DESCRIPTION: Separately issued nautical charts of Gloucester Harbor and of Sandy Bay on the Cape Ann peninsula in Massachusetts. Includes the Massachusetts towns of Rockport and Gloucester. Other key features include Fresh Water Cove, Tenpound Island, Southeast Harbor, Eastern Point, Thatcher's Island, Milk Island, Loblolly Cove, Whale Cove, Straitsmouth Island, The Rockport Granite Company, and Andrews Point. Much useful information including soundings, ranges, buoys, and bottom composition are presented in a clear graphic style that would have been appreciated by and helpful to mariners. For instance, these charts are printed with bold black coastal outlines that would have been easier to read under poor lighting conditions.
Attribution reads: 'AUTHORIZED and PUBLISHED By Geo. W. Eldridge, Vineyard Haven, Mass and 132 State St. Boston.' Price when issued was 30 cents.
George Washington Eldridge (1845-1914)
George Washington Eldridge (1845-1914) was an American cartographer, publisher, and sailor. He was born on October 23, 1845, in Chatham, Massachusetts, United States, and was the son of the famous cartographer and hydrographer George Eldridge (1821-1900). The Eldridges are among the best known private publishers of nautical charts during the 19th century, they published their own charts in competition with the U.S. Coast Survey.
Eldridge grew up in a family of sailors and was trained by his father in cartography and navigation. In 1866, at the age of 21, he started working for his father's chart-making and publishing business, which was based in Chatham. Later, he took over the business and expanded it, adding new products such as sailing guides, tide tables, and nautical almanacs.
Eldridge's most famous publication was the "Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book," which he first published in 1875. The book became an essential resource for sailors and navigators along the East Coast of the United States and remains in publication to this day. He also created charts and maps for the U.S. Navy during the Spanish-American War.
In addition to his work as a cartographer and publisher, Eldridge was an accomplished sailor who participated in several yacht races and regattas. G.W. was also a member of the Boston Yacht Club and served as its commodore from 1898 to 1900. One of Eldridge's most significant accomplishments was the construction of a new clubhouse for the Boston Yacht Club. Eldridge led the effort to raise funds and oversee the construction of the new facility, which was located on the waterfront in Marblehead, Massachusetts.
Source: Guthorn, Peter. United State Coastal Charts: 1783 - 1861. Exton, Pennsylvania. 1984. p. 12.
PUBLICATION DATE: 1908
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States
BODY OF WATER: Gloucester Bay
CONDITION: Fair.
Some smuding and dirt as shown in photos. Short margins with marginal losses at bottom outside neatline. Tiny loss inside neatline at bottom right corner as shown.
COLORING: None
ENGRAVER:
SIZE: 18
" x
13 "
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 0
PRICE: $125
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