Different ships are sighting a mysterious sea monster and based on the details the monster might be a gigantic narwhal. The U.S. government sends forth an expedition to find and kill the monster. Professor Pierre Aronnax, a French marine biologist receives a last-minute invitation to join the expedition; he accepts and with his man-servant Conseil they board a ship. Aboard the ship they meet Ned Land, a Canadian harpooner. Once they spot the sea monster they give a relentless pursuit, damaging the ship and flinging them into the water. To find out what happened next, read the book