even though arkhipov was second-in-command of the submarine "b-59", he was in fact commodore of the entire submarine flotilla, including "b-4", "b-36" and "b-130". according to author edward wilson, the reputation arkhipov had gained from his courageous conduct in the previous year's "k-19" incident also helped him prevail. arkhipov eventually persuaded savitsky to surface and await orders from moscow. this effectively averted the general nuclear war which probably would have ensued if the nuclear weapon had been fired. the submarine's batteries had run very low and the air-conditioning had failed, causing extreme heat and high levels of carbon dioxide inside the submarine. they were forced to surface amid the american pursuers and return to the soviet union as a result.