calm. It is therefore the submarine that we should choose for our first 

 attempts. 



For the moment, let us give our imagination free rein. This is what 

 Captain Nemo will invent tomorrow. 



We are at Le Havre. The Dolphin^ the first submersible passenger- 

 ship, is at the wharf, ready to get under way for her inaugural voyage. 

 She is going to cross the Atlantic. The passengers are moving about in 

 the saloons and cabins. We cast off: a slight rolling is felt. The weather 

 forecast is not very reassuring. A timid passenger is wondering how he 

 is going to stand the pitching and swell on the high seas. The steward 

 guesses how he is feeling. 



* Don't worry, you'll feel absolutely nothing. At the moment we are 

 being towed out of port ... we are diving now. Look at this pressure 

 gauge: we are already 27 fathoms down. Do you feel the slightest 

 movement } ' 



*No, indeed, it's absolutely calm.' 



* This calm will last until we reach the roads outside New York. Here 

 is the tachometer. You can see that we are going along at 60 knots.' 



'How is it possible? To get up such a speed you would need an 

 engine of enormous power. Your rates are lower than those of ordinary 

 steamers.' 



* It's natural that we can give you rates lower than those of our com- 

 petitors. The Dolphin has a low-powered engine and besides it can 

 make two crossings while the others are making only one. And finally, 

 since our trip does not even last two days, our passengers do not 

 require so much comfort as on a de luxe steamer. We have neither a 

 solarium nor a bathing pool.' 



'But this crossing must be very dangerous. We might run into a 

 naval submarine whose time-table is unknown to you.' 

 *Do you see this luminous screen.'^' 



* Is it a television screen.'*' 



*No, it is an echo sounder. You know that radar cannot be used 

 under water. But because of the ultrasonic waves which we emit, 

 each ship — by reflecting them — here shows itself by a white spot, and 

 that happens as soon as it is less than 3 miles from us. We can deter- 

 mine its exact situation by the position of the white spot on the screen. 

 And here, you see, the distance that separates us from the bottom of the 

 sea is continuously indicated. Thus you need have no fear of any 

 unpleasant encounters.' 



[ 140 ] 



