Hydrography
Original
“Hydrographie, deliuereth to our knowledge, on Globe or in Plaine, the perfect Analogicall description of the Ocean Sea coastes, through the whole world: or in the chiefe and principall partes thereof:” with the Iles and chiefe particular places of daungers, conteyned within the boundes, and Sea coastes described: as, of Quicksandes, Bankes, Pittes, Rockes, Races, Countertides, Whorlepooles. &c. This, dealeth with the Element of the water chiefly: as Geographie did principally take the Element of the Earthes description (with his appertenances) to taske. And besides thys, Hydrographie, requireth a particular Register of certaine Landmarkes (where markes may be had) from the sea, well hable to be skried, in what point of the Seacumpase they appeare, and what apparent forme, Situation, and bignes they haue, in respecte of any daungerous place in the sea, or nere vnto it, assigned: And in all Coastes, what Mone, maketh full Sea: and what way, the Tides and Ebbes, come and go, the Hydrographer ought to recorde. The Soundinges likewise: and the Chanels wayes: their number, and depthes ordinarily, at ebbe and flud, ought the Hydrographer, by obseruation and diligence of Measuring, to haue certainly knowen. And many other pointes, are belonging to perfecte Hydrographie, and for to make a Rutter, by: of which, I nede not here speake: as of the describing, in any place, vpon Globe or Plaine, the 32. pointes of the Compase, truely: (wherof, scarsly foure, in England, haue right knowledge: bycause, the lines therof, are no straight lines, nor Circles.) Of making due proiection of a Sphere in plaine. Of the Variacion of the Compas, from true Northe: And such like matters (of great importance, all) I leaue to speake of, in this place: bycause, I may seame (al ready) to haue enlarged the boundes, and duety of an Hydographer, much more, then any man (to this day) hath noted, or prescribed. Yet am I well hable to proue, all these thinges, to appertaine, and also to be proper to the Hydrographer. The chief vse and ende of this Art, is the Art of Nauigation: but it hath other diuerse vses: euen by them to be enioyed, that neuer lacke sight of land.
Musean translation
Modern machine-assisted Musean edition by Mouseia, from Dee's 1570 Praeface. Latin quotations and titles are translated into English, using Dee's own English glosses where provided. Printer's type-size markup is normalized; marginal notes are kept as asides. Billingsley's separate address is omitted. Uncertain readings are marked.
"Hydrography gives us, on globe or in plane, the perfect analogical description of the ocean sea coasts throughout the whole world, or in its chief and principal parts:" with the islands and chief particular places of danger contained within the bounds and sea coasts described: such as quicksands, banks, pits, rocks, races, counter-tides, whirlpools, etc. This deals chiefly with the element of water: just as geography did principally take in hand the description of the element of earth (with its appurtenances). And besides this, hydrography requires a particular register of certain landmarks (where marks can be had) well able to be spied from the sea: at what point of the sea compass they appear, and what apparent form, situation, and bigness they have in respect of any dangerous place in the sea, or near to it, assigned. And on all coasts, what moon makes full sea, and in what way the tides and ebbs come and go, the hydrographer ought to record. The soundings likewise, and the channel ways: their number and depths ordinarily at ebb and flood, the hydrographer ought by observation and diligent measuring to have certainly known. And many other points belong to perfect hydrography, and to making sailing directions: of which I need not speak here: such as truly describing, in any place, on globe or plane, the 32 points of the compass (of which scarcely four in England have right knowledge, because the lines of it are neither straight lines nor circles). Of making due projection of a sphere in plane. Of the variation of the compass from true north. And such like matters (all of great importance) I leave to speak of here: because I may seem already to have widened the bounds and duty of a hydrographer far more than any man (to this day) has noted or prescribed. Yet I am well able to prove that all these things pertain, and are also proper, to the hydrographer. The chief use and end of this art is the art of navigation: but it has other diverse uses: even to be enjoyed by those who never lack sight of land.
Plain English translation
Modern machine-assisted Plain English edition by Mouseia, from Dee's 1570 Praeface. Latin quotations and titles are translated into English, using Dee's own English glosses where provided. Printer's type-size markup is normalized; marginal notes are kept as asides. Billingsley's separate address is omitted. Uncertain readings are marked.
"Hydrography delivers to our knowledge, on globe or in plain, the perfect analogous description of the ocean sea coasts, through the whole world: or in the chief and principal parts of it:" with the islands and chief particular places of danger contained within the bounds, and sea coasts described: as of quicksands, banks, pits, rocks, races, countertides, whirlpools, etc. This deals chiefly with the element of water: as geography principally took the description of the element of earth (with its appurtenances) to task. And besides this, hydrography requires a particular register of certain landmarks (where marks can be had) from the sea, well able to be sighted: at what point of the sea compass they appear, and what apparent shape, situation, and bigness they have, in respect of any dangerous place in the sea, or near to it, assigned. And on all coasts, what moon makes full sea, and what way the tides and ebbs come and go, the hydrographer ought to record. The soundings likewise, and the channels' ways: their number and depths ordinarily at ebb and flood, the hydrographer ought to have certainly known by observation and careful measuring. And many other points belong to perfect hydrography, and to making up sailing directions, of which I need not speak here: such as describing, in any place, on globe or plain, the 32 points of the compass truly (of which scarcely four in England have right knowledge, because its lines are neither straight lines nor circles). Making a due projection of a sphere on a plain. The variation of the compass from true north: and such like matters (all of great importance) I will not speak of here: because I may seem already to have enlarged the bounds and duty of a hydrographer much more than anyone (to this day) has noted or prescribed. Yet I am well able to prove that all these things pertain, and are also proper, to the hydrographer. The chief use and end of this art is the art of navigation: but it has other diverse uses: even to be enjoyed by those who never lose sight of land.
About this section
Hydrography is part of The Mathematicall Praeface to the Elements of Geometrie by John Dee. This page sets the 16th-century English original beside 2 direct-source translations, so any line can be checked against the source. It is part 10 of 34 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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