Preliminary Survey of Humbolt Bay California
Washington: U. S. Coast Survey Office, 1851.
Sea chart. Uncolored lithograph. Sheet measures 19.25 x 15.25"
This is a nice 1851 U.S. Coast Survey nautical chart of Humboldt Bay, California, at the time of rapid growth of the region following the 1849 Gold Rush. The chart meticulously details the bay's soundings, anchorages, and provides sailing directions, tidal information, and other navigational data. It covers the area from Indian Island and Samoa to Fields Landing, including the towns of Eureka, Humboldt, and Bucksport, the latter of which was a short-lived settlement during the Gold Rush. An inset sketch and an elevation profile of the Red Bluff entrance to Humboldt Bay are also included. Created under the supervision of A. D. Bache, the chart captures coastal features that have likely changed over time, offering valuable insights into the area's historical geography. In good condition. Minor toning to edges, does not affect image.
Alexander Dallas Bache (1806-1867) was a prominent surveyor and the superintendent of the U.S. Coast Survey from 1843 to 1865. A great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, Bache was deeply committed to advancing American science and navigation. He successfully lobbied Congress for funding, allowing the Coast Survey to achieve significant milestones. Bache continued the rigorous scientific principles established by his predecessor, Ferdinand Hassler, and played a crucial role in the development of sea charts that served both scientific and military purposes. Additionally, Bache was a founding figure in the American Academy of Sciences, further solidifying his impact on the scientific community.
The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey was first established in 1807 and is the oldest scientific organization in the U.S Government. After the Civil War, the bureau took responsibility for mapping and conducting geodetic surveys of the the interior of the expanding country. Over the course of the 19th century, the survey worked closely with the U.S. Navy to produce sea charts of the country's coasts, harbors, and waters that could serve scientific as well as military functions. The first superintendent, Ferdinand Hassler, set the foundation for the Survey's rigorous scientific standards, employing advanced techniques and a labor-intensive triangulation system to ensure accuracy. His successor, Alexander Dallas Bache, expanded the Survey's influence, securing funding and overseeing its most critical work from 1843 to 1865. The organization evolved into the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1878 and is now part of NOAA as the National Geodetic Survey.
Binding: Unbound
Language: English
Price: $165.00
Item #323152