The first edition of this book is dated 1908. The edition used is dated 1908. The publisher was Blackie and Son Ltd, London, Glasgow and Bombay. The number of pages is 376.

General information

This is the second book about the strange vessel, the “Flying Fish”, that can travel on the surface of the waters, or below them, and that can rise in the air to a great height, and travel to great distances. All this is achieved by the fact that the vessel is made of the novel metal aethereum, which is lighter than air, and that the power is produced by another novel source. These two books place Collingwood among the very first authors to explore the science-fiction genre, which makes this book very important in the history of literature.

The other book about this vessel, “The Log of the Flying Fish”, has several characters in common with this one, and some of their deeds, in particular the relations with various African chieftains, are continuations of the same adventures. However there are plenty of new episodes in this book.

The book dates from slightly after the Victorian era, though many of the episodes have a strongly Victorian flavour. Makes a brilliant audiobook, great fun to listen to.