In the Abyss story

shortstory: In the Abyss (1896) · 1896-08 · H. G. Wells

The story describes a journey to the ocean bed in a specially-designed metal sphere; the explorer within discovers a civilization of human-like creatures. It was republished in the September 1926 issue of Amazing Stories.

4 total · 4 major

ThemeLevelMotivation
fish-like being major Elstead encountered intelligent, bipedal creatures with some fish-like characteristics (e.g. gills) on the ocean floor.
speculative submarine major Elstead invented an elaborate deep sea submersible steel sphere. He used it to go on a five mile descent into the ocean.
underwater city major The creatures dragged Elstead in his steel sphere to an altar inside their town and appeared to worship him as a god.
voyage under the sea major Elstead embarked on a pioneering descent to the seabed in a steel sphere, about nine feet in diameter.