A boy steers the submarine to explore the depth of the ocean.

Nautilus mollusk is a sea creature known for its peculiar ability to propel itself through the water by use of air chambers inside its shell. The French author, Jules Verne, named his magnificent submarine after this amazing creature and its interior is one of the primary characters in his adventure novel, ’20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.’

The 11th edition of Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival is showcasing an interactive exhibition titled, ‘Voyage to the Deep,’ which has been developed, designed, and constructed by the Australian National Maritime Museum. Designed for 2-10 year-olds, the exhibition explores the workings of submarines, marine biology and habitats, diving equipment, as well as maritime archaeology.

Keeping in style of the best antique science fiction, Verne goes to vast lengths to imagine how submarine works. He drew inspiration from models he saw on display at the 1867 world’s fair in Paris, as well scientific knowledge about electricity and battery power.

Children get knowledge about activities in the ocean.

The exhibition blends fantasy and facts to encourage creativity, learning, and spark the real-life wonders of exploring the ocean. Keeping in line with the theme, ‘Explore Knowledge,’ the exhibition takes visitors to the center of this fantasy world with a giant replica Nautilus. Children can board the submarine and discover its inner world by taking control at the helm, peer through the periscope, crank the propeller, test out the bunks, and explore Caption Nemo’s mysterious salon.

The Nautilus is divided into five rooms: control room, navigation room, salon, living quarters, and engine room. In the control room you will find navigational devices, dive boots that are deceptively heavy, information about deep sea divers and their equipment. In the navigation room, children can access the conning tower, which allows the navigator to see in all directions and communicate with visitors in the control room.

A girl uses the submarine's periscope. 

The salon is where the treasure lies. Captain Nemo kept his musical pipe organ and many cases for the display of marine animals, shells, and other specimens that visitors can explore under the microscope. The living quarter is located in the stern of the ship, followed by the engine room. The journey into this exhibition is an ongoing history, geology, zoology, and geography lesson.

Verne imagined his Nautilus long before submarines were ever used to explore the sea. At that time, the idea of exploring the depths of the seas was still very much a fantasy, as much for inventors and authors. Visitors can explore the internal and external makeup of the ship until the 27th April 2019 at Expo Sharjah Center.