The Mysterious Island Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 105: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (36)
At this time, his originally calm gaze sometimes became agitated.Could he be thinking: This piece of Antarctic sea, which cannot be reached by manpower, is his homeland, and he is the master of these insurmountable spaces.He stood motionless on the platform for a long time, and only when he came to his senses and realized that he was the driver of the ship would he regain his composure and indifference, deftly command his "Nautilus", and deftly avoid those The impact of large icebergs, some icebergs are several nautical miles long and seven to eighty meters high.

On the sea at 60° south latitude, the front sometimes seems completely impassable, but Captain Nemo will search carefully, and soon he will find a narrow passage, so he steers the ship and boldly enters through the narrow passage.He was very familiar with the properties of icebergs, and knew that the narrow mouth would close after he passed.And so the Nautilus, under the command of its captain, went over all these great icebergs.

According to the shape and size of ice cubes, Conseil is happy to classify them, that is: mountain-shaped icebergs, flat ice fields, floating ice or drift ice, circular ice circles, which are elongated into The chunks are called ice streams.The outside temperature was quite low, and the thermometer was placed outside, showing minus two to three degrees Fahrenheit (equivalent to about minus twenty degrees Celsius).We wore sealskin and sea bearskin clothes, very warm. The "Nautilus" is often powered by electric motors to generate heat, so it is not afraid of severe cold.At the same time, if you want to maintain a suitable temperature for a human body, you only need to dive a few meters.

If it were two months earlier, it would be extremely daytime, with daylight 24 hours a day.Now there are three or four hours of darkness every day, and in the future, the days will be shorter and the nights will be longer.By the end of June, the Antarctic Circle will usher in a complete cold winter, when darkness and severe cold will completely cover these circumpolar circles. On March 6th we sailed past the South Shetland and South Orkney Islands.

At 3 o'clock in the morning on March 16, the "Nautilus" traveled south along 55° west longitude and passed the Antarctic Circle at 66° south latitude.The surrounding sea was full of ice, and it seemed that he couldn't find the way forward at once.Captain Nemo was calm, and directed the ship through narrow passages and continued on its way.

"Where is his destination?" I asked Conseil full of doubts.

"It must be somewhere ahead," Conseil replied. "When he reaches the point where he can go no further, he will stop going and turn back."

"It's hard to say about Captain Nemo," I said.

To be honest, I feel fresh and exciting from this indomitable adventure travel. These places I have never been to before, the strange scenery and various creatures make me addicted and intoxicated. Hope it stops at once.Right now, the surrounding icebergs have become more majestic. The icebergs here are like an ancient oriental city, and the countless spiers are the minarets of mosques;

Under the sunlight, these icebergs changed into various shapes and colors. After a while, these shapes and colors were shrouded in gray clouds brought by the big storm.The shape of icebergs is also changing all the time. Their interiors will split, burst open, collapse, and even the whole iceberg will turn over and dump into the sea water.The entire scene on the sea has also changed accordingly, looking from a distance, it looks like a transparent landscape oil painting.

When the surrounding icebergs collapse and overturn, the "Nautilus" will dive into the water in order to escape.The sound of the iceberg bursting will be transmitted underwater, which is very strong and amazing.The overturning of the iceberg caused a terrible water vortex, like a big bomb exploding in the water, the force penetrated the deep water layer, and the "Nautilus" swayed left and right under the impact of the water waves. It is important for us to stay in the cabin Hold on tight so you don't fall over.

Sometimes the water ahead was blocked by icebergs and the passage was no longer visible, and I thought we must be besieged.But the captain led by experience and instinct, and by some slight signs, such as the thin blue streaks of water on the iceberg, he could discover new passages.Therefore, I am sure that the captain has piloted the "Nautilus" before in this Antarctic water.

