Submarine Steamwalker

*edit: added shadows
L’Hippocampe was the third design of submarine steam powered walkers of the ingenious French designer Adalbert Gustave Thoreaux. When finished in 1887 it was the not only the largest walker ever built to that day, but also the most versatile. It could swim small distances on it’s own and was able to dive as deep as 130 meters.
It was the pride of Le Grand Societe des Sciences Naturelles et de l’Ocean, and was also the climax of the art of engineeringsteam-powered walkers in its days. After successful test of the coast of Marseilles , L’Hippocampe embarked on expeditions which took it to Corsica, the coast of Algeria, the Red Sea, Madagascar and the Comoros. From there it returned to Europe and was the first Steamwalker to cross the Channel.
It’s crew - captain Thoreaux, marine biologist Antoine Magritte and the engineer Tancred Flaubert – where stars of their time, getting invitations of every court and salon in Europe.
One the fifth journey which took it to the Canary Islands – mere two years and 4 days after its maiden voyage – disaster struck. The crew of the accompanying boat first lost telegraphic contact and when trying to lift it they saw that the chains, as well as the air intake and exhaust tubes were torn. The immediate deployment of a diving bell as well as later searches haven’t found any trace of L’Hippocampe and its crew.
The story of its disappearance was a shock for the world and with it the great era of steam powered walkers came to an abrupt end for the next decade.

So this is my entry for the SU contest (other entries over here [link] ). I know it isn't really DEEP sea, but in that time and age it was....well.
Download is recommmended. More detail pics can be found here:[link]
The tunas in the background are from 3dwarehouse.

Oh and comments are always welcome!