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Re: Nautilus kit review

From: Raymond Macon <maconr~at~rmi.net>
Date: Mon Mar 2 08:16:07 1998
To: jvf~at~math.technion.ac.il, Jules Verne Forum <jvf~at~math.technion.ac.il>

> From: "Ron Miller" <rmiller~at~crosslink.net>
> To: jvf~at~math.technion.ac.il
> Date: Sun, 1 Mar 1998 16:10:21 +0000
> Subject: Nautilus kit review
> Reply-to: Jules Verne Forum <jvf~at~math.technion.ac.il>

> The recently-issued "Nautilus Submarine" model kit (Revell Monogram)
> is not as bad as it first appears. In fact, the packaging and
> instructions are worse than the model.
>
> The submarine itself is based on the one used in the recent
> television adaptation (whichever one was the first to be
> broadcast--I forget), although there is nothing whatsoever on either
> the box or in the instructions to indicate this. On the other hand,
> the "story" which is synopsised in the instruction booklet is based
> not on the television movie but on an adaptation created for a
> "Crayola Kids Adventure", an animated video I have not yet seen (it
> features such novel innovations as Arronax's sister Beth and a
> solar-powered Nautilus). Unfortunately, without the accompanying
> video (and there is not a clue as to where it can be seen or
> purchased), the reader is left with a thoroughly misshapen view of
> the novel.
>
> The biographical information about Verne informs us that he "studied
> law, geology, engineering and astronomy" and that 20K was written
> "30 years before a submarine was invented". We're told that at that
> time "even electricity was a mere laboratory curiosity" and that a
> league is equal to "3.5 miles".

I hate to burst any bubbles here, but I had to respond to this. The
submarine was around when 20K was written. The first submarine was
built by the Confederates during the U.S. Civil War of 1861-1865. It
was used during the battle of Mobile Bay in Alabama during which
the Union commander, Admiral Farragut uttered the famous line, "Damn
the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" Despite the submarine's use, the
Confederates lost the battle.

This is not to say that the first sub was a very viable machine, but
the fact still remains that it was a submarine vessel and while it
may have performed poorly, it did perform. I think that it is very
important that while we acknowledge the extent of Verne's genius, we
also give credit where it justly belongs and not bestow it upon the
undeserving. This is a good case in point.

As for the length of a league, in 20K it would appear that given the
total span of the Nautilus' travels, it measured only 2.15 miles
and not 3.5, or even the standard 3 miles as a league was formerly
known.

Raymond

 
"Dream that what you dream will be: Hold eyes
clasped shut until they see; and sing the silent
prophecy..." --Stephen R. Donaldson

e-mail: maconr~at~rmii.com, maconr~at~boulder.lib.co.us
Web Page: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/5757
Received on Mon 02 Mar 1998 - 08:16:07 IST

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