Underground Rivers - University of New Mexico

Chapter 17 -- Underground Rivers in Continental Fiction
“And pray why not? Are not all bodies influenced by the law of universal attraction? Why
should this vast underground sea be exempt from the general law, the rule of the universe?
Besides, there is nothing like that which is proved and demonstrated. Despite the great
atmospheric pressure down here, you will notice that this inland sea rises and falls with as
much regularity as the Atlantic itself.”
They blast a hole in the roof of the inner earth and the sea crashes down upon them, carrying
their raft downward "at an angle steeper than that of the swiftest rapids in America." Their speed
increases and then "a water-spout, a huge liquid column" strikes them and then they are
propelled up to the outer world. As the Professor explains, "The water has reached the bottom of
the abyss and is now rising to find its own level, taking us with it."
The Professor's grasp of hydraulics is questionable, but it works in fiction.
Verne's The Underground City (1911) of course required underground waters.
"Mr. Starr," said he, "you see this immense cavern, this subterranean lake, whose waters bathe
this strand at our feet? Well, it is to this place I mean to change my dwelling, here I will build a
new cottage, and if some brave fellows will follow my example, before a year is over there will
be one town more inside old England."
In terms of a true underground river, however, Verne's epic Mediterranean adventure, Mathias
Sandorf (1895) stuck closer to factual (if exaggerated) geology.. "I wish my readers to learn
everything they should know about the Mediterranean," Verne wrote, "which is why the action
transports them to twenty different places."
Verne may have heard about the foiba (sinkhole) beneath Pisino Castle in the works of Charles
Yriarte who described Count Esdorff's search for the end of the connecting underground river.
Unfortunately the count's boat never made it out.
Then they saw that the rope hung loosely over the abyss. Resting-places, staples, there were
none. They were swinging wildly at the end of the rope which cut their hands as it slipped
through them. Down they went, with their knees chafing and bleeding, without the power to
stop themselves as the bullets whistled past.
For a minute, for eighty feet and more, they glided down -- down -- asking themselves if the
abyss in which they were engulfed were really bottomless. Already the roar of the raging
waters below them could be heard. Then they understood that the lightning-conductor led
down into the torrent. What was to be done? To climb back to the base of the donjon they
could not; their strength was unequal to the task. And death for death, it was better to chance
that which waited for them in the depths below.
As soon as Count Sandorf fell into the torrent he found himself swept helplessly into the Buco.
In a few moments he passed from the intense light with which the electricity filled the ravine into
the profoundest darkness. The roar of the waters had taken the place of the roll of the thunder.
For into that impenetrable cavern there entered none of the outside light or sounds.
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