U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey
1851

Rare engraved chart of Hell Gate and its approaches New York City

Hell Gate and its Approaches from a Trigonometrical Survey under the direction of F.R. Hassler and A.D. Bache Superintendents of the SURVEY OF THE COAST OF THE UNITED STATES Triangulation by Edmund Blunt Assistant

DESCRIPTION: Rolled, antique navigational and hydrographic chart of Hell Gate at the East River of New York City, 1851. Original and scarce. With sailing directions and numerous depth soundings. Copper-plate engraving with very fine detail. Not an electrotype copy. Triangulation by Edmund Blunt.

This chart encompasses what was previously a dangerous area to navigate. According to the NOAA website, during the 18th and early 19th century, strong currents and submerged rocks made Hell Gate "a graveyard for ships". This chart shows Hell Gate in 1851, the year when the U.S. Army began blasting underwater rocks and obstructions to make the channel safe for marine traffic.

Visible plate mark with ink smudges outside the neatline confirm usage of the intaglio printing method from an engraved copper plate. A separately issued chart, not a marked as a 'survey' or 'preliminary' chart on thin paper issued in the annual reports to Congress. Contains the circular stamp of the U.S. Coast Survey Office.

CREATOR: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey

PUBLICATION DATE: 1851

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States

BODY OF WATER: East River NYC

CONDITION: Good. Chart is rolled, with no folds, on medium-weight wove paper. Printers smudges in the wide 3" margins will be invisible when matted. Brown spot toward bottom left,

COLORING: None

ENGRAVER: Rolle, Dankworth, and McCoy

SIZE: 35 " x 24 "

ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 68

PRICE: $1550

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