A seaworthy book? Samuel Sturmy's \textit{Mariner's magazine} (1669) from conception to reception (Q6999224)

The article traces the production and use of Samuel Sturmy's (1633--1669) \textit{Mariner's magazine}, published shortly before Sturmy's early death. After four years at sea, Sturmy had been a captain at the age of 23, but left that career well before engaging in the composition of the book.\N\NThe book goes far beyond what seems to be promised by its shortened title -- but the title page actually tells much more. In the author's words (p. 358), the book ``covers all manner of subjects, nautical, terrestrial and heavenly. Surveying, gunnery, sundials, barrel gauging and even fireworks feature, sometimes in logical sequence, sometimes apparently at random'' (actually, also fortification, customs regulation, etc.). ``In fact, The \textit{Mariner's magazine} is not one book at all: the overall structure is given by its seven separate `books'''.\N\NThis contents corresponds to the complex intended audience. As shown in the last part of the article, one copy was actually used in transatlantic navigation. But it was also part of Sturmy's (unsuccessful) attempt to be accepted as a Fellow of the Royal Society and thereby addressed to the milieu of virtuosi, and further to the environment of mathematical practitioners and instrument makers. Even the production of the text involved several hands. In particular, the mathematical practitioner Henry Philippes (who had also brought Sturmy into contact with the debates and participation in the investigations of the variation of the magnetic deviation) acted as a corrector, in which role he not only guided the very intricate typesetting but also intervened in the text. The delicacy of the typesetting was enhanced by the presence of ``well over 100 typeset tables, around 200 woodcut and copperplate diagrams and illustrations'' (p. 368) and the printing by several printing presses.\N\NThree further editions were made after Sturmy's death, showing strong interest in his \textit{Magazine}. That interest only subsided after ca. 1700, when cheaper and more handy manuals became available.\N\NFor the entire collection see [Zbl 1553.01002].