Gulf of Aqaba

The Gulf of Aqaba, a northeastern extension of the Red Sea, appears in the narrative as a geographical landmark during the Nautilus's voyage through these waters. It is first mentioned when Captain Nemo, describing the cape that forms the tip of Arabia Petraea, notes that it lies between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. This observation occurs as the Nautilus enters the Strait of Jubal, leading into the Gulf of Suez, and the captain points out Mount Horeb, the biblical Mount Sinai, which crowns the region between the two gulfs. The gulf thus serves as a reference point for the ship's position and the captain's geographical knowledge.

Historical and Scientific Context

The Gulf of Aqaba is also referenced in the context of Captain Nemo's discussion of the Red Sea's history and the crossing of the Israelites. He explains that the locality where Moses crossed with his people is now so clogged with sand that camels can barely get their legs wet, implying that the Nautilus would not have enough water to navigate there. This remark ties the gulf to the broader narrative of ancient events and the limits of modern exploration, as the captain contrasts the shallow, sand-filled estuary of the past with the deep waters his submarine requires.

Thematic Significance

The mention of the Gulf of Aqaba, like other geographical points in the novel, underscores the tension between the known and the unknown, the historical and the present. Captain Nemo's ability to navigate these waters and his knowledge of their biblical and geological past highlight his role as a figure who transcends conventional human limitations, while also grounding the fantastical journey in real-world geography. The gulf, as part of the Red Sea, contributes to the novel's exploration of the sea as a repository of history and a domain of freedom, where the captain can operate beyond the reach of terrestrial laws and societies.