Kurt Konrath
Kurt Konrath
Nice to see a fine model of a ship that has been well sailed and worn by the weather, and put thru good use and well maintained.
HIGH HOPES, WILD MEN AND THE DEVIL’S JAW - Willem Barentsz Kolderstok 1:50
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Hi Kurt. It's great to see you here again. I am glad that you guys like the Zhdan-style!
Kurt Konrath
Kurt Konrath
Yes I do, as it shows a ship in use, versus a ship just leaving contraction docks all pretty and painted new.
As in my other hobby of model railroading, most modelers like to "weather" their cars and engines to take the shinny new look off and make them look like cars or engine that have been in use for a while.
As in my other hobby of model railroading, most modelers like to "weather" their cars and engines to take the shinny new look off and make them look like cars or engine that have been in use for a while.
Good evening Heinrich. I do enjoy your history and research posts. How brilliant would it be to build a model like Vladislav. How he gets that look is beyond me. Cheers Grant
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I agree my friend. His "weathering" for want of a better word, is one thing which sets him apart; how he builds without plans, another - simply mind-boggling. Thank you for the kind words about the research - I am glad if you enjoy it - it is a lot of work, though!
Catching up again on your research Heinrich. Fascinating reading and these Zhdan style models really look they have withstand the test of time.
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My first thought was what a very authentic look they have about them, something I imagine is quite difficult to achieve.
Fantastic job and I do like them.
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Dear Herman- I am very glad you are enjoying the research and that you find it fascinating. I think I have a few surprises in store when I start publishing my findings.
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I fully agree, Richie - authenticity is what sets them apart from the normal run-of-the-mill model. I also think that it is not an easy effect to achieve but then nothing worthwhile is. I cannot wait to start sharing his interpretation of Barentsz''s ship with you guys - that is something else.
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Dear Friends
The time has come to share with you my findings of my research.
My findings with regards to the name of the Expedition ship of Willem Barentsz, will be posted in 3 parts. This makes it easier to follow and is less of an information-overload at one time.
RESEARCH RESULTS: INTRODUCTORY NOTES AND SOURCES
NOTES:
The aim of this research is to find and corroborate the name of Willem Barentsz's ship during the First and Third Expeditions which he undertook in 1594 and 1596 respectively to find the Northern Passage. For the sake of total inclusiveness, the results of the Second Expedition (1595) will be included as well.
I will keep my findings as cryptical and as short as context and grammatical accuracy will allow me.
Parts 1 and 3 will constitute the largest part of my research.
Parts 1 and 2 can be factually proven at the hand of the resources I have available to me.
Part 3 will include factual, interpretational and summative components. In the case of the last two, I am confident that the findings are logical and substantial enough to warrant publication.
RESOURCES:
Resources are everything when it comes to research - whilst I have consulted a countless number of sources during the course of my research, my primary sources were as follow:
The journal of Gerrit de Veer “De Waerachtighe beschryvinghe van drie seylagien, ter werelt noyt soo vreemt ghehoort,” Published by Cornelis Claesz in 1598 has remained and still remains as the primary source of research into the trips of Barentsz. I analyzed a number of different editions (I have 6) but lent preference to the original (1598) edition.
As a cross reference I also obtained the German version of De Veer's journal, translated by Levinius Hulsius entitled:
De Veer, Gerrit (c. 1573-1598) "Warhafftige Relation. Der dreyen newen unerhorten, seltzamen Schiffart, so die Hollandischen und Seelandischen Schiff Anno 1594. 1595. und 1596. verricht." Nuremberg: Levinus Hulsius, 1598.
Veer, G. de., A true description of Three Voyages by the North-East etc, transl. by William Phillip (1609), ed. by Charles T. Beke, London, 1853. Published by the Hakluyt Society.
Veer, G. de., A true description of Three Voyages by the North-East etc, transl. by William Phillip (1609), ed. by Charles T. Beke, London, 1853. Re-published by the Hakluyt Society 1876 with an introduction by L. R. Koolemans Beynen.
REIZEN VAN JAN HUYGEN VAN LINSCHOTEN naar het Noorden, 1594— 1595. Uitgegeven door S. P. L'Honoré Naber. 1914. Met 14 platen en 4 kaarten, roy. 8vo. In linnen band, kop verguld.
