NAUTICAL CHARTS

BY

G. R. PUTNAM, M.S.

MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
DIRECTOR OF COAST SURVEYS, PHILIPPINE
ISLANDS, 1900 TO 1906

FIRST EDITION
FIRST THOUSAND

NEW YORK
JOHN WILEY & SONS
London: CHAPMAN & HALL, Limited
1908

Copyright, 1908,
by
G. R. PUTNAM

Stanhope Press

F. H. GILSON COMPANY
BOSTON, U.S.