Under the Waves: Diving in Deep Waters

"Under the Waves; or, Diving in Deep Waters" by R. M. Ballantyne is a story about a young man named Edgar fueled by a passion for engineering, sets his sights on mastering the art of diving during the late 1800s, while a carpenter wants to be a diver named Rooney, dreaming of a life beyond his current trade. As Edgar starts to acquire diving skills from a seasoned expert, Baldwin, readers get a glimpse of the era's diving technology and the perils that divers may face. Themes of ambition and human connection are woven in, including Edgar’s budding romance with Aileen, the daughter of a rich merchant, along with his journey to overcome societal obstacles, promising underwater adventures coupled with the characters navigating personal growth.