History of the Voyages and Discoveries made in the North. Translated from the German of Johann Reinhold Forster and elucidated by a New and Original Map of the Countries situated about the North Pole. Printed for Luke White, Dame Street, and Pat Byrne, Grafton Street, Dublin, 1786.
Viermalige Reise durch das nördliche Eismeer: auf der Brigg Nowaja Semlja in den Jahren 1821 - 1824 Ausgeführt von Kapitain-Lieutenant Friedrich Litke (Edition Erdmann) (German Edition)
The time has come to share with you my findings of my research.
My findings with regards to the name of the Expedition ship of Willem Barentsz, will be posted in 3 parts. This makes it easier to follow and is less of an information-overload at one time.
RESEARCH RESULTS: INTRODUCTORY NOTES AND SOURCES
NOTES:
The aim of this research is to find and corroborate the name of Willem Barentsz's ship during the First and Third Expeditions which he undertook in 1594 and 1596 respectively to find the Northern Passage. For the sake of total inclusiveness, the results of the Second Expedition (1595) will be included as well.
I will keep my findings as cryptical and as short as context and grammatical accuracy will allow me.
Parts 1 and 3 will constitute the largest part of my research.
Parts 1 and 2 can be factually proven at the hand of the resources I have available to me.
Part 3 will include factual, interpretational and summative components. In the case of the last two, I am confident that the findings are logical and substantial enough to warrant publication.
RESOURCES:
Resources are everything when it comes to research - whilst I have consulted a countless number of sources during the course of my research, my primary sources were as follow:
The journal of Gerrit de Veer “De Waerachtighe beschryvinghe van drie seylagien, ter werelt noyt soo vreemt ghehoort,” Published by Cornelis Claesz in 1598 has remained and still remains as the primary source of research into the trips of Barentsz. I analyzed a number of different editions (I have 6) but lent preference to the original (1598) edition.
As a cross reference I also obtained the German version of De Veer's journal, translated by Levinius Hulsius entitled:
De Veer, Gerrit (c. 1573-1598) "Warhafftige Relation. Der dreyen newen unerhorten, seltzamen Schiffart, so die Hollandischen und Seelandischen Schiff Anno 1594. 1595. und 1596. verricht." Nuremberg: Levinus Hulsius, 1598.
Veer, G. de., A true description of Three Voyages by the North-East etc, transl. by William Phillip (1609), ed. by Charles T. Beke, London, 1853. Published by the Hakluyt Society.
Veer, G. de., A true description of Three Voyages by the North-East etc, transl. by William Phillip (1609), ed. by Charles T. Beke, London, 1853. Re-published by the Hakluyt Society 1876 with an introduction by L. R. Koolemans Beynen.
REIZEN VAN JAN HUYGEN VAN LINSCHOTEN naar het Noorden, 1594— 1595. Uitgegeven door S. P. L'Honoré Naber. 1914. Met 14 platen en 4 kaarten, roy. 8vo. In linnen band, kop verguld.
History of the Voyages and Discoveries made in the North. Translated from the German of Johann Reinhold Forster and elucidated by a New and Original Map of the Countries situated about the North Pole. Printed for Luke White, Dame Street, and Pat Byrne, Grafton Street, Dublin, 1786.
Viermalige Reise durch das nördliche Eismeer: auf der Brigg Nowaja Semlja in den Jahren 1821 - 1824 Ausgeführt von Kapitain-Lieutenant Friedrich Litke (Edition Erdmann) (German Edition)
Hallo @pietsan
we wish you all the BEST and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Sorry Heinrich for using your log for the greetings
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No problem, Uwe. Thank you for reminding me!Hallo @pietsan
we wish you all the BEST and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Sorry Heinrich for using your log for the greetings
Dank je wel Heinrich voor deze hartelijke verjaardag wens !
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Dear Friends
Let's start:
RESEARCH RESULTS - PART 1 THE FIRST EXPEDITION TO THE NORTH 1594
The following extract is from the 1598 journal of Gerrit de Veer
Eerstelijck zijn inden jaere 94. vier schepen toeghemaeckt, twee tot Amstelredam (2) een in Zeelandt (3) ende een tot Enckhuysen (4), om op te doen de gheleghentheyt ende streckinghe na de landen ende Conincrijcken van Cathay ende China. Willem Barentsz. een cloeck vermaert ende versocht stuerman, beleyder is gheweest vande schepen van Amstelredam.
