DESCRIPTION: Early 1901 harbor chart of the port of New Haven, Connecticut by George W. Eldridge. Key features noted include the Southwest Ledge Light, several breakwaters, Five Mile Point, Fort Hale, Sandy Point, Morris Cove, West Haven, and Fair Haven. Numerous aids to navigation, anchorages, and depth soundings.
Much useful information including soundings, anchorages, ranges, buoys, and bottom composition are presented by Eldridge in a clear graphic style that would have been helpful to mariners. The chart is printed with bold black coastal outlines that would have been much easier to read under poor lighting conditions. Lighthouses, buoys, and other aids to navigation are highlighted in red. Bottom composition is presented according to an attached table of abbreviations.
Attribution reads: 'AUTHORIZED and PUBLISHED By Geo. W. Eldridge, Vineyard Haven, Mass. and 152 State Street, Boston. Copyright by Geo. W. Eldridge 1901.' Number 17 in Eldridge's book of harbor charts.
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: 1901
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States
BODY OF WATER: New Haven Harbor
CONDITION: Very Good.
Clean on strong paper with adequate margins.
COLORING: Uncolored except MS red notations and aids to navigation.
ENGRAVER:
SIZE: 19
" x
14 "
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 10
PRICE: $250
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