Photos: Sub dreams

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Photos: Sub dreams

The Nautilus looms large in Ellijay man’s imagination, as well as his front yard. Danny McWilliams says his dream has cost him $2,120 in materials and $50,000 in man hours. Plus two teeth.

McWilliams searches for lumber at the Home Depot in Jasper.

McWilliams loads plywood at the Home Depot in Jasper.

At the Home Depot in Jasper, McWilliams shops for supplies to build his 36-foot version of the Nautilus.

At the Home Depot in Jasper, McWilliams shops for supplies to build his 36-foot version of the Nautilus.

Home Depot associate Kayla Hide rings up supplies for McWilliams.

McWilliams has to have the plywood cut to 16 inches wide so it can fit in the trunk of his roommate's Dodge Neon.

McWilliams ties down lumber to transport it from the Home Depot store in Jasper.

McWilliams unloads supplies upon returning from the Home Depot store in Jasper.

McWilliams removes plastic from the his 36 foot version on the Nautilus. Heavy rain water got into the ships hull damaging the plywood layers.

Danny McWilliams is building a 36-foot version of the Nautilus at his Elijay home.. Heavy rain water got into the ships hull damaging the plywood layers.

Danny McWilliams is building a 36 foot version of the Nautilus at his Ellijay home on Wednesday July 24th, 2013. The Nautilus is a fantastical machine, piloted by the fanatical Capt. Nemo, in Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." When he was a kid, McWilliams saw the 1954 film of the same name, a Disney flick starring Kirk Douglas. He had eyes only for the submarine, depicted as a long, finned contraption, the world's largest mechanical fish. To build the vessel He has made innumerable trips to the local Home Depot, loading his Dodge Neon with all the lumber it can handle at one time.

Danny McWilliams works on a 36 foot version of the Nautilus at his Ellijay home on Wednesday July 24th, 2013. The Nautilus is a fantastical machine, piloted by the fanatical Capt. Nemo, in Jules Verne’s "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” When he was a kid, McWilliams saw the 1954 film of the same name, a Disney flick starring Kirk Douglas. He had eyes only for the submarine, depicted as a long, finned contraption, the world's largest mechanical fish. To build the vessel He has made innumerable trips to the local Home Depot, loading his Dodge Neon with all the lumber it can handle at one time.

Danny McWilliams works on his 36-foot version of the Nautilus

Danny McWilliams works on his36-foot version of the Nautilus.

Danny McWilliams works on his 36-foot version of the Nautilus.

Interior shot of McWilliams' version of the Nautilus at his Ellijay home.

McWilliams is using Pyrex salad bowls as port holes in his version of the Nautilus that he is building at his Ellijay home.

Because there are no designs available, McWilliams had to guess how to build the interior of the 36 foot version of the Nautilus.

Danny McWilliams works on a 36-foot version of the Nautilus at his Ellijay home. The Nautilus is a fantastical machine, piloted by the fanatical Captain Nemo in Jules Verne’s "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” When he was a kid, McWilliams became obsessed with the sub after seeing the 1954 film of the same name, a Disney flick starring Kirk Douglas.

McWilliams started constructing his Nautilus replica in October 2012. The Florida Keys History of Diving Museum is interested in having the watercraft when it’s completed.

McWilliams uses Pyrex bowls, purchased off Ebay, as port holes. He secures them in place with spray foam sealant.

Danny McWilliams is builidng a 36 foot version of the Nautilus at his Ellijay home.

McWilliams says his dream has cost him $2,120 in materials and $50,000 in man hours. Plus two teeth.

Danny McWilliams works on a 36 foot version of the Nautilus at his Ellijay home.

Danny McWilliams sticks his head inside the 36 foot version of the Nautilus he is building at his Ellijay home. The Nautilus is a fantastical machine, piloted by the fanatical Capt. Nemo, in Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." When he was a kid, McWilliams saw the 1954 film of the same name, a Disney flick starring Kirk Douglas. He had eyes only for the submarine, depicted as a long, finned contraption, the world's largest mechanical fish. To build the vessel, he has made innumerable trips to the local Home Depot, loading his Dodge Neon with all the lumber it can handle at one time.

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McWilliams searches for lumber at the Home Depot in Jasper.

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