Fiction meets Innovation: Jules Verne’s underwater dream versus early Submarine design

The hull of Verne’s Nautilus was made of steel and was designed to withstand extreme pressures at great depths. The ship was large and sleek, measuring 70 meters long and 8 meters wide, closer resembling a modern submarine rather than any submarine of the time. It is described in the book as; 

“an enormous thing,” a long object, spindle-shaped, occasionally phosphorescent, and infinitely larger and more rapid in its movements than a whale.  

The Nautilus had a double hull, to facilitate water tanks. This is also seen in early submarines that were built close to the publication of the book, such as Wilhelm Bauer’s Brandtaucher (1850, Germany) and Narcis Monturiol’s Ictíneo I (1859, Spain) and Ictíneo II (1864, Spain). 

Propulsion 

Up until 1863 every submarine designed was propelled by manpower.  

The American submarine, HL Hunley built in 1863 was propelled by her crew of 9, turning the crankshaft inside. 

Depth and Range 

Early submarines struggled with depth limitations. The Turtle (1776) could only descend a few feet, and even later designs could only operate at shallow depths due to structural limitations and the need to surface frequently for air. 

However, the Nautilus could dive to great depths, far beyond what any real submarine of the time could achieve, and stay submerged for extended periods of time. Like its real-world counterparts, the Nautilus had water filled compartments, like ballast tanks, and powerful pumps to expel the water from. Jules Verne also pre-empted the use of hydroplanes, which until this time had not been used in submarine design: 

“But I can also make the Nautilus rise and sink, and sink and rise, by a vertical movement by means of two inclined planes fastened to its sides, opposite the centre of flotation, planes that move in every direction, and that are worked by powerful levers from the interior. If the planes are kept parallel with the boat, it moves horizontally. If slanted, the Nautilus, according to this inclination, and under the influence of the screw, either sinks diagonally or rises diagonally as it suits me.” 

- Captain Nemo, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Weaponry and Purpose 

Early submarines were generally built with military applications in mind. Bushnell’s Turtle was the first submarine to ever carry out a submerged attack, designed to attach explosives to enemy ships during the American Revolution in 1776. The submarine would manoeuvre underneath the enemy ship by peddling and then screw a bomb up into the ship’s hull. 

The same tactic was utilised almost 100 years later during the American Civil War. The HL Hunley submarine attacked with a large mine on a harpoon that was rammed against the target’s side. She was the first submarine to successfully sink an enemy ship, the USS Housatonic in 1864. Although the submarine did not have time to back away, and was caught in the blast. 

 

However, its primary function was exploration, not warfare. Verne imagined a submersible that could explore the ocean floor and travel around the world. 

 

Life Support and Comfort 

Early submarines offered little in terms of comfort. The crew endured cramped, hazardous conditions, and oxygen was typically limited to the air already contained within the vessel, necessitating frequent resurfacing. The idea of extracting oxygen from water was well beyond early submarine technology. 

Verne envisioned the Nautilus as being self-sufficient, with systems to extract oxygen from seawater, advanced ventilation, and the ability to recycle air. The vessel was also luxuriously appointed with a library, art collection, and spacious living quarters. 

 

Conclusion 

The Nautilus in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was far ahead of its time in terms of technological concepts and engineering. It predicted many developments in submarine design, such as electric propulsion, long-duration submersion, and life-support systems, all of which wouldn’t become a reality until decades later.  

Early submarines, in contrast, were experimental, rudimentary, and limited by the technology of the 18th and 19th centuries. They were designed primarily for short, shallow dives and often for military use, rather than the extended exploration depicted by Verne. 

The first British submarine was launched 31 years after its publication in 1901. Although smaller and more limited than Verne’s Nautilus, HMS Holland 1 was the first step towards the modern submarine. You can see it today on display at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum.  

 

The Holland 1 submarine, on display at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum