英语听书《海底两万里》第538期 第33章 北纬47.24度, 西经17.28度(13)

 Carefully examining this mass, 我认真地观察了这堆东西后，

I could identify the swollen¹ outlines of a ship shorn of its masts, which must have sunk bow first. 认为那是一艘船沉重的船壳，桅杆是折断的，船应该是从前部沉没的。

This casualty certainly dated from some far-off time. 这桩海难肯定是发生在遥远的年代。

To be so caked with the limestone² of these waters,  因为船骸上落满了这么多的海中灰尘，

this wreckage³ must have spent many a year on the ocean floor. 说明船在海底里已经度过了好些年。

What ship was this? 这是一艘什么样的船呢？

Why had the Nautilus come to visit its grave? 为什么“鹦鹉螺号”要来参观它的坟墓呢？

Was it something other than a maritime⁴ accident that had dragged this craft under the waters? 难道不是海难才导致这艘船沉入海底吗？

I wasn't sure what to think, but next to me I heard Captain Nemo's voice slowly say: 我一直想着这个问题。这时，我听到尼摩船长走到我的身旁，缓缓地说：

"Originally this ship was christened the Marseillais. “以前，这艘船名叫‘马赛号’战舰。

It carried seventy-four cannons⁵ and was launched in 1762. 它装配有74门加农炮，1762年下水。

On August 13, 1778, commanded by La Poype-Vertrieux, it fought valiantly⁶ against the Preston. 1778年8 月13日，在拉波普·威尔特利的指挥下，它勇敢地与‘普莱斯通号’战舰进行了战斗。

On July 4, 1779, as a member of the squadron under Admiral d'Estaing, it assisted in the capture of the island of Grenada. 1779年7月4日，它协助德斯坦海军司令的舰队攻下格莱那德港。

On September 5, 1781, under the Count de Grasse, it took part in the Battle of Chesapeake Bay.  1781年9月5日，它在契萨彼得湾参加了格拉斯伯爵指挥的战斗。

1 swollen   

adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀

参考例句：

• Her legs had got swollen from standing up all day.因为整天站着，她的双腿已经肿了。
• A mosquito had bitten her and her arm had swollen up.蚊子叮了她，她的手臂肿起来了。

2 limestone   

n.石灰石

参考例句：

• Limestone is often used in building construction.石灰岩常用于建筑。
• Cement is made from limestone.水泥是由石灰石制成的。

3 wreckage   

n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏

参考例句：

• They hauled him clear of the wreckage.他们把他从形骸中拖出来。
• New states were born out of the wreckage of old colonial empires.新生国家从老殖民帝国的废墟中诞生。

4 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。

5 cannons   

n.加农炮，大炮，火炮( cannon的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Cannons bombarded enemy lines. 大炮轰击了敌军阵地。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• One company had been furnished with six cannons. 某连队装备了六门大炮。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 valiantly   

adv.勇敢地，英勇地；雄赳赳

参考例句：

• He faced the enemy valiantly, shuned no difficulties and dangers and would not hesitate to lay down his life if need be. 他英勇对敌，不避艰险，赴汤蹈火在所不计。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Murcertach strove valiantly to meet the new order of things. 面对这个新事态，默克塔克英勇奋斗。 来自辞典例句