Gutenberg Articles

Appearance

Excerpt ​

Excerpt from Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat; Or, Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure, by Victor Appleton

Tom, Mr. Sharp and Captain Weston donned the suits, the others agreeing
to wait until they saw how the first trial resulted. Then, too, it was
necessary for some one acquainted with the machinery to remain in the
ship to operate the door and water chamber through which the divers had
to pass to get out.

The usual plan, with some changes, was followed in letting the three
out of the boat, and on to the bottom of the sea. They entered a
chamber in the side of the submarine, water was gradually admitted
until it equaled in pressure that outside, then an outer door was
opened by means of levers, and they could step out.

It was a curious sensation to Tom and the others to feel that they were
actually walking along the bed of the ocean. All around them was the
water, and as they turned on the small electric lights in their
helmets, which lights were fed by storage batteries fastened to the
diving suits, they saw the fish, big and little, swarm up to them,
doubtless astonished at the odd creatures which had entered their
domain. On the sand of the bottom, and in and out among the shells and
rocks, crawled great spider crabs, big eels and other odd creatures
seldom seen on the surface of the water. The three divers found no
difficulty in breathing, as there were air tanks fastened to their
shoulders, and a constant supply of oxygen was fed through pipes into
the helmets. The pressure of water did not bother them, and after the
first sensation Tom began to enjoy the novelty of it. At first the
inability to speak to his companions seemed odd, but he soon got so he
could make signs and motions, and be understood.

Explanation ​

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat ​

Context of the Source ​

Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat; Or, Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure (1910) is the fourth book in the Tom Swift series, written by Victor Appleton (a pseudonym for the Stratemeyer Syndicate, which produced many early 20th-century adventure and juvenile fiction series). The series follows the adventures of Tom Swift, a young inventor and adventurer, who uses his scientific and engineering skills to create cutting-edge technology (such as airships, motorcycles, and, in this case, a submarine) to solve problems and embark on thrilling expeditions.

This excerpt takes place during an underwater exploration mission, where Tom and his companions test newly developed diving suits to walk on the ocean floor in search of sunken treasure. The scene captures the wonder of early underwater exploration, blending scientific curiosity, adventure, and the thrill of the unknown.

Themes in the Excerpt ​

  1. Human Ingenuity & Technological Progress

    • The passage emphasizes human invention—Tom and his team use submersible technology, diving suits, and air supply systems to explore the ocean depths, something that was still a novelty in the early 1900s.
    • The methodical process of equalizing pressure, using levers to open doors, and relying on electric lights and oxygen tanks reflects the scientific precision of the era’s engineering.
    • The text celebrates human dominance over nature—what was once an inaccessible realm (the ocean floor) is now conquerable through technology.

  2. Exploration & the Unknown

    • The ocean is portrayed as an alien world, filled with "odd creatures seldom seen on the surface." The divers are intruders in a domain that belongs to sea life, reinforcing the mystery and wonder of the deep.
    • The sensory experience of walking on the ocean floor is described as "curious" and "novel," highlighting the thrill of discovery.

  3. Adaptation & Problem-Solving

    • The divers must adapt to their environment—they cannot speak, so they develop sign language; they adjust to the pressure and breathing apparatus.
    • The text suggests that human cleverness allows them to overcome obstacles (e.g., the inability to communicate verbally is quickly resolved through gestures).

  4. Man vs. Nature (and Harmony with It)

    • While the divers are invaders in nature’s domain, the tone is not one of conquest but of fascination. The sea creatures are "doubtless astonished" at the divers, suggesting a mutual curiosity rather than hostility.
    • The description of fish, crabs, and eels swarming around them paints the ocean as a living, dynamic ecosystem, not just a backdrop for human adventure.

Literary Devices & Stylistic Choices ​

  1. Sensory & Immersive Description

    • The passage is rich in tactile and visual imagery, making the reader feel the experience:
      • "It was a curious sensation to Tom and the others to feel that they were actually walking along the bed of the ocean." (Tactile)
      • "They saw the fish, big and little, swarm up to them..." (Visual)
      • "The pressure of water did not bother them..." (Physical sensation)
    • The electric lights in the helmets create a dramatic, almost sci-fi-like atmosphere, illuminating the dark, unknown depths.

  2. Juxtaposition of the Familiar and the Alien

    • The divers are human, yet strange in this environment—they are "odd creatures" to the sea life, just as the sea creatures are "odd" to them.
    • The mechanical (diving suits, levers, air tanks) contrasts with the organic (fish, crabs, eels), reinforcing the clash and coexistence of technology and nature.

  3. Understatement & Casual Tone

    • The matter-of-fact description of a highly dangerous activity (walking on the ocean floor) makes it seem routine, which adds to the adventurous, almost casual bravery of the characters.
    • Phrases like "they found no difficulty in breathing" and "the pressure of water did not bother them" downplay the actual risks, making the divers seem heroically competent.

