On another, Captain Nemo saves a humble pearl diver from sharks and gifts the stranger a bag of pearls. On one such excursion, Captain Nemo leads Professor Aronnax to the lost civilization of Atlantis, showing him ancient ruins at the bottom of the sea. They are exposed to dozens of different sea creatures and plants, and taken on submarine excursions using an advanced diving apparatus devised by Captain Nemo.

Professor Aronnax, Ned, and Conseil commence their journey with Captain Nemo, exploring the world under water. Captain Nemo explains that food, fuel, and other resources all come from the sea. Powered by electricity, it travels at great speeds and depths. Captain Nemo then gives Professor Aronnax a tour of the Nautilus, which is a marvel of advanced engineering and design. This ship is a secret, and to let them go risks it being found out. Once inside the ship, the men are ushered into a cabin, where they are made to wait before being introduced to the ship’s commander, Captain Nemo-a pseudonym that means “no one.” Captain Nemo tells them that they are prisoners, although they are free to do what they please around his vessel, a submersible ship called the Nautilus. They soon gain entrance after banging on the exterior walls of the ship before it descends under the water.

The three men realize the monster is not a living creature, but a submarine made of iron. Clinging to the creature, they find Canadian harpooner Ned Land, who had also been on board the Abraham Lincoln. While the Abraham Lincoln is in close pursuit, it collides with the creature, sending Professor Aronnax into the water. Their mission is to find and destroy a giant sea monster that has been attacking ships around the world. Frenchman Pierre Aronnax, professor of natural history and his loyal servant Conseil join Commander Farragut and his crew aboard the Abraham Lincoln.

Thousand leagues under the sea