On March 3th, the ice field completely blocked our way. This is not an iceberg, but a large cold and wide ice field.This kind of obstacle could not stop Captain Nemo, and he ordered the "Nautilus" to rush towards the ice at full speed.The huge attack horn drove into the ice sheet like a wedge, and after a terrible cracking sound, the ice block was knocked open a crack.It was as if an ancient siege machine were crashing into the door of an enemy castle, and the Nautilus backed away, then sped forward again, sending shards of ice flying high into the air and falling all around us.Sometimes, because of the force of the impact, our ship will jump directly on top of the ice sheet, and its weight will directly fracture the ice sheet.Under such a terrible impact, the ice field quickly gave in and broke up completely, and our ship continued along the newly opened waterway.

The climate in Antarctica is changeable, sometimes it is sunny, and sometimes it is violent ice and snow.When the storm hit, it carried a lot of ice debris and was accompanied by thick clouds and fog. Standing at one end of the platform, it was impossible to see the other end clearly.In such extreme weather, a layer of hard snow and ice quickly froze on the outside of the hull, requiring a sharp shovel to shovel it open.In the low temperature of minus five degrees Fahrenheit, an ordinary sailboat cannot sail, because all the twisted ropes are frozen in the tackle ditch, and the cloth sail cannot be pulled up at all. Only an electric boat like the "Nautilus" can Will venture to such high latitudes.

At this time, the data of the barometer on the ship was very low, sometimes falling to 73°5′.The pointer on the compass is swinging left and right, without an accurate pointing, which is caused by the strong magnetic field of the South Pole.For the position of the South Pole magnetic circle, there have been many observation results in history, and the difference is not far away.Hanston's measurement shows that the south pole magnetic circle is located at 70° south latitude and 130° east longitude, while Du Beiwei's observation shows that the south pole magnetic circle is located at 135° east longitude and 70°30' south latitude.Due to the influence of the magnetic circle, the compass pointing is not stable. To measure the direction of the waterway we have traveled, the most appropriate way is to take the compass to different positions on the ship to measure one by one, and then take the average value as the result. Even this is difficult. satisfactory.

On March 3, the "Nautilus" returned without success after dozens of impacts. All around us was a giant iceberg that joined together, endlessly, and stood still.

"Iceberg!" said the Canadian in despair.

I knew that such an iceberg would be insurmountable for a man like Ned Land who had experienced sea water well.At noon, the sun came out, and Captain Nemo took the time to make an accurate measurement. Our position was 51°30' west longitude and 67°39' south latitude.We have penetrated deep into the heart of the Southern Ocean.

In the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, we are used to the endless flowing sea water, but here, the sea surface is gone, replaced by a vast and rugged ice sheet, floating in the sea water are mixed ice groups, messy and disordered ice slugs Squeezing and colliding with each other, it is like the ice flood of a frozen river before it thaws.Towering ice peaks can be seen everywhere, some as high as two hundred feet, tapering as they go up, like thin needles piercing the air.Looking around, there is a dazzling gray-white world all around. The sun is buried in the clouds and mist, only half of it is exposed, and the whole world looks desolate and desolate.Occasionally, a petrel or seagull flew by, and the vibration of their wings and their sharp calls were quickly frozen. The "Nautilus" seemed to be tired after a long journey of more than 1 miles. Completely stopped.

"Professor," Ned Land said to me, "if the captain can get the boat out of here."

"so what?"

"Then he's an outstanding character."

"Ned, why do you say that?"

"Because no one can cross the iceberg in front of him. Captain Nemo has strength, but he is still weak in front of nature. Where nature draws a stop line, he will always stop whether he wants to or not. "

"Ned, what you said makes sense, but I personally really want to see what it looks like behind the iceberg? I'm really uncomfortable with this ice wall blocking the front."

"Professor, you are right," Conseil said, "Scholars need a free space most of all, and the walls are just for us."

"Yes," said the Canadian, "but you don't need to ask what's behind this iceberg."

"What's behind that?" I asked.

"Ice, still ice, always ice!"

"Ned, your words are a bit absolute," I said, "I can't tell the world behind that, so I want to see it with my own eyes."