(2) De namen dier schepen zijn niet bekend.
3) De „Zwaan" onder Cornelis Cornelisz. Nay.
4) De „Mercurius" onder Brandt IJsbrandtsz Tetgales, alwaar Jan Huyghen van Linschoten geembarkeerd was.
Translated to English
In the year 1594, four ships were equipped/prepared (toeghemaeckt) - two from Amsterdam (Amstelredam) (2), one from Zeeland (Zeelandt) (3) and one from Enkhuyzen (Enckhuysen) (4) to embark on an expedition to find the kingdoms of Cathay and China via a Northern Passage. As navigator and leader of the Amsterdam ships was Willem Barentsz a very experienced and competent helmsman.
(2) The names of these two ships (the ships from Amsterdam) are not known.
(3) The Swan under the captaincy of Cornelis Corneliszoon Nay.
(4) The Mercurius/Mercury under the captaincy of Brandt Ijsbrandysz Tetgales on which Jan Huygen van Linschoten was also embarked.
This does not surprise me in the least. It is important to note that De Veer did NOT GO on the first expedition. It is believed that he gleaned his information which he used in his report of the journey from the journals of Van Linschoten and Barentsz himself.
Van Linschoten's journal though, does not offer any more information of the ships that embarked on the first trip. He writes:
De Schepen in Texel ghecomen zijnde, te weten, de drie in de Voorreden verhaelt, als namelicken, t'Boot ghenaemt de Swane van der Veere in Zeelant, de Mercurius van Enchuysen, ende t’Boot van Amsterdam. Op ’t schip van Amsterdam was Schipper en Stuerman Willem Barentsz van der Schelling, Borgher t'Amsterdam, een seer ervaren ende bedreven Man in de const van de Zeevaert, hebbende by hem een Schellinger Visschers jacht *), om hem in sijn voorghenomen Reyse (van ons afscheydende) gheselschap te houden.
Translated to English
The three ships that arrived in Texel were the same ones mentioned in the prologue namely a boat, the Swane from Ter Veere in Zeeland, the Mercurius of Enkhuyzen and a boat from Amsterdam. On the ship of Amsterdam, the captain and helmsman was Willem Barentsz a very experienced and knowledgeable seafarer. With him he took a fishing smack from Terschelling to accompany him when the expedition embarked on their separate courses.
This I do find somewhat surprising as Van Linschoten's journals (he also went on the 1595 expedition) are generally more comprehensive than those of De Veer. The fact that he did not mention the Amsterdam ships' names might be indicative of the rift that existed between Zeeland/Enkhuizen and Amsterdam. This was not only the political rift that existed between the states of the Netherlands at that time, but also a difference of opinion as to which route to follow. That is why Barentsz followed a different route to Nay. Van Linschoten often refers to Barentsz as "the Amsterdammer" not even mentioning him by name. However, be that as it may, the important thing is that we still do not know the names of the Amsterdam ships.
BUT THEN ...
I made the following discovery courtesy of the Hakluyt's Society's English translation in which Dr. Beke (who edited the edition) confirms the entries about Zeelandt's "The Swan" and Enkhuyzen's "Mercurius" and then writes nonchalantly:
A third vessel was accordingly fitted out by the merchants of Amsterdam. It was of the same size and character as the other two, and like Tetgales's vessel was named the Mercury (Mercurius); its command being entrusted to William Barents (sic) who took with him also a fishing-boat belonging to Ter Schelling.
For sure this had me very excited but without corroboration, it meant nothing. Corroboration came in the form of a footnote supplied by Beke in which he mentioned the works of JH Forster and Admiral Litke.
The following extract is taken from Viermalige Reise durch das nördliche Eismeer: auf der Brigg Nowaja Semlja in den Jahren 1821 - 1824 Ausgeführt von Kapitain-Lieutenant Friedrich Litke (Edition Erdmann) (German Edition)
Litke thus confirms Zeelandt's "The Swan" and Enkhuyzen's "Mercurius", but he calls Barentsz's ship "der Gesandte".
This was not what I had hoped for, so on to Forster.
History of the Voyages and Discoveries made in the North. Translated from the German of Johann Reinhold Forster and elucidated by a New and Original Map of the Countries situated about the North Pole. Printed for Luke White, Dame Street, and Pat Byrne, Grafton Street, Dublin, 1786.
For the fourth time I had confirmation of The Swan and Mercurius, but to confuse everything Forster called Barentsz's ship
"The Boot / Messenger"
If you had been bored to death at this point and fell asleep earlier ...
Thus, I had three possibilities for the name of Barentsz's ship on the first expedition:
"Der Gesandte" translated into English gives the following options:
And the moment that I saw that one of "Der Gesandte"'s translations was "MESSENGER" the lights came on, big time! Now I had Mercury/Mercurius (Messenger of the Gods in Roman Mythology; Messenger and Messenger, but what about "Boot"?
The explanation came via the Hakluyt's Society Second Edition and another footnote.
And of course, the moment that I translated "Bote" into English, the answer was:
BINGO - Four out of four corroborations: The Hakluyt's Society's Two English translations, the work of Forster and the work of Litke.
I can state categorically and without any shadow of doubt that the name of Barentsz's ship during the First Expedition was "DE MERCURIUS".
Let's start:
RESEARCH RESULTS - PART 1 THE FIRST EXPEDITION TO THE NORTH 1594
The following extract is from the 1598 journal of Gerrit de Veer
Eerstelijck zijn inden jaere 94. vier schepen toeghemaeckt, twee tot Amstelredam (2) een in Zeelandt (3) ende een tot Enckhuysen (4), om op te doen de gheleghentheyt ende streckinghe na de landen ende Conincrijcken van Cathay ende China. Willem Barentsz. een cloeck vermaert ende versocht stuerman, beleyder is gheweest vande schepen van Amstelredam.
(2) De namen dier schepen zijn niet bekend.
3) De „Zwaan" onder Cornelis Cornelisz. Nay.
4) De „Mercurius" onder Brandt IJsbrandtsz Tetgales, alwaar Jan Huyghen van Linschoten geembarkeerd was.
Translated to English
In the year 1594, four ships were equipped/prepared (toeghemaeckt) - two from Amsterdam (Amstelredam) (2), one from Zeeland (Zeelandt) (3) and one from Enkhuyzen (Enckhuysen) (4) to embark on an expedition to find the kingdoms of Cathay and China via a Northern Passage. As navigator and leader of the Amsterdam ships was Willem Barentsz a very experienced and competent helmsman.
(2) The names of these two ships (the ships from Amsterdam) are not known.
(3) The Swan under the captaincy of Cornelis Corneliszoon Nay.
(4) The Mercurius/Mercury under the captaincy of Brandt Ijsbrandysz Tetgales on which Jan Huygen van Linschoten was also embarked.
This does not surprise me in the least. It is important to note that De Veer did NOT GO on the first expedition. It is believed that he gleaned his information which he used in his report of the journey from the journals of Van Linschoten and Barentsz himself.
Van Linschoten's journal though, does not offer any more information of the ships that embarked on the first trip. He writes:
De Schepen in Texel ghecomen zijnde, te weten, de drie in de Voorreden verhaelt, als namelicken, t'Boot ghenaemt de Swane van der Veere in Zeelant, de Mercurius van Enchuysen, ende t’Boot van Amsterdam. Op ’t schip van Amsterdam was Schipper en Stuerman Willem Barentsz van der Schelling, Borgher t'Amsterdam, een seer ervaren ende bedreven Man in de const van de Zeevaert, hebbende by hem een Schellinger Visschers jacht *), om hem in sijn voorghenomen Reyse (van ons afscheydende) gheselschap te houden.
Translated to English
The three ships that arrived in Texel were the same ones mentioned in the prologue namely a boat, the Swane from Ter Veere in Zeeland, the Mercurius of Enkhuyzen and a boat from Amsterdam. On the ship of Amsterdam, the captain and helmsman was Willem Barentsz a very experienced and knowledgeable seafarer. With him he took a fishing smack from Terschelling to accompany him when the expedition embarked on their separate courses.
