It seemed as though she was struck.

The screws ran more and more slowly, and what began as a gentle descent threatened to become a collapse.
In less than a minute it was evident they would get down to the surface of the sea.

Once they were immersed no power could drag them from the abyss.
Suddenly the electric cloud appeared above them.

The "Albatross" was only sixty feet from the crest of the waves.

In two or three seconds the deck would be under water.
But Robur, seizing the propitious moment, rushed to the central house and seized the levers.