The Nautilus (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Jules Verne)

Nautilus

Basics

• Name/Model of the Vehicle/Machinery: Nautilus
• Universe or Media in Which it Exists: "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" (book)
• Creator/Designer: Captain Nemo (Fictional); Jules Verne (Real-world)
• Type: Submarine
• Size: Length: 70 m (230 ft); Beam: 8 m (26 ft)
• Specifications: Steam engine, electricity production, luxury living quarters, library, art collection, air and water purification systems
• Key Operators/Owners: Captain Nemo

Snapshot

The Nautilus is a marvel of nautical engineering, reflecting the genius and idiosyncrasy of its creator, Captain Nemo. This long, cylindrical underwater vessel shimmers with an almost otherworldly elegance beneath the ocean waves. Its robust metal shell bristles with an array of instruments, windows, and hatches, hinting at the wondrous and advanced technology contained within. The Nautilus is not merely a machine, but a home, a sanctuary, and a testament to man's ability to conquer even the darkest depths of the sea.

Fictional History

The Nautilus was constructed on a deserted island by Captain Nemo and his crew, exiles who had renounced the surface world. First introduced in Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" (1870), the submarine embarks on a global underwater expedition, offering readers an unprecedented view of the ocean's mysteries. Over the course of the narrative, the Nautilus encounters various sea creatures, underwater ruins, and even the lost city of Atlantis, all while avoiding detection from the surface world.

Specifications

The Nautilus was advanced for its time, boasting technologies that far surpassed those of the 19th century. Powered by a steam engine that utilizes sea water, it generates electricity for propulsion, light, and the machinery aboard. It is equipped with a large salon, complete with a library and an art collection, a lavish dining room, private quarters, and even a machine for producing fresh air. The Nautilus also has the capability to dive to great depths, resist high water pressure, and navigate the world's oceans with relative ease.

Significance

The Nautilus has had a profound influence on both literature and society, inspiring numerous adaptations and interpretations, and stoking interest in submarine technology. The character of Captain Nemo and his vessel symbolize the dual nature of technological progress, offering a vision of both the incredible potential and the danger it can pose. In addition, the Nautilus serves as a metaphor for man's desire to explore and understand the world, pushing boundaries and seeking knowledge.

Appearances

The Nautilus has appeared in numerous adaptations of Verne's novel, including films, television series, and video games. It is also referenced in other works, notably Alan Moore's "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen", where it is Captain Nemo's primary means of transportation.

Related

• Images: [Gallery of the Nautilus from various adaptations]
• Related Entries: [Captain Nemo], [Jules Verne], [Submarine Technology in Literature]

Notes

• The Nautilus is considered a significant precursor to the modern conception of submarines, with its combination of offensive capabilities, self-sufficiency, and extensive onboard amenities.
• The name "Nautilus" comes from both the Latin form of the Greek word ναυτίλος, meaning sailor, and the name of a cephalopod with a spiral shell, symbolizing both the ship's nautical nature and its inspiration from the sea.

References

• Verne, Jules. "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." Pierre-Jules Hetzel, 1870.
• "The Nautilus and the Sea: Jules Verne and the Birth of the Modern Submarine." Maritime History Quarterly, vol. 29, no. 2, 2018, pp. 174-189.
• "Jules Verne: The Man Who Invented the Future." Biography, vol. 61, no. 6, 2019, pp. 84-91.

Appendix: Interior

The interior of the Nautilus is as fascinating as its exterior and technological prowess, reflecting Captain Nemo's refined taste, scholarly mind, and the necessities of underwater living. A central feature is the salon, a large and grand room that serves as the main social space on the submarine. The walls, embedded with mother-of-pearl and precious metals, shimmer in the electric light that floods the salon. The room is well-appointed with velvet and silk furnishings, and a glass ceiling allows for panoramic views of the sea life above.

A significant part of the salon is dedicated to Captain Nemo's impressive library, housing some 12,000 volumes of classic and contemporary literature, philosophy, and scientific works - an intellectual's paradise under the sea. Adjoining the library, an organ, upon which Nemo often plays solemn music, commands attention.

The salon also holds an extraordinary art collection, featuring priceless masterpieces believed lost to the surface world. Alongside the artworks, the room houses numerous marine specimens, both common and rare, offering a glimpse of the ocean's bountiful biodiversity.

Apart from the salon, the Nautilus houses comfortable and well-furnished staterooms for the crew and guests. Each room, complete with a bed, desk, and washbasin, is an epitome of functionality and compact luxury.

For sustenance, the Nautilus is equipped with a modern kitchen and a dining room, where meals made from ocean-provided delicacies are served. Captain Nemo's respect for the ocean is reflected in his culinary choices; the menu is strictly pescatarian, with a variety of fish, crustaceans, and sea plants.

The Nautilus also contains a cutting-edge engine room, navigational suite, and several other technical spaces that house the ship's propulsion and operational systems. Perhaps the most important of these is the air supply system, a sophisticated apparatus that produces breathable air by extracting and purifying the oxygen dissolved in the seawater.

Additionally, there is an equipment room with diving suits and equipment that enable the crew to venture outside the vessel, whether to explore, gather food, or perform maintenance on the ship's exterior.

In all, the Nautilus's interior is a marvel that combines utility, luxury, and a deep reverence for the oceanic world, making it much more than a mere vessel, but rather, a self-sufficient haven beneath the waves.