Around the World Submerged: The Voyage of the Triton

^{Photo by J. Baylor Roberts, © National Geographic Society}

Wallowing along through the choppy waters of the Indian Ocean, just south of the Cape of Good Hope, this tanker was completely unaware that he had a visitor.

^{Photo by J. Baylor Roberts, © National Geographic Society}

When we reached the coast of Spain, off Cadiz, the destroyer John W. Weeks sent out a long boat to secure the plaque we had cast for presentation to the Spanish government in commemoration of Magellan’s historic voyage. Coming aboard a partially emerged submarine can be hazardous, as these dunked seamen discovered. It was a good thing we were hove to.

The inscription on the plaque reads:

“Hail, Noble Captain,

It Is Done Again.”

^{General Dynamics}

To each of the crew members who participated in the Triton’s voyage a commemorative medallion was presented. Here, Engineman First Class Walter J. Allen receives his medal.

^{Photo by J. Baylor Roberts, © National Geographic Society}

About the Author

Generally known as the author of Submarine!, a vivid account of submarine action during World War II, and Run Silent, Run Deep, a best-selling novel, Captain Edward L. Beach, USN, is nevertheless one of the most experienced submarine commanders in our modern Navy. Since 1939, when he was commissioned upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy, he has served as executive officer of the submarines Trigger and Tirante during World War II, and as Commanding Officer of the submarines Piper, Amberjack, Trigger, and Triton, as well as the fleet oiler, Salamonie.

Born in New York City and raised in California, the son of an equally famous naval officer and writer, he has served additionally as Aide to the Chief of Naval Personnel and, from 1953 to 1957, as Naval Aide to the President of the United States. He holds six decorations for combat, among them the Navy Cross and two Silver Stars. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for Triton’s circumnavigation.

He and his wife, the former Ingrid Bergstrom Schenck of Palo Alto, California, have three children, two boys and a girl.

About the Publisher

The Naval Institute Press is the book-publishing arm of the U.S. Naval Institute, a private, nonprofit, membership society for sea service professionals and others who share an interest in naval and maritime affairs. Established in 1873 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where its offices remain today, the Naval Institute has members worldwide.

Members of the Naval Institute support the education programs of the society and receive the influential monthly magazine Proceedings and discounts on fine nautical prints and on ship and aircraft photos. They also have access to the transcripts of the Institute’s Oral History Program and get discounted admission to any of the Institute-sponsored seminars offered around the country.

The Naval Institute also publishes Naval History magazine. This colorful bimonthly is filled with entertaining and thought-provoking articles, first-person reminiscences, and dramatic art and photography. Members receive a discount on Naval History subscriptions.

The Naval Institute’s book-publishing program, begun in 1898 with basic guides to naval practices, has broadened its scope in recent years to include books of more general interest. Now the Naval Institute Press publishes about one hundred titles each year, ranging from how-to books on boating and navigation to battle histories, biographies, ship and aircraft guides, and novels. Institute members receive discounts of 20 to 50 percent on the Press’s more than eight hundred books in print.

Full-time students are eligible for special half-price membership rates. Life memberships are also available.