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The Nautilus was described as "a masterpiece containing masterpieces." Electricity provided by sodium/mercury batteries (with the sodium provided by extraction from seawater) was the primary power source for propulsion. The Nautilus used floodable tanks in order to adjust buoyancy and so control its depth. The pumps that evacuate these tanks of water were so powerful that they produced large jets of water when the vessel emerged rapidly from the surface of the water. This led many early observers of the Nautilus to believe that the vessel was some species of whale, or perhaps a sea monster not yet known to science.

Much of the ship was decorated to standards of luxury that were unequalled in a seagoing vessel of the time. These included a library with boxed collections of valuable oceanic specimens that were unknown to science at the time, expensive paintings, and several collections of jewels. The Nautilus also featured a lavish dining room and even an organ that Captain Nemo used to entertain himself in the evening.

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 48" Long.   Progress as of August 2011.   Expected completion date:  Feb 2012.

Due to the extremely complicated nature of this model, only two units will be ever produced.  One is available for sale.  Preorder price $4,300    S & H is $130                                                                                                                                        Tell a friend: