BİRİNCİ FEN · ÜÇÜNCÜ BÂB · BEŞİNCİ FASIL · Yedinci Madde
**Seventh Article**
Concerning the depth of the seas which are the dwelling place of the water layer, the vastness of the oceans, the globe of land and sea (the world), and navigating and traversing it by ship.
Know, O esteemed one! Philosophers have repeatedly measured and verified the depths of the seas and the distances of the ocean expanses, and they ultimately agreed upon this: The depth of the seas which are the receptacle of the water layer has been measured through repeated experimentation. The depths of those four seas were mentioned in previous articles.
The depth of the Atlantic Ocean was reached by four hundred fathoms with an *iskandil* [541] off the coasts of Spain and Portugal, apart from Sebta. However, on the coasts of Germany and Portugal, they have generally measured the ocean's depth to be only sixty zirā’s [542]. It has been observed that even their deepest places are less than one hundred zirā’s. Yet, in the northern regions, it has been seen that the ocean's depth exceeds four hundred fathoms. The depth of the Southern Hemisphere Sea was found to be near six thousand fathoms off the coasts of Sudan, Abyssinia, and Oman. In the areas of Persia, India, and China, the sea’s depth is known to be five thousand fathoms.
The depth of the Eastern Ocean has been observed in some places to exceed five hundred fathoms and in others more than six hundred fathoms off the coasts of China, (Tebük), and (Hitta) Tataristan. The depth of the Northern Ocean has been tested as three hundred fathoms in some places and four hundred fathoms in others. When the ocean's depth around the continent of America (the New World) was measured and verified, it was seen that the depth off its northern coasts was four to five thousand fathoms, while the depth off its southern coasts exceeded six to seven thousand fathoms. The depths of the very deep places in the middle part of the Great Ocean which encircles the world, on the underside of the globe, have been measured and definitively known to be less than eight thousand fathoms.
Finally, the height of the high mountains found within the seas has been measured as two and a half *fersāh* [543].
Indeed, the peaks of these high mountains in the ocean are visible, and they are called islands. Regarding the measurements of the circumference of the Great Ocean which encircles the world from shore to shore, we can say this: With a moderately blowing wind, a ship capable of traveling a distance of about one hundred miles (in a day and night) has been found, which constitutes a *mecrā* for that journey. At a constant speed, one thousand miles can be covered in ten days and three thousand miles in a month. Continuing in this manner, it is known to be possible to circumnavigate the globe in eight months.
Because land and sea are conceived as a single sphere like an egg and compared using various geometric proofs, it has been measured such that the circumference of the earth is approximately twenty-four thousand miles, which is equivalent to eight thousand *fersāh*.
Indeed, in the year 927 (A.D. 1519/1520) of the Hijri calendar, a captain named Magellan [Mongolian] embarked with one hundred men on two ships and passed beyond the Straits of Sebta (Ceuta). Departing from the port of Seville, he traveled along the coasts encircling the western regions, aiming for the point where the sun sets, and after thirty-eight days of travel, found an island (the Canary Islands) about four thousand miles from the place he had started. Then, setting his course towards southwest, he sailed for thirty-three days and arrived at an island named Cape Verde near the southern coasts of America, where he rested for several days. He then continued on his way, heading southwest, and traveled another thirty days to reach the southernmost point of America (Brazil), where he rested for about a month.
Afterward, he crossed the southern part of the American continent completely in forty days and made landfall there, taking a long respite. In the subsequent portion of his journey, he traveled sixty days between north and west, observed a deserted island, landed on it, and remained there for a while as well. Then, again, observing the point where the sun sets, he proceeded directly westward, and in a manner of speaking, eastward.
Relative to us, he passed through six points of the globe from west to east, thus arriving at the Indian Islands. (Relative to us), on the underside of the globe, he stopped at countless islands whose number we cannot know, taking various colored stones, diverse medicinal substances and fragrances, beautiful fragrant carnations, ginger, and cinnamon in each place, and arrived at the southern part of the Indian Peninsula, yearning for India. Afterward, he followed the Indian Ocean; traversing south of the lands of Persia, Arabia, and Abyssinia, and again beginning to follow the oceanic route.
