish near the undersurface of the ice.
Breaking through thin ice – from below.
The author’s description of the strange arctic environment when viewed from the surfaced submarine.
Permeating this well written tale are references to previous explorers who attempted similar feats of reaching the pole but with much less sophisticated and advanced technology.
Another thing that comes through: the author is well aware of his and his crew’s privileged position to have a nuclear submarine’s advanced technology at their disposal. While these events occurred 60 years ago, we are still battling nature, even more now than in the past.
Review copyright © 2021 by Dennis D. McDonald
