Heinrich Smidt

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Heinrich Smidt, painted by Adolf von Menzel, 1850 Heinrich Smidt by Adolf von Menzel.jpeg
Heinrich Smidt, painted by Adolf von Menzel, 1850

Heinrich Smidt (1798–1867) was a German writer. He wrote novels and adventure stories about the sea, [1] as well as the article "Die Klabautermann", about the German water sprite of the same name, in the German publication Seegemälde in 1828. [2]

Klabautermann

A Klabautermann is a water kobold that assists sailors and fishermen on the Baltic and North Sea in their duties. It is a merry and diligent creature, with an expert understanding of most watercraft, and an irrepressible musical talent. It is believed to rescue sailors washed overboard. The name comes from the Low German verb klabastern meaning "rumble" or "make a noise". An etymology deriving the name from the verb kalfatern has also been suggested.

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References

  1. Gostwick, Joseph, and Robert Harrison (1873). Outlines of German Literature. New York City: Holt & Williams, p. 534.
  2. Kirby, David, and Merja-Liisa Hinkkanen (2000). The Baltic and the North Seas. London: Routledge, p. 281. ISBN   0-415-13282-7.