The Estoterx blog shares the tale of Étienne Bottineau of Île de France, a master of “nauscopy,” the ability to detect ships over the visible horizon. Known as the Sorcerer of Mauritius, Bottineau became a sailor at 15 and soon became adept at detecting ships no one else could see, a skill he dubbed nauscopy. When his services were offered to the French government in 1780, the sea minister ordered authorities to study Bottineau’s predictions by recording his findings and comparing them to results. During that period, he accurately predicted the arrival of 150 ships.
In 1784, Bottineau tried to convince the government of his usefulness, but without luck. Then the French Revolution happened. While Bottineau was championed by Jean Paul Marat, this sponsorship was short-lived, as Marat was stabbed to death soon after. Bottineau apparently “died in great misery” in Pondicherry.
Bottineau never wrote down his methods. Was he a charlatan, as many presumed? Had he uncovered some nautical science that he never shared? What he magical? A mutant? Are you interested in writing the story of Étienne Bottineau or could you use a character like him in your historical or fantasy novel?
