Taking Stock

30. December 1569

For three whole days the storm raged as never before in all my years at sea. Powerful and tall breakers beat against the ships, washed over the decks, and swept many a brave sailor into the depths. Only when the sky cleared this morning did the full extent of the disaster become apparent:

More than half of the fleet has disappeared, pulled into the dark depths by the elemental forces or torn to pieces. Some survivors, who clung desperately to flotsam, could still be rescued, but for innumerable people any help came too late. May the Lord take care of their souls!