Background
Anderson, William Robert was born on June 17, 1921 in Bakerville, Tennessee, United States. Son of David Hensley and Mary (McKelvey) Anderson.
("All hands. This is the Captain speaking. Our destination...)
"All hands. This is the Captain speaking. Our destination for this trip is Portland, England, via the North Pole . . . " From the dark waters of Puget Sound, Nautilus headed north toward the achievement of two historic goals - piercing the Pole and the completion of the first transpolar voyage from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Intricate preparations carried out under strictest secrecy behind them, the crew learned for the first time that the previously announced trip to Panama was a snare and a delusion. The response was superb. Cracked Robert E. Simonini: "I knew there was some reason I saved those two British pounds." Skipper of the Nautilus, Commander Anderson re-creates vividly life aboard the submarine, the suspense of Top Secret orders, the human and humorous incidents that passed the time of the crew, and the unparalleled adventure of the first probe when Nautilus came within 180 miles of the North Pole and fulfilled the Jules Verne dream in steaming its 20,000th league under the sea. He shares with the reader the excitement and tension of preparations, mishaps and repairs, omens good and bad, that filled the days before the dramatic announcement of destination NORTH POLE was made. Commander Anderson relates, with the immediacy of his on-the-scene participation in each moment, the narrow escapes, the special problems of navigation that had to be overcome, how special instruments were installed in secrecy, the "cover plan" that kept the whole Navy mum, and finally the incredible adventure itself. At 11:15 P.M. on Sunday, August 3, 1958, the first crossing under the North Pole was successfully completed, and Commander Anderson informed the world with the history-making code message "Nautilus 90 North." It all adds up to a rousing true story in which danger, excitement, and suspense will leave readers gasping. And more than that, readers will know that they have, in the pages of this book, lived through history in the making.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830640053/?tag=2022091-20
Anderson, William Robert was born on June 17, 1921 in Bakerville, Tennessee, United States. Son of David Hensley and Mary (McKelvey) Anderson.
Graduate, Columbia Military Academy, 1939. Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, United States Naval Academy, 1942. Doctor of Science, Defiance College, 1958.
Commissioned ensign United States Navy, 1942, advanced through grades to captain, 1960. Assigned submarines Tarpon, Narwhal, Trutta and 11 Pacific combat patrols, World World War II. Postwar service submarine Trutta, Sarda.
Commander attack submarine United States Ship Wahoo, Pearl Harbor, 1953-1955. Head tactical department Submarine School, 1955-1956. Staff naval reactors branch Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, 1956-1957.
Commander United States Ship Nautilus, 1957-1959. Retired United States Navy, 1962. Member United States Congress from 6th Tenn district, 1965—1973.
Co-founder Public Office Corporation.
(A Good copy of "[t]he most thrilling sea adventure of all...)
(hardcover book for a juvenile audience about the first su...)
(novel set on a submarine)
(A tale of adventure)
("All hands. This is the Captain speaking. Our destination...)
(paperbound)
United States House of Representatives 1964-1972.
Married Yvonne Etzel, June 10, 1943 (divorced April 1979). Children: Michael David, William Robert. Married Patricia Walters, December 26, 1980.
Children: Jane Hensley, Thomas McKelvey.