In 1931, the Nautilus, an O-12 class submarine, was fitted out to undertake an expedition to gather meteorological and oceanographical information while venturing beneath polar ice floes to the north pole. Although the crew did gather some useful information, the expedition was fated to suffer delays, accidents, and perhaps even sabotage. Although mechanical problems ruined any hope of reaching the pole, by late August, 1931, the Nautilus had maneuvered to the edge of the Arctic ice cap and was able to dive beneath a few floes. On its return, however, damage from storms and engine failure led the crew to scuttle the ship a few miles off the coast of Bergen, Norway. The Nautilus Collection is comprised of approximately 60 photographs, plus assorted newspaper clippings, postcards, and a few other miscellaneous items. The photographs document the voyage of the Nautilus from Camden, New Jersey, to the Brooklyn Naval Yard, and New London, Connecticut, across the Atlantic to the Arctic regions. The collection includes formal and informal photographs of the submarine, its interior, and ice floes, along with portraits of many of the ship's officers.