U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey
1852

852 U.S. Coast Survey Chart of Key West Harbor, Florida

Preliminary Chart of Key-West Harbor and Approaches From a Trigonometrical Survey under the direction of A.D. Bache, Superintendent of the Survey of the Coast of the United States.

DESCRIPTION: Detailed 1852 second-edition nautical chart of Key West Harbor and its approaches, prepared by the U.S. Coast Survey under Superintendent Alexander Dallas Bache. Based on a trigonometrical survey, the chart credits triangulation to J. E. Hilgard, topography to I. H. Adams, and hydrography to the party commanded by Lieutenant John Rodgers, U.S. Navy. Issued as "Sketch F No. 3" at a scale of 1:60,000.

The chart depicts Key West and the surrounding islands, banks, reefs, and channels connecting its harbor with the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Straits. Numerous soundings, shoal outlines, navigational aids, and coastal landmarks record the intricate waters confronting vessels approaching the port. Soundings are expressed in feet in the shallower areas and fathoms beyond, referenced to mean low water.

Extensive sailing directions describe the East, Main Ship, Rock, Sand Key, West, and North West channels. Instructions guide mariners by aligning the Key West lighthouse, beacons, islands, and the observatories of Tift and Filor. The text includes advice on anchoring, obtaining a pilot, and avoiding dangerous ground, illustrating the practical importance of recognizable shore landmarks before electronic navigation.

Four seabed profiles along the lower edge illustrate coral formations and the changing depths across selected reefs and channels. A tide table and explanatory notes supplement the chart. Together, these features document the Coast Survey's systematic effort to make navigation safer through the shallow, reef-studded approaches to Key West.

CREATOR: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey

PUBLICATION DATE: 1852

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States

BODY OF WATER: Gulf of Mexico

CONDITION: Good. Small split at one fold, easily repaired.

COLORING: Not colored.

ENGRAVER:

SIZE: 14 " x 18 "

ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 0

PRICE: $225

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