The Second Deluge

"The Second Deluge" by Garrett Putman Serviss is a science fiction novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story centers on a brilliant but eccentric scientist named Cosmo Versál, who discovers an imminent cosmic disaster—a collision with a watery nebula that threatens to flood the Earth. As he races against time to save a select remnant of humanity, the narrative explores themes of belief, reason, and the moral complexities of choosing who deserves to be saved. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Cosmo Versál, a frail and obsessive genius conducting research in his cluttered laboratory. He calculates that the Earth is on a collision course with a nebula, predicting a catastrophic flood with waters rising as deep as six miles. Despite his extensive warning efforts to the public, including bold proclamations plastered across New York, he faces skepticism and ridicule. Engaged in a desperate race to construct an ark—echoing the biblical tale of Noah—he debates the ethical implications of selecting who will be spared from destruction, grappling with the weight of humanity's fate resting on his shoulders.