Name: Frank Reade Jr.'s Submarine Boat; or, to the North Pole Under the Ice. by Senarens
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6666666666667 (9 reviews)
Author: Senarens, Luis, 1863-1939

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Frank Reade Jr.'s Submarine Boat; or, to the North Pole Under the Ice. by Senarens

(9 User reviews) 1238

By Kevin Cox Posted on Mar 30, 2026

In Category - Justice Studies

Authors: Senarens, Luis, 1863-1939 Published By : Senarens, Luis, 1863-1939

Book Language: English

Okay, hear me out. Imagine it's 1890, and this teenage genius, Frank Reade Jr., builds a submarine. Not just any submarine—a tricked-out, electric-powered, brass-and-steel marvel. His wild plan? To cruise under the Arctic ice cap and plant a flag at the North Pole. It's pure, uncut adventure fuel. The book throws him and his crew against everything the frozen north can dish out: crushing ice, strange sea creatures, and the constant, terrifying threat of being trapped forever in the dark, cold silence under the ice. It's less about scientific accuracy (they were basically guessing about the Pole back then) and more about the sheer, audacious joy of invention and exploration. If you've ever wanted to time-travel to an era where people looked at a blank spot on the map and said, 'Let's build a machine to go there,' this is your ticket. It's fast, fun, and wonderfully naive in the best possible way.

File: Frank Reade Jr.'s Submarine Boat; or, to the North Pole Under the Ice. by Senarens

Before we had astronauts, we had inventors like Frank Reade Jr. This book, first published in the late 1800s, is a blast from a past where science fiction was often just 'science we hope is fiction.' It's a short, pulpy adventure that moves at a breakneck pace.

The Story

Frank Reade Jr., a brilliant young inventor, unveils his latest creation: the Porpoise, a revolutionary electric submarine. With a loyal crew that includes his trusty engineer, Barney, and a scientist friend, Professor Von Bulow, Frank sets an impossible goal. He's not just going to explore the ocean; he's going to drive this thing under the Arctic ice all the way to the North Pole. The journey is a non-stop parade of dangers. They dodge icebergs, battle giant squid, and navigate through treacherous underwater caverns. The real tension comes from the claustrophobic threat of the ice itself—one wrong move and the Porpoise could be crushed or trapped in a frozen tomb. It's a straightforward race against nature, driven by guts, gears, and sheer optimism.

Why You Should Read It

Don't come to this book for hard science or deep character development. Come for the vibe. Reading it feels like uncovering a prototype for every sci-fi adventure that came after. Frank Reade Jr. is basically Tony Stark's great-grandfather, solving problems with wrenches and wonder. The charm is in its earnestness. The author, Luis Senarens, was spinning this tale when the North Pole was still a true mystery, and his excitement is contagious. You get a real sense of the period's spirit—a boundless faith in technology to conquer the unknown. It's a fun, historical curiosity that shows where our dreams of exploration started.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect quick read for fans of classic adventure, steampunk enthusiasts, or anyone curious about the roots of science fiction. It's for readers who enjoy Jules Verne's concepts but want something even faster and more action-packed. Think of it as a thrilling, slightly cheesy B-movie from 1890. If you can embrace its old-fashioned style and see it as a piece of literary history, you'll have a great time on this chilly, chaotic ride to the top of the world.