Jules Verne's Nautilus hull built in Birkenhead, research suggests
A new website posits that the hull of Jules Verne's renowned Nautilus submarine was constructed by the historical Lairds shipyard in Birkenhead, England.
Liverpool, June 23, 2021 – The iconic Nautilus submarine, created by author Jules Verne, may have been constructed in Birkenhead, England, according to new research. A website launched today presents evidence suggesting that the iron plates for its hull were manufactured at the local Lairds shipyard.
Verne's 1869 novel "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" describes the Nautilus being completed at a 'secret desert island location,' using parts shipped from across the world. However, deeper examination reveals that Verne subtly mentions 'Laird's of Liverpool,' now known as the Lairds shipyard of Birkenhead, as the maker of the hull's iron plates.
Analysis indicates that due to its double-hull design, an estimated 70%–80% of the Nautilus's total weight could have originated from Birkenhead. This suggests that while the vessel's final assembly occurred at a fictional remote location, its core structural components were rooted in the Mersey region.
The new website, http://julesverneandtheheroesofbirkenhead.co.uk, features several installments delving into Verne's connections with Birkenhead. It aims to leverage these historical links similarly to how nearby Prescot has promoted its identity through William Shakespeare.
The research highlights multiple references within Verne's works to Birkenhead and its shipbuilding heritage, including his descriptions of the Great Eastern steamship operating from Birkenhead around 1860. Furthermore, it notes that Verne's first novel, "The Adventures of Captain Hatteras," begins with an expedition departing from Birkenhead.