"Professor," Ned Land said, "I advise you to give up this plan. We have reached the South Pole, and that is enough. We can't go any further, and neither can Captain Nemo and this strange ship. Whatever he thinks, we have to turn around and head north, back to Europe and the Americas."

Although I didn't say it, I had to admit in my heart that Ned Land was right. Boats are not designed to sail on seas like this.In the face of such an iceberg, even the "Nautilus" did nothing, no matter how hard it worked before and how it hit the iceberg with its angle of attack.Under normal circumstances, if we cannot go forward, we can always go back.But now the situation has changed. Retreating is as impossible as advancing. The waterway behind us has been frozen and completely closed.The temperature was frighteningly low, and as long as the ship moved slightly, the vacant sea would immediately freeze. I think it was too rash for Captain Nemo to rush into the hinterland of the Southern Ocean.

I came to the platform and saw the captain watching the situation there, he saw me and said:

"Professor, what do you think of the current situation?"

"Captain, I think we're completely trapped."

"Trapped? Totally? I don't understand you."

"Obviously we're stuck, that's why I say 'trapped', at least I don't see any way out."

"Professor Aronnax, do you think my 'Nautilus' can't escape?"

"It's very difficult, Captain, it's already autumn, and it will take at least half a year to thaw with sea water."

"Professor, you are still the same," Captain Nemo said with sarcasm. "Your eyes are better at detecting difficulties, hunger, and obstacles. I can assure you that my Nautilus can not only get out of trouble, Can still move on.”

"Continue south?" I asked, staring at the captain.

"Yes, its destination is the South Pole."

"South Pole?" I couldn't help but raise my voice to express my doubts and distrust.

"Yes," said the captain coldly, somewhat resentful of my suspicions, "I am going to the South Pole, to the point where all the meridians on the earth meet, which no man has ever been able to do before. You know very well that I can make 'The Nautilus' does whatever I want."

"Mr. Captain, have you ever been to the South Pole and discovered its location?" I asked the long-buried question.

"Never, sir," he said, "let us discover together where others fail and fall, and I never will. I have never sailed the Nautilus so far into the Southern Ocean before." . But I'm pretty sure it's going to keep going."

"I believe you, Captain," I countered with sarcasm, "yes, we'll keep going, no obstacle, just knock this stupid iceberg off, smash it, and if it resists, we'll Let the Nautilus fly over the iceberg!"

"Professor, you said to go from above?" Captain Nemo was very calm. "I didn't say to go from above. I meant to go from under the iceberg."

"Yeah, why don't you go through below?" I suddenly understood, the captain's plan made my eyes shine, I was blinded by the iceberg, and blocked my heart, how could I forget that the "Nautilus" can dive? ?

"It seems that our views are beginning to agree again," said the captain with a smile. "You can now see the feasibility of my attempt, or plan. No other ordinary ship can do it." Now, it is much easier for the Nautilus. If Antarctica becomes a continent, we will sensibly abandon the ship and go ashore, but Antarctica is still a free sea so far, so don't hesitate to sail to Antarctica Go!"

"You are right," I was influenced by the captain's pride, and my thoughts became active, "The density of sea water is twice as high as it is in the frozen state. If the sea surface is completely frozen, its lower layer should still be passable. The submerged part of an iceberg should be compared with the surface part by four to one."

"Almost, to be precise, if an iceberg is one foot above the sea, it is three feet below the water. That is to say, the iceberg in front of me is no more than 100 meters high according to my visual inspection, and its part below the sea surface is at most 300 meters. Meters. What is the dive depth of 300 meters to the 'Nautilus'?"

"It's nothing, Mr. Captain."

"We can go deeper into the water, which is much more comfortable than if we stay at the surface and endure a snowstorm."

"Without a doubt, sir." I was thrilled.

"There's only one problem, and that's if we go down for days," said Captain Nemo, "we won't be able to come up for fresh air."

"It's not difficult," I said. "There are many storage tanks on the 'Nautilus'. If you fill these storage tanks with oxygen, you can stay underwater for several days without going up."