Passing through the Mountains of Kamerun and the southern parts of Sudan, and passing along the western coasts of the Western countries and beyond the city of Sebta, he finally arrived back across from the Straits of Sebta. At this time, a cargo ship accompanying him was lost, laden with various goods that he had collected (from the places he visited). His own ship arrived ashore with seventy crew members.
Thus, in the year 930, he arrived at the port of Senloka near Seville and settled in his homeland. The duration of the circumnavigation of the world was three years less fourteen days. And during that time, he covered a sea distance of fifty thousand miles.
Because Captain Magellan’s ship did not travel on a straight line but followed a zigzag course, sometimes heading south and sometimes north, it took sixteen and a half months to complete the circumnavigation of the world, whereas a journey could have been made in eight months.
"Because the first to navigate the globe below was Captain Magellan. Therefore, he gained fame with that name in the world. The King of Spain greatly pleased by his travels and took him into his service. For the ship on which he embarked on a voyage around the world, he had a large shipyard built and covered it with red felt. Then those in that land began to visit and inspect this ship. They expressed their wonder, saying, 'He has accomplished an act never before seen since the time of Adam (peace be upon him) by completely circumnavigating the earth.' The information we have given regarding the conditions of the seas concludes here. The maps drawn below explain these matters in detail.
[532]. Note: In the manuscript copy, the tables depicted on two pages [72/a] and [72/b] have been arranged as three pages each in the layout. A translation of the explanations found on the tables in the printed copy, which are not present in the manuscript copy, is also included below.
The translation of the marginal note on page [72/a]: The numbers shown beneath and above the celestial signs and Roman months drawn on these two pages refer to the following: For example, the beginning of Aries corresponds to March eleventh, and its end to April ninth. Aries lasts for thirty days, and March has thirty-one days. Northern hours have been divided into six signs. In this manner, the writing of the hour numbers appears before the signs. For example, at the beginning of Aries, there are exactly twelve hours without more than a minute—and nighttime is also twelve hours. Midday is six hours. The first watch (asr-i evvel) is nine hours and twenty-six minutes; evening prayer is one hour and thirty-two minutes; dawn is ten hours and fourteen minutes. This can be compared by looking at the example: the end of Aries corresponds to the beginning of Leo.
The translation of the marginal note on page [72/b]: Similarly, the ending point of Leo completes at the beginning of Aries. The conditions of the other signs are known by comparing them with this. The last day of Pisces is March tenth. The beginning of March is the twenty-first of Pisces, and its end is the twenty-first of Aries. The beginning of February is the twenty-third of Aquarius, and its end is the twentieth of Pisces. The conditions of the other months are known by comparing them with the examples given here. Southern hours have also been divided into six signs in the same manner as northern hours.
[533]. In the manuscript copy, this sentence continues: “anâsır-ı mâdır ki ol bir cevher-i basît…”
[534]. See; The Prophets, 21:30.
[535]. "Glory to Him who created all living things from water."
[536]. A name of the Red Sea and a city that once stood on the coast of the Red Sea. Ahmet Rifat, Lugat-ı Tarihiyye ve Coğrafiyye [Historical and Geographical Dictionary], Reprint, Ankara 2004, vol. II, p. 22.-p.65.
[537]. In the printed copy, the phrase "Bahr-i Muhît-i Zenc" appears in the manuscript as “Bahr-i Zenc.” There is no sea called "Bahr-i Muhît-i Zenc" in Lugat-ı Tarihiyye. It probably refers to the travelers of Africa (Zenc) and says that they cannot see the North Pole, but have seen the South Pole.
[538]. Sebte: A city across the Strait of Gibraltar on the west coast of Africa. It is said to have been founded by the Carthaginians. (Ahmet Rifat, a.g.e., vol. II, p. 19.) It is a city on the northern coast of Morocco overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and although its population is largely Muslim, it is noted that it is under Spanish rule along with the city of Melila.
