I just completed my reading of “The Riddle of the Sands”, which was edited by Erskine Childers (1870-1922). I read the text as an Epub and didn’t get to read the Preface or get to view the accompanied maps and charts. As you know I love my maps and charts.
“The Riddle of the Sands” is a record of secret service that had been recently achieved (1902). The preface will give you some of the details. For the full story I highly recommend this novel. The novel starts off a bit slowly, but if you are like me and like a good sea yarn you will appreciate all the navigation details, and will come to appreciate the knowledgeable seamanship of captain Davies.
Preface
"A WORD about the origin and authorship of this book:
In October last (1902), my friend 'Carruthers' visited me in my
chambers, and, under a provisional pledge of secrecy, told me frankly
the whole of the adventure described in these pages. Till then I had
only known as much as the rest of his friends, namely, that he had
recently undergone experiences during a yachting cruise with a certain
Mr 'Davies' which had left a deep mark on his character and habits.
At the end of his narrative—which, from its bearing on studies and
speculations of my own, as well as from its intrinsic interest and racy
delivery, made a very deep impression on me—he added that the important
facts discovered in the course of the cruise had, without a moment's
delay, been communicated to the proper authorities, who, after some
dignified incredulity, due in part, perhaps, to the pitiful inadequacy
of their own secret service, had, he believed, made use of them, to
avert a great national danger. I say 'he believed', for though it was
beyond question that the danger was averted for the time, it was
doubtful whether they had stirred a foot to combat it, the secret
discovered being of such a nature that mere suspicion of it on this
side was likely to destroy its efficacy.
There, however that may be, the matter rested for a while, as, for
personal reasons which will be manifest to the reader, he and Mr
'Davies' expressly wished it to rest.
But events were driving them to reconsider their decision. These seemed
to show that the information wrung with such peril and labor from the
German Government, and transmitted so promptly to our own, had had none
but the most transitory influence on our policy. Forced to the
conclusion that the national security was really being neglected, the
two friends now had a mind to make their story public; and it was about
this that 'Carruthers' wished for my advice. The great drawback was
that an Englishman, bearing an honoured name, was disgracefully
implicated, and that unless infinite delicacy were used, innocent
persons, and, especially, a young lady, would suffer pain and
indignity, if his identity were known. Indeed, troublesome rumours,
containing a grain of truth and a mass of falsehood, were already
afloat.
After weighing both sides of the question, I gave my vote emphatically
for publication. The personal drawbacks could, I thought, with tact be
neutralized; while, from the public point of view, nothing but good
could come from submitting the case to the common sense of the country
at large. Publication, therefore, was agreed upon, and the next point
was the form it should take. 'Carruthers', with the concurrence of Mr
'Davies', was for a bald exposition of the essential facts, stripped of
their warm human envelope. I was strongly against this course, first,
because it would aggravate instead of allaying the rumours that were
current; secondly, because in such a form the narrative would not carry
conviction, and would thus defeat its own end. The persons and the
events were indissolubly connected; to evade, abridge, suppress, would
be to convey to the reader the idea of a concocted hoax. Indeed, I took
bolder ground still, urging that the story should be made as explicit
and circumstantial as possible, frankly and honestly for the purpose of
entertaining and so of attracting a wide circle of readers. Even
anonymity was undesirable. Nevertheless, certain precautions were
imperatively needed.
To cut the matter short, they asked for my assistance and received it
at once. It was arranged that I should edit the book; that 'Carruthers'
should give me his diary and recount to me in fuller detail and from
his own point of view all the phases of the 'quest', as they used to
call it; that Mr 'Davies' should meet me with his charts and maps and
do the same; and that the whole story should be written, as from the
mouth of the former, with its humours and errors, its light and its
dark side, just as it happened; with the following few limitations. The
year it belongs to is disguised; the names of persons are throughout
fictitious; and, at my instance certain slight liberties have been
taken to conceal the identity of the English characters.
Remember, also that these persons are living now in the midst of us,
and if you find one topic touched on with a light and hesitating pen,
do not blame the Editor, who, whether they are known or not, would
rather say too little than say a word that might savour of
impertinence."
E. C.
March 1903
Accompanied Maps and Charts (The preface, maps and charts are not available in the epub version.)
Map A—General Map
Chart A—Chart to Illustrate the Stranding of the 'Dulcibella,' etc.
Map B—Map of East Friesland
Chart B—Chart of Juist, Memmert, and Part of Norderney
Sketch—Memmert Salvage Depot
