海底两万里 第168期 第12章 一切都用电(1)

These are the normal navigational instruments, I replied, and I'm familiar with their uses.

这些是航海家常用的仪器，我答，我知道它们的用法。我现在看见的这个表盘，上面有能转动的针，那不是流体压力计吗?

But no doubt these others answer pressing needs unique to the Nautilus. That dial I see there, with the needle moving across it--isn't it a pressure gauge?

但这里还有其它的仪器，一定是作为诺第留斯号特殊需要而用的。

It is indeed a pressure gauge.

正是流体压力计。

It's placed in contact with the water, and it indicates the outside pressure on our hull, which in turn gives me the depth at which my submersible is sitting.

它是跟海水相通的，可以指出外面海水的压力，因此，我便知道我这船所在的深度。

And these are some new breed of sounding line?

那些新式的测验器又是做什么用的呢?

They're thermometric sounding lines that report water temperatures in the differentstrata.

那些是温度测验器，给我报告海底下面各水层的温度。

And these other instruments, whose functions I can't even guess?

还有那些我猜不到用处的仪器呢?

Here, professor, I need to give you some background information, Captain Nemo said. Sokindly hear me out.

教授，谈到这里，我就应当给您说明一下，尼摩船长说，请您听我说吧。

He fell silent for some moments, then he said:

他静默了一会，然后说：

There's a powerful, obedient, swift, and effortless force that can be bent to any use and which reigns supreme aboard my vessel.

这里有一种强大的顺手的迅速的方便的原动力，它可以有各种用处，船上一切依靠它。

It does everything. It lights me, it warms me, it's the soul of my mechanical equipment. This force is electricity.

所有一切都由它造出来。它给我光，它给我热，它是我船上机械的灵魂。这原动力就是电。