[539]. "Glory to Him who created the springs."
[540]. "Glory to Him who subjugated the springs."
[541]. Iskandil: An instrument used to measure the depth of the sea and employed on ships.
[542]. Zira‘: A length measurement from the elbow to the middle fingertip of an arm (approximately 75-90 cm).
[543]. Fersah: An ancient unit of measurement equivalent to 12,000 steps or four hours of travel. It is a unit of measurement equal to 3 nautical miles used by old Turkish sailors and approximately corresponds to 5,685 meters. Water has been counted as the fifth stratum relative to the fire stratum. Because the fine particles of seawater rise into the air through the heat of sunlight, they mix with fire, air, and earth, so that it is found to have a salty taste. As explained above, this seawater, mixing with air through the warmth of the sun, becomes vapor, clouds, snow, and rain, falling upon the earth, slowly joining rivers and streams. From there, it nourishes mines, stones, plants, and trees successively, and all living creatures (animals) and humans regain life. After giving life to all beings, the excess water flows again into the seas. “Glory to Him who created every living thing from water.” He is free from all imperfection."
The depth of the Atlantic Ocean, besides Sebte, has been measured by Spaniards and Portuguese as four fathoms to the bottom of the sea off the coasts of Spain and Portugal. However, in Germany and Portugal, the ocean's depth has mostly been measured as less than sixty zirâ‘. It has been observed that even the deepest places are less than one hundred zirâ’. But it has been seen that the depth of the southern seas is more than four fathoms northwards."
The depth of this sea is known to be five thousand fathoms.
North of the Mediterranean Sea lie the lands of Endulus (Spain), Greece, Franks (Europe), Rumelia and Anatolia. To the east are the provinces of Aleppo, Damascus, and the Holy City of Jerusalem. To the south are the lands of Egypt, Burka (Bârika; Bingâzi; Libya), Tunisia, and Algeria. To the west lie the land of Sebta and the Atlantic Ocean (Western Sea).
Water is counted as the fifth stratum relative to the stratum of fire. Because the fine particles of seawater rise with the heat of the sun’s rays, they mix with fire, air, and earth, resulting in a taste that is salty and bitter. As explained above, these sea waters, through the medium of the sun's warmth, mingle with the air becoming vapor, clouds, snow, and rain, which descends to the earth, gradually mixing with water sources and rivers. From them, minerals, stones, plants, and trees successively partake, and all living creatures (animals) and humans are renewed. After giving life to all living things, the excess water rejoins great rivers and is poured into the seas a second time. “We praise Allah who created every living thing from water,” He is free from all imperfection.
Sebta: A city west of Africa, across the Strait of Gibraltar. It is said to have been founded by the Carthaginians (Ahmet Rifat, op. cit., vol. II, p. 19). Located on the Mediterranean coast north of Morocco, it is noted that while its population is largely Muslim, it remains under Spanish dominion along with the city of Melila.
“Glory to Him who created the springs.”
The name of the Red Sea and a city once located on the shores of the Red Sea. (Ahmet Rifat, Lugat-ı Tarihiyye ve Coğrafiyye, Reprint, vol. II, Ankara 2004, pp. 22-65.)
The phrase "Bahr-i Muhît-i Zenc" found in the printed edition appears as “Bahr-i Zenc” in the manuscript copy. There is no sea called "Bahr-i Muhît-i Zenc" in Lugat-ı Tarihiyye. It likely refers to the coast of Africa (Zenc) and it is said that "travelers to the Sea of Abyssinia see the northern pole but not the southern one.”
Zira‘: A measure of length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (approximately 75-90 cm).
Fersah: An ancient unit of measurement equivalent to 12,000 steps or four hours of travel. It is a unit of measurement equal to 3 nautical miles, used by old Turkish sailors. Approximately equivalent to 5,685 meters.
“Glory to Him who has made the springs flow.”
Iskandil: An instrument used to measure the depth of the sea and employed on ships.
