Meaning of 'Seefahrt ist Not'
Hello, I have this aluminium Tinnie for The Day of German Seafaring, 1935. I am wondering what the meaning of 'Seefahrt ist Not' is? Google translate dosnt work for this and there are various different meanings given on the web. Any help appreciated. Doug
The nazi's took this motto as a propaganda-concept. It was based upon a novel from Gorch Fock: Seefahrt ist Not,
which I would translate as shipping is necessity.
Fock in fact was Johann Kinau, who wrote this most read book.
There even existed a national-socialist magazine with this title, meant for sailor's (Deutsche Seefahrer). The motto came from
Navigare necesse est, vivere non (Shipping is a necessity, life is not).
The US-magazine "Military Advisor" published an extensive article with 21 pages about this badge (vol.18, number 4 from fall 2007)
by me and Mathieu de Wolf, assisted by Hans-Peter Lopatka.
Nice Tinnies, I have a couple of examples. I always translated it as 'sea travel is essential' so thank you Wilhelm
Nick
"In all my years as a soldier, I have never seen men fight so hard." - SS Obergruppenfuhrer Wilhelm Bittrich - Arnhem
A superb response. Thanks.
by Wilhelm Saris
The nazi's took this motto as a propaganda-concept. It was based upon a novel from Gorch Fock: Seefahrt ist Not,
which I would translate as shipping is necessity.
Fock in fact was Johann Kinau, who wrote this most read book.
There even existed a national-socialist magazine with this title, meant for sailor's (Deutsche Seefahrer). The motto came from
Navigare necesse est, vivere non (Shipping is a necessity, life is not).
The US-magazine "Military Advisor" published an extensive article with 21 pages about this badge (vol.18, number 4 from fall 2007)
by me and Mathieu de Wolf, assisted by Hans-Peter Lopatka.
I would say this is okay also woolgar. There are more possibilities to translate it!
I always liked these badges and it is so interesting there as so many manufacturers.
The festivities in 1935 were quite extensive!
A few pages from the earlier mentioned magazine are shown for the interest of WRF-members!
Also in the German "Militaria"-magazine number 1/2 from January-April 2007
the article was being published. See two pages with some color.
As always, Wim has provided the answer correctly and in detail.
Just allow me to add a little to it:
While the quote "Seefahrt ist not" was popularized by Gorch Fock's eponymous novel and will forever be associated with him, its roots are actually much older:
It is attributed to the Roman military and political leader Pompey. Responsible for supplying rome with grain, he had it imported by sea from many mediterranean locations. On one occasion, when the sailors did not want to set to sea due to an approaching storm, Pompey called out to them: "Navigare necesse est, vivere non est necesse", roughly meaning "To go to sea is necessary, to live is not necessary". This Latin quote still adorns the portal of the Haus der Seefahrt [House of Seafaring] in Bremen.
Also, it is worth noting that the quote "Seefahrt is not" is ambiguous to German ears. It can also be understood as "Seefahrt ist Not", meaning "Seafaring is hardship".
Most interesting, I have learned a lot, thank you.
I also have 1 of these,so thanks Wilhelm and HPL.
I also have 1 of these,so thanks Wilhelm and HPL.
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