This I do find somewhat surprising as Van Linschoten's journals (he also went on the 1595 expedition) are generally more comprehensive than those of De Veer. The fact that he did not mention the Amsterdam ships' names might be indicative of the rift that existed between Zeeland/Enkhuizen and Amsterdam. This was not only the political rift that existed between the states of the Netherlands at that time, but also a difference of opinion as to which route to follow. That is why Barentsz followed a different route to Nay. Van Linschoten often refers to Barentsz as "the Amsterdammer" not even mentioning him by name. However, be that as it may, the important thing is that we still do not know the names of the Amsterdam ships.
BUT THEN ...
I made the following discovery courtesy of the Hakluyt's Society's English translation in which Dr. Beke (who edited the edition) confirms the entries about Zeelandt's "The Swan" and Enkhuyzen's "Mercurius" and then writes nonchalantly:
A third vessel was accordingly fitted out by the merchants of Amsterdam. It was of the same size and character as the other two, and like Tetgales's vessel was named the Mercury (Mercurius); its command being entrusted to William Barents (sic) who took with him also a fishing-boat belonging to Ter Schelling.
For sure this had me very excited but without corroboration, it meant nothing. Corroboration came in the form of a footnote supplied by Beke in which he mentioned the works of JH Forster and Admiral Litke.
The following extract is taken from Viermalige Reise durch das nördliche Eismeer: auf der Brigg Nowaja Semlja in den Jahren 1821 - 1824 Ausgeführt von Kapitain-Lieutenant Friedrich Litke (Edition Erdmann) (German Edition)
Litke thus confirms Zeelandt's "The Swan" and Enkhuyzen's "Mercurius", but he calls Barentsz's ship "der Gesandte".
This was not what I had hoped for, so on to Forster.
History of the Voyages and Discoveries made in the North. Translated from the German of Johann Reinhold Forster and elucidated by a New and Original Map of the Countries situated about the North Pole. Printed for Luke White, Dame Street, and Pat Byrne, Grafton Street, Dublin, 1786.
For the fourth time I had confirmation of The Swan and Mercurius, but to confuse everything Forster called Barentsz's ship
"The Boot / Messenger"
If you had been bored to death at this point and fell asleep earlier ...
Thus, I had three possibilities for the name of Barentsz's ship on the first expedition:
"Der Gesandte" translated into English gives the following options:
And the moment that I saw that one of "Der Gesandte"'s translations was "MESSENGER" the lights came on, big time! Now I had Mercury/Mercurius (Messenger of the Gods in Roman Mythology; Messenger and Messenger, but what about "Boot"?
The explanation came via the Hakluyt's Society Second Edition and another footnote.
And of course, the moment that I translated "Bote" into English, the answer was:
BINGO - Four out of four corroborations: The Hakluyt's Society's Two English translations, the work of Forster and the work of Litke.
I can state categorically and without any shadow of doubt that the name of Barentsz's ship during the First Expedition was "DE MERCURIUS".
Very interesting, Heinrich.
The German ‘Bote’ is also in Dutch ‘Bezorger’. In Dutch we have also ‘Postbode’. The person who delivered (bezorgd) the post, the messages. So he is a messenger: de postbezorger.
Regards, Peter
The German ‘Bote’ is also in Dutch ‘Bezorger’. In Dutch we have also ‘Postbode’. The person who delivered (bezorgd) the post, the messages. So he is a messenger: de postbezorger.
Regards, Peter
Last edited:
Wow, that was great sleuthing. A vast amount of historical data to sort through. Amazing that an “O” in “Boot” vs “Bote” was the key element to get just one step further in your research.
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I am glad you find it interesting Peter. I am very happy when I came to a nice, conclusive finding for the first expedition. One down, two to go!
In Afrikaans we also call the person who delivers the mail a "posbode".
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Jan, my friend, you nailed it. An extra "o" that was added incorrectly by the translator (who did a sterling job, otherwise) made such a big difference. I am really impressed by the Hakluyt translations - it definitely seems as if the English had a greater eye for detail and recording information than the Dutch - even when the information in question is all Dutch-derived.
Obviously, the Dutch are not going to call a vessel Mercury or Messenger - hence the name "de Mercurius". I am glad that the first hurdle is behind me.
Fascinating work Heinrich, you narrow the possibilitys down one by one