DESCRIPTION: Detailed French engraved chart of Ascension Island in the South Atlantic, based on surveys made during the January 1825 visit of La Coquille under Louis-Isidore Duperrey. Published in the hydrographic atlas accompanying the official account of the expedition's 1822-1825 circumnavigation.
The chart emphasizes Ascension's volcanic landscape, with numerous isolated cones, crater-like depressions, steep coastal slopes, and the deeply dissected highlands surrounding Green Mountain. Closely worked hachures distinguish the rugged uplands from the more open terrain, while gullies and tracks extend across the interior. The coastline is carefully delineated, with offshore soundings concentrated around the western anchorage at Sandy Bay.
A lettered reference key identifies selected features, supplemented by a north arrow, coordinate reference lines, and a scale in nautical miles. The combination of inland topography and coastal hydrography made the chart useful both for approaching vessels and for understanding the island's difficult terrain.
Ascension was one of the final calls of Duperrey's expedition before its return to France. The chart records this isolated Atlantic island during the early years of British occupation, presenting the volcanic landscape and anchorage as observed by a French scientific surveying expedition.Louis Isidore Duperrey (1786-1865)
Louis Isidore Duperrey was a notable French marine hydrographer and explorer. Born on October 21, 1786, in Paris, France, Duperrey developed a keen interest in marine sciences from a young age. He began his career as a midshipman in the French Navy, and his passion for hydrography and cartography led him to become a prominent figure in the field.
Duperrey's most renowned expedition was his command of the French ship 'Coquille' from 1822 to 1825. The voyage took him to various parts of the world, including Chile, Peru, Polynesia, the Molucca Islands (Indonesia), New Ireland (Papua New Guinea), and Australia. During this expedition, Duperrey conducted extensive hydrographic surveys, gathering crucial scientific data on oceanography, meteorology, and the natural world.
Beyond his achievements in cartography and marine sciences, Duperrey was also a skilled linguist. He displayed a remarkable talent for learning and recording indigenous languages encountered during his voyages. His linguistic work contributed significantly to the understanding of local cultures and facilitated communication with indigenous populations.
After the 'Coquille' expedition, Duperrey continued to make important contributions to the field of hydrography. He held the position of director of the Hydrographic Office in France and was responsible for producing accurate charts and maps of coastal regions. Duperrey's scientific achievements were widely recognized during his lifetime. He received numerous honors, including being elected as a member of the prestigious French Academy of Sciences in 1838. He also authored several scientific publications based on his expeditions and research.
PUBLICATION DATE: 1827
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: N/A
BODY OF WATER: South Atlantic
CONDITION: Good.
No issues.
COLORING: N/A
ENGRAVER:
SIZE:
" x
"
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION:
PRICE: $150
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