In the construction of the ship, the outline of the swan is followed as nearly as possible.  The prow rises out of the water, shaped like the bird’s neck and head; the keel is rounded like the belly; the stern is an imitation of the tail; the legs are supplied by two large adjuncts in the shape of webbed feet, with the addition, however, of numerous wheels fastened round the swan’s belly, which are partially immersed in the water and moved by powerful machinery within the vessel.

On each side of the swan’s body is an auxiliary platform, forming, as it were, a wing.  These platforms are raised in fine weather, and serve as open-air promenades for the passengers, in addition to another terrace on the swan’s back, immediately above.

The ship has no masts, and is thus available throughout for passengers and merchandise.  The apertures between the decking, that admit light and air, can be closed up at a moment’s notice, and the vessel, being thus rendered water-tight, will ride through the most violent storm.  No rocks can break her, and no sea can swamp her.

During hurricanes the seas rise so high and in such large masses, that, in descending, they sometimes submerge her; but she is too buoyant to sink, soon regains the surface, and floats on as buoyant as ever.

The navigation in our world would on your earth be considered very dangerous, if not impracticable.  The swan-ship, even when driven by the tempest, must often pass through narrow inlets between dangerous rocks, sometimes under the rocks, through channels scooped out by the sea.  The force of the hurricanes and the violence of the seas are tremendous.  Your most powerful ships could not live through them, yet no serious accident has ever befallen one of our vessels.  On one occasion, when the ship was submerged for a time, the people suffered greatly from want of air, as the sea was too terribly rough to allow of any window being opened.  After remaining covered by the waters for a length of time, she righted herself as soon as the violence of the waves had calmed.

On their return to Montalluyah, some of the passengers related to me their acute sufferings from want of air, and as their narrative affected me much, I resolved to discover a remedy.

Telescopic funnels to admit air were suggested by me as a provision for such a contingency as I have described.  These are so constructed that in case of need they can be sent up to a great height above the surface of the sea.  The principal one is placed in the head of the swan.  Several experiments were made with air-pumps in the ship to draw in and diffuse air, and they fully answered this purpose.

Air can still be admitted through the head and neck of the swan, if the body only is submerged; but if this also is covered by the sea, the telescopic funnel is sent up to the required height and a new current of air is obtained.  Light and air are, under ordinary circumstances admitted by means of windows made with a transparent composition of great strength.