A New General Chart of the Atlantic or Western Ocean and Adjacent Seas
PublisherPublished by
Laurie & Whittle
(British, 1794 - 1812)
Date1794
MediumEngraving; black printer's ink on paper
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 38 x 55 1/2in. (96.5 x 141cm)
Sheet (height x width): 38 x 55 1/2in. (96.5 x 141cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
Object number2012.312.135
DescriptionNautical chart, composed of four sheets, of the Atlantic Ocean and the coastlines of North, Central and South America, the Caribbean islands, Europe and Africa. Coastal cities and smaller nautical features, such as rivers, bays and seas, are labeled, while the interior lands are not. Coastal depth measurements are provided around the Gulf of Mexico and up the coast of North America, stopping around Newfoundland, and for the coasts of Africa, Spain and France, but not the British Isles or northern Europe. At the top left, there is an inset of Hudson Bay and the surrounding area.
The equator and Tropic of Cancer are labeled. The 32-point compass rose is located in the center of the map, with 16 smaller 32-point compasses surrounding it in a circle. The scale of sea leagues is marked down the center of the map, from top to bottom, and degrees of latitude and longitude are provided, starting from the equator and Prime Meridian, in the center of the map and around the edges.
The decorative cartouche at the bottom right frames the title and publication information, and features the Anemoi, personified winds in classical Greece, at the top. On the left side, there are several tropical trees, including palms, while on the right, there are trees common to a temperate climate. Below the publication information, there is an assortment of shells and coral, and at the bottom left and right corners of the frame are two elongated, scalloped shells. A piece of cloth is draped across the bottom of the frame.
The equator and Tropic of Cancer are labeled. The 32-point compass rose is located in the center of the map, with 16 smaller 32-point compasses surrounding it in a circle. The scale of sea leagues is marked down the center of the map, from top to bottom, and degrees of latitude and longitude are provided, starting from the equator and Prime Meridian, in the center of the map and around the edges.
The decorative cartouche at the bottom right frames the title and publication information, and features the Anemoi, personified winds in classical Greece, at the top. On the left side, there are several tropical trees, including palms, while on the right, there are trees common to a temperate climate. Below the publication information, there is an assortment of shells and coral, and at the bottom left and right corners of the frame are two elongated, scalloped shells. A piece of cloth is draped across the bottom of the frame.
Label TextThis British chart was published just ten years following American independence and would have been used by seamen of both nations engaged in trade between Europe, the United States, the Caribbean, and Africa in the years following the Revolution and leading up to the War of 1812. This important and extremely detailed chart was based on an original French chart, first published in 1777, with many later English editions. The London publishers Laurie & Whittle, who produced this version of the chart, also published sailing directions to accompany their chart, a clear indication that it was intended as a practical aid to navigation to be used by mariners.
NotesCartographic Note: No scaleSubject Note: This map was first published in 1777 and initially credited the cartographer, Charles Pierre Claret de Fleurieu, and his colleague, Ferdinand Berthoud.
Status
Not on view