"Good idea, professor," the captain smiled. "I don't want to be a dictator and a foolish person. Now I will bring up all the factors that may be unfavorable to us. Please help us to consider and solve them."

"Do you have any other questions?"

"There is only one last problem. If the Antarctic sea is completely frozen, then even if we pass the iceberg area, we will still not be able to float to the surface."

"Yes, captain, your doubts may exist. But don't forget the huge angle of attack on the 'Nautilus'. If the sea is frozen, as long as it is not an iceberg, we can go diagonally upwards." The impact of the water surface, the ordinary ice layer cannot stop us."

"Very good, professor, you have a lot of ideas today!"

Captain Nemo went on to say: "You have raised many opinions against my plan before, and now you are supporting me with many reasons. The things in the world are really wonderful!"

Captain Nemo was right. I am boldly convincing him to carry out this great project. I am pushing him forward.Captain Nemo didn't delay any further, he sent a signal to call the first mate up, and the two quickly exchanged opinions, the first mate didn't show any surprise at the captain's order, and went directly to make arrangements.When I excitedly told Conseil the news that we were about to get out of trouble and that we were going to the South Pole, his expression could be said to be extremely indifferent, and he only said: "Sir, it's up to you, I Just follow." As for Ned Land, he used that iconic shoulder shrug to express an emotion:
"Professor, what can I say about your great plan with Captain Nemo, I feel sorry for you!"

"Ned, we are going to the South Pole."

"We can go, but we probably won't be able to come back!" He said as he walked back to the cabin, "It's better not to kill anyone."

No matter how pessimistic Conseil and Ned Land had about the trip, this bold plan was put into practice.Powerful extractors equipped on board draw the icy air into the storage tanks, adding high pressure.At four o'clock in the afternoon Captain Nemo informed me that the panels on the platform were about to close, and I took one last look at the iceberg ahead. The air was fresh, but icy cold.The wind died down and the temperature remained low.

More than a dozen crew members went to the platform with pickaxes and chipped away the solid ice and snow on the ship. The newly formed ice was not yet thick, and the deicing work was quickly completed.We all went back to the cabin, the tank was filled with seawater, and the Nautilus quickly dived.Sitting in the living room with Conseil, I watched the lower water surface of the Southern Ocean through the glass, and the needles of the thermometer and pressure gauge were moving slowly.

When we had descended to a depth of 300 metres, we had reached, as Captain Nemo estimated, the lowermost corrugated waters of the iceberg.But the "Nautilus" did not stop, but continued to dive until it was 800 meters underwater.At this time, the underwater temperature has dropped from twelve degrees to eleven degrees.

"Sir, please forgive my indifference just now," Conseil said, "we will definitely pass."

"It doesn't matter, dear friend, I also believe it." My tone was firm.

The "Nautilus" sailed all the way to the South Pole along the 52° west longitude.Now we are at 67°30′south latitude, and to reach the pole at 90°, we still need a latitude of 22°30′, that is to say, a distance of more than 500 miles. The "Nautilus" was traveling at a speed of 26 knots per hour. At this speed, we would reach the South Pole in forty hours.Since this dive has two goals—breaking through the blockade of the iceberg and reaching the South Pole, both Conseil and I were nervous and excited. We stood by the glass in the living room, and the seabed looked crystal clear under the searchlights. sharp.Unlike the South Atlantic Ocean, the seabed here is very desolate, with few traces of life.It seems that fish don't like living in such a prison-like underwater.Our boat sails smoothly, you can feel it in the tiny vibrations of the steel hull.

At two o'clock in the morning, I went back to my room to rest, and Conseil also went back to my room.I did not see Captain Nemo as I passed the passage, and I thought he must be in the navigator's cage, and it must be a sleepless night for him and the Nautilus.

The next day, March 3th, at 18 a.m., I returned to the living room, and the speedometer showed that we had slowed down a bit.I could feel the boat draining the water from the tank and slowly rising.

(End of this chapter)