How does Cartier's charting of rivers relate to modern navigation?
My charting of the St. Lawrence River, though rudimentary by your modern standards, laid the groundwork for future understanding of navigable waterways. I meticulously recorded depths, currents, and potential hazards, like the swiftness of the water and the presence of shoals. This practice of 'taking soundings' and observing the 'lay of the land' is fundamental to all navigation. My detailed accounts, as found in my journals, served as an early map, allowing subsequent mariners to approach and traverse these waters with greater knowledge, just as you now rely on detailed charts and hydrographic surveys.
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