Victor Hugo wrote many of his works while in exile, which lasted 19 years. He spent most of this exile on the English islands. The story begins with the description of the islands... Letyerri has two loves in life – his ship Durand and his niece Deryushetta. Letyerri, due to the machinations of his companion Kleben, is losing the ship. The ship is destroyed, but the steam engine itself is intact. Deryushetta's hand is promised to someone who will be able to return him an expensive car.