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This episode is dedicated to our listener Michael and brought to you by Zoological Riches.

Tonight, we'll read the opening to 20,000 Leaks Under the Sea, a classic science fiction adventure novel by French writer Jules Verne.

The book is regarded as one of the premier adventure novels and one of Verne's greatest works.

Its depiction of Captain Nemo's underwater ship, the Nautilus, is regarded as ahead of its time,

since it accurately describes many features of today's submarines, which in the 1860s were comparatively primitive vessels.

Let's get cozy, close your eyes, relax your body into the softness of your bed.

Now, take a few deep breaths.

A Shifting Reef

The year 1866 was signalized by a remarkable incident, a mysterious and puzzling phenomenon,

which doubtless no one has yet forgotten.

Not to mention rumors which agitated the maritime population and excited the public mind,

even in the interior of continents, seafaring men were particularly excited.

Merchants, common sailors, captains of vessels, skippers, both of Europe and America,

naval officers of all countries, and the governments of several states on the two continents

were deeply interested in the matter.

For some time past vessels had been met by an enormous thing, a long object, spindle shaped,

...