“Glorified is He who produced every living thing from water.”
In the manuscript copy, this sentence continues: “These are the elements that constitute a single essence…”
See: Prophets (Enbiyâ), 21/30.
Note: In the manuscript copy, tables depicting celestial constellations and Roman months are drawn on two pages [72/a] and [72/b], arranged as three-page spreads in the layout. The translations of the explanations found on these pages in the printed edition are included below.
Translation of the marginal note on page [72/a]:
The purpose of the numbers shown beneath and above the celestial constellations and Roman months drawn on these two pages is as follows: For example, the beginning of Aries corresponds to March 11th, and its end to April 9th. The sign of Aries lasts thirty days, and the month of March has thirty-one days. The northern hours have been divided into six signs. This manner of writing the hour numbers appears before the signs. For example, at the beginning of Aries, there are exactly twelve hours without more than a minute – and also twelve hours for night. Midday is six hours. The first instance of afternoon (asr-ı evvel) is nine hours and twenty-six minutes, evening prayer (yatsı vakti) is one hour and thirty-two minutes, and dawn (imsak vakti) is ten hours and fourteen minutes. For comparison, consider that the end of Aries corresponds to the beginning of Virgo.
Translation of the marginal note on page [72/b]:
Similarly, the ending point of Virgo completes itself at the beginning of Aries. The condition of other signs can be known by comparing them with this. March 10th is the end of Pisces. March begins on the twenty-first of Pisces and ends on the twenty-first of Aries. February begins on the twenty-third of Aquarius and ends on the twentieth of Pisces. The conditions of other months are known by comparing them to the examples given here. Southern hours have also been divided into six signs, just like northern hours.
[73/a]
The depth of the Atlantic Ocean is such that, besides Sebta, they have reached the seabed four fathoms with an iskandil off the coasts of Spain and Portugal. On the coasts of Germany and Portugal, however, the ocean’s depth has mostly been measured as only sixty zirâ‘. It has been observed that even their deepest places are less than one hundred zirâ‘. However, it is seen that in northern regions, the ocean's depth exceeds four fathoms. The depth of the Southern Hemisphere Sea has been found to be close to six thousand fathoms near Sudan, Abyssinia, and Oman. In the areas of Iran, India, and China, the sea’s depth is known to be five thousand fathoms.
Kulzüm: A city located on the seashore. The sea is named in relation to that city. Since this sea is adjacent to the Encompassing Sea (Bahr-i muhît), the tides here resemble those of the Encompassing Sea. It was there that Pharaoh drowned with his army. It stretches like a long mountain range between the Red Sea and Yemen.
“Glorified is He who created seas with His wisdom, free from all imperfection.”
The length and width of the Red Sea are said to be equal to that of the Caspian Sea (Hazar Denizi).
"Praise be to Allah, who has subjected the seas to our command; He is free from all imperfection!"
The depth of the Eastern Ocean has been observed to exceed five hundred cubits in some places near China, (Tabuk), and Tataria, and in others, more than six hundred cubits. The depth of the Northern Ocean has been measured at times three hundred cubits and at other times four hundred cubits. When the depths around the continent of America (the New World) were measured and examined, it was seen that the depths off its northern shores are four to five thousand cubits, while in the southern regions they exceed six or seven thousand cubits. The depth of the most profound areas in the middle of the Great Ocean, which encircles the globe—those parts on the earth’s under-surface—has been measured and ascertained to be less than eight thousand cubits. Finally, the height of the high mountains found within the depths of the seas has been measured at two and a half farsakhs.
O esteemed one! Know that philosophers and astronomers are agreed that the third of the four primary elements is water, which is a simple substance: colorless, transparent, and spherical. Its natural characteristic is to be moist and cold. It is dense compared to air, and because it adjoins dense bodies, it is contrary to the other three elements. It possesses the ability to assume new forms through generation and decay. When it emerges from its source, it mixes with other elements and undergoes change. Even when at rest in its own place, it transforms into other elements. While remaining in its own nature, it moves due to various and necessary causes.