Name
of Interviewee: Captain William Anderson
Name
of Interviewer: Raimund E. Goerler
Date
of Interview: March 15, 2000
Place
of Interview: Anderson home in Oakton, VA.
Number
of Tapes:1 (2 sides)
Restrictions:
No
Cataloged
: No
Transcribed:
No
Abstract
of Contents:
The
interview focuses almost entirely upon Anderson’s role as captain of the
nuclear submarine Nautilus in crossing from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean on
August 3, 1958. The project was from Anderson’s desire to do something
distinctive with the submarine and from President Eisenhower’s desire to have
a technological accomplishment for the United States at the time of Sputnik
Topics
include planning for the expedition, unsuccessful efforts, fears that the Navy
would cancel the expedition after the first failure, and the importance of Dr.
Waldo Lyon in developing the special instruments that enabled the submarine to
measure ice thickness and plot the Barrow Sea Canyon.
Also
of interest are comments about Admiral Rickover and the latter’s struggle for
recognition. Anderson observed that
the successful expedition brought about a promotion in rank for Rickover but
hindered Anderson’s career because of resentfulness about the publicity he
gained.