Strait of Jubal

The Strait of Jubal is a narrow maritime passage in the northern Red Sea that the Nautilus traverses on February 11, 1867, during its voyage from the Indian Ocean toward the Mediterranean. This strait, located between the Sinai Peninsula and the African coast, forms the entrance to the Gulf of Suez and represents the final natural waterway before the submarine's unprecedented underwater crossing of the Isthmus of Suez via the Arabian Tunnel.

Geography and Strategic Position

The Strait of Jubal lies at the northern extremity of the Red Sea, connecting the main body of that sea with the Gulf of Suez. As the Nautilus approaches this passage, Captain Nemo navigates with particular care, keeping the vessel at a depth that allows observation of the rocky bottom brightly lit by the ship's electric rays. The strait narrows progressively as the submarine advances, and the surrounding waters show decreasing salinity the closer the vessel gets to Suez. The strait's position makes it a critical chokepoint for any vessel seeking to enter or exit the Gulf of Suez, and its relatively shallow waters require careful piloting even for a submersible of the Nautilus's capabilities.

The Nautilus's Passage

On the evening of February 11, the Nautilus enters the Strait of Jubal at approximately six o'clock, sometimes afloat and sometimes submerged. Captain Nemo personally takes command of the vessel during this delicate navigation, remaining in the pilothouse to direct maneuvers. The submarine passes well out from El Tur, a settlement at the far end of a bay whose waters appear dyed red, as Captain Nemo had previously mentioned to Professor Aronnax. Night falls in the midst of a heavy silence occasionally broken by the calls of pelicans and nocturnal birds, by the sound of surf chafing against rocks, or by the distant moan of a steamer churning the waves of the gulf with noisy blades. From eight to nine o'clock, the Nautilus stays a few meters beneath the waters, and through the panels in the lounge, Aronnax spots rocky bottoms brightly lit by the electric rays.

Connection to the Arabian Tunnel

The Strait of Jubal serves as the final natural passage before the Nautilus reaches the entrance to the Arabian Tunnel, Captain Nemo's secret underwater passageway connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. After clearing the strait, the submarine proceeds toward Suez, where at 9:15 PM the floating signal light of Suez becomes visible. Captain Nemo then guides the Nautilus to sink beneath the waves and enter the tunnel, which starts below Suez and leads to the Bay of Pelusium. The successful navigation of the Strait of Jubal thus marks the culmination of the Red Sea voyage and the threshold of one of the most remarkable feats of underwater engineering in the novel.

Narrative Significance

The passage through the Strait of Jubal represents a moment of transition in the Nautilus's journey, moving from the relatively confined waters of the Red Sea toward the open Mediterranean. For Professor Aronnax, the strait offers one of his last opportunities to observe the Red Sea's distinctive marine life and geological formations before the submarine enters the tunnel. The careful navigation required through these waters also demonstrates Captain Nemo's exceptional seamanship and his intimate knowledge of even the most treacherous maritime passages, reinforcing his characterization as a master of the seas who has explored every corner of the underwater world.