Planning a submerged route around the world

A surface ship's circumnavigation could not simply be copied by a deeply submerged nuclear submarine. Sandblast broadly followed Magellan, but its route had to account for underwater passages, safe depth, observation goals, and continuous concealment. The famous photograph of Beach plotting alone was probably staged after the work was complete. A practical route would have depended on the navigating officer, executive officer, deputies, and embarked hydrographic specialists. The image therefore opens a useful distinction between command responsibility and the staff work behind a naval plan.