440 THE MAELSTROM. 
Stream called Moskoe-strom, from the island Moskoe, which is 
in the middle of it, together with several circumjacent isles, 
as Amhaaren, half a quarter of a league northward, Iflesen, 
Hocholm, Kieldholm, Suarven, and Buckholm. Moskoe lies 
about half a quarter of a mile south of the island of Ver, and 
betwixt them these small islands, Otterholm, Flimen, Sand- 
flesen, Stockholm. Betwixt Losoden and Moskoe the depth 
of the water is between thirty-six and forty fathoms ; but on 
the other side, toward Ver, the depth decreases, so as not to 
afford a convenient passage for a vessel without the risk of 
splitting on the rocks, which happens even in the calmest 
weather ; when it is flood the stream runs up the country be- 
tween Losoden and Moskoe with a boisterous rapidity : but the 
roar of its impetuous ebb to the sea is scarce equalled by the 
loudest and most dreadful cataracts : the noise being heard seve- 
ral leagues off, and the vortices or pits are of such an extent and 
depth that if a ship comes within its attraction it is inevitably ab- 
sorbed and carried down to the bottom, and there beat to pieces 
against the rocks ; and when the water relaxes, the fragments 
thereof are thrown up again. But these intervals of tranquillity 
are only at the turn of the ebb and flood, and calm weather : 
and last but a quarter of an hour, its violence gradually return- 
ing. When the stream is most boisterous, and its fury height- 
ened by a storm, it is dangerous to oome within a Norway 
mile of it ; boats, ships, and ^^achts having been carried away 
by not guarding against it before they were within its reach. 
It likewise happens frequently that whales come too near the 
stream and are overpowered by its violence ; and then it is im- 
possible to describe their bowlings and bellowings in their 
fruitless struggles to disengage themselves. A bear once at- 
tempting to swim from Losoden to Moskoe, with a design, of 
preying upon the sheep at pasture in the island, afforded the 
like spectacle to the people ; the stream caught him and bore 
him down, whilst he roared terribly, so as to be heard on 
shore. Large stocks of firs and pine trees, after being absorb- 
ed by the current, rise again, broken and torn to such a degree 
as if bristles grew on them. This plainly shows the bottom 
to consist of craggy rocks, among which they are whirled to 
and fro. This stream is regulated by the flux and reflux of 
the sea ; it being constantly high and low water every six 
hours. In the year 1645, early in the morning of Sexagesima 
Sunday, it raged with such noise and impetuosity that on the 
island of Moskoe the very stones of the houses fell to the 
ground." 
