The Mariner's Mirror

...at certain times, within two German miles of the rocks of Moskenes original: "Mouske", ships dare not approach, or they would be drawn in and swallowed. Conversely, at the time of the ebb, the water throws itself out again so violently and powerfully that no ore or heavy metal, however heavy, can sink or reach the bottom if thrown in. Then the Northern fishermen arrive in their small fishing boats, which they call "jolls," and catch many kinds of strange and wonderful fish quite easily; for they simply seize them with hooks (made for that purpose) and pull them into their jolls—that is, little boats—since the fish cannot dive under the water to hide themselves. The Northern people who inhabit the surrounding cliffs claim that this inlet flows entirely beneath a part of the land of Norway until it reaches the "North-Bottom" likely the Gulf of Bothnia of East Finland, because a similar Maelstrom original: "Mälstrom", likewise of salt water, is found there with similar fish, though its occurrence is not so dangerous. Many experienced pilots and naturalists of the sea's secrets call this abyss the "Navel of the Sea," and consider that it naturally causes both the ebb and flow on the Northern side of the Equinoctial line The Equator and throughout the whole world's circle. One finds the sketch of this place in the first book's general tables of Europe, near the northernmost part of Norway not far from land, marked with a round, ever-inflowing spiral, and beside it is written "Mälstroem." Furthermore, one also finds many dangerous and perilous waters on the Western voyage: namely the Race of Portland original: "Ras von Portläd", where the turning and swirling of the sea waves have also caused many ships to perish. Likewise, the Race of Blanquert original: "Ras von Blanquert" off France. Also the Race of Fontenau original: "Ras von Fontenau" situated before the river of Bordeaux called the Garonne. And the South and North "Esels" The "Donkeys," likely referring to dangerous shoals or rocks, upon which so many have pitiably lost and surrendered their bodies, ships, and goods, etc.

These things, High-born Princes, Gracious Lords—and many more such matters, pleasant for some to know and highly necessary for others—he Waghenaer has very diligently described and contained within two separate books. One of these deals with the Occidental or Western voyage, while the other deals with navigation in the Baltic Sea. After these books—although written in the Dutch language—had been distributed and carried in great numbers to all the lands of Europe, he had them translated into the Latin language; he dedicated one book to Her Royal Majesty in England, and the other to Frederick II of blessed memory, King of Denmark. And now, it is highly desired by many renowned people of the German nation that this precious and highly laudable work also be made available to the German lands.

Therefore, Illustrious Princes, I could not let such a thing pass by, but instead (though I am almost inexperienced in the High German language and have not stayed long in these parts) I took up the matter. Firstly, I translated the work of the author, Wagener Waghenaer, which deals solely with seafaring and the use of instruments, from Netherlandish Dutch into the common High German language, as far as seafaring (which for the sake of the sailors must remain in its own character) would allow. I also added a short description and Chorography Chorography: the description or mapping of a particular region of every land mentioned by the sea charts, which were not in the previously printed Latin and Netherlandish copies. Thus, these books may now be used by everyone as both sea charts and chronicles. And I wished to address and dedicate them to Your Princely Graces original: "E. F. D." of Mecklenburg. The reason (as I have also noted in the preface of the first book) is this: because throughout all of Germany, or among all the highly laudable Electorates or Princely lands and lordships of the German nation, none—just as the lands of Your Princely Graces of Mecklenburg—reach so far and wide to the sea, situated so magnificently next to one another on the Baltic Sea. Therefore, seafaring is of great importance to your subjects, and many of them must sustain themselves by it and gather wealth through it; whereas others do not.

I therefore humbly pray Your Princely Graces to be pleased with the same, and to receive and accept this book with grace. Herewith, I commend Your Princely Graces, as well as your Christian consorts and young heirs, together with your lands and people, to the most gracious protection of God. Dated at Amsterdam, on the 28th day of the month of June, in the year of Christ 1589.