A strange giant "sea creature" has been rampaging the seas. The American naval ship ''Abraham Lincoln'' is sent to investigate, but is rammed by "the creature" which turns out to be ''The Nautilus'', the fantastic submarine of the enigmatic Captain Nemo, and "Rudderless, the 'Abraham Lincoln' drifts on". Then, in "A strange rescue" he guides the sub to surface under those pitched overboard and his crew take them, including Professor Aronnax, and his daughter (who are French) below through a hatch in the surface of the deck. After they pledge not to escape, Nemo shows them the wonders of the underwater world, and even takes them hunting on the sea floor.