  4. Foreshadowing & Suspense

    • The mention that "someone acquainted with the machinery had to remain in the ship" hints at potential danger—what if something goes wrong?
    • The first trial implies that there may be future experiments, some of which could fail, adding tension.

  5. Personification & Anthropomorphism

    • The sea creatures are described as if they have human-like reactions:
      • "doubtless astonished at the odd creatures" (fish are curious, like humans)
      • "great spider crabs, big eels, and other odd creatures" (given almost monstrous, yet intriguing, qualities)

Significance of the Passage ​

  1. Reflection of Early 20th-Century Technological Optimism

    • The Tom Swift series was part of a golden age of invention (early 1900s), when submarines, airplanes, and deep-sea diving were becoming realities.
    • The passage glorifies human innovation, reflecting the faith in science and progress of the time.

  2. Influence on Adventure & Sci-Fi Genres

    • This scene is an early example of underwater exploration in fiction, predating more famous works like Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (though Verne’s work was earlier, Appleton’s series made such adventures accessible to young readers).
    • The blend of realism and wonder influenced later sci-fi and adventure stories, including comic books, films, and TV shows about deep-sea exploration.

  3. Educational & Inspirational Value

    • The detailed explanation of diving mechanics (pressure equalization, air supply, electric lights) serves an educational purpose, teaching young readers about physics and engineering in an engaging way.
    • Tom Swift was meant to inspire young inventors, showing that curiosity and problem-solving could lead to extraordinary adventures.

  4. Cultural Attitudes Toward Nature & Exploration

    • The passage reflects a colonial-era mindset—humans enter, observe, and exploit nature (in this case, for "sunken treasure").
    • However, unlike later eco-conscious narratives, there is no moral conflict about disturbing the ocean ecosystem; the focus is purely on human achievement.

Line-by-Line Breakdown & Analysis ​

  1. "Tom, Mr. Sharp and Captain Weston donned the suits, the others agreeing to wait until they saw how the first trial resulted."

    • Establishes leadership and caution—Tom and his most trusted companions go first, while others wait, showing hierarchy and risk management.

  2. "The usual plan, with some changes, was followed in letting the three out of the boat, and on to the bottom of the sea."

    • "The usual plan" suggests this is not their first attempt, reinforcing their experience and methodical approach.
    • "Some changes" implies innovation and adaptation, key themes in the series.

  3. "They entered a chamber in the side of the submarine, water was gradually admitted until it equaled in pressure that outside, then an outer door was opened..."

    • Technical precision—the process is described step-by-step, making it feel realistic and scientific.
    • The pressure equalization is a real-world diving principle, showing the author’s (or Stratemeyer Syndicate’s) attention to accuracy.

  4. "It was a curious sensation to Tom and the others to feel that they were actually walking along the bed of the ocean."

    • "Curious sensation"—the wonder of the unknown is emphasized.
    • "Actually walking"—the physical reality of it makes the fantasy feel tangible.

  5. "All around them was the water, and as they turned on the small electric lights in their helmets... they saw the fish, big and little, swarm up to them..."

    • Immersive imagery—the reader visualizes the scene.
    • "Swarm up to them"—suggests curiosity from the sea life, as if the divers are intruders in an alien world.

  6. "On the sand of the bottom, and in and out among the shells and rocks, crawled great spider crabs, big eels and other odd creatures seldom seen on the surface..."

    • Exotic, almost monstrous descriptions—the ocean is mysterious and full of wonders.
    • "Odd creatures"—reinforces the alien nature of the deep sea.

  7. "The three divers found no difficulty in breathing, as there were air tanks fastened to their shoulders..."

    • Understated danger—breathing underwater is life-or-death, but the tone is casual, making the divers seem unshakably competent.

  8. "The pressure of water did not bother them, and after the first sensation Tom began to enjoy the novelty of it."

    • Tom’s adaptability—he quickly adjusts to the strange environment, showing his adventurous spirit.
    • "Novelty"—the thrill of new experiences is a recurring theme in adventure stories.

  9. "At first the inability to speak to his companions seemed odd, but he soon got so he could make signs and motions, and be understood."

    • Problem-solving—even a basic human function (speech) is restricted, but Tom adapts.
    • Non-verbal communication becomes a skill, reinforcing the resourcefulness of the characters.

Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters ​

This excerpt from Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat is a microcosm of early 20th-century adventure fiction—it blends science, exploration, and wonder while celebrating human ingenuity. The passage is significant because:

  • It captures the excitement of early deep-sea exploration, making the unfamiliar feel thrilling yet accessible.
  • It reflects the technological optimism of the era, where science and invention were seen as keys to unlocking nature’s secrets.
  • It lays the groundwork for later sci-fi and adventure stories, influencing how underwater worlds would be portrayed in media.
  • It teaches through entertainment, embedding scientific principles in an engaging narrative.

From a literary standpoint, the excerpt is a masterclass in immersive description and understated tension, making the extraordinary feel ordinary—a hallmark of pulp adventure writing. Tom Swift’s calm competence in the face of the unknown makes the reader believe that anything is possible with the right mix of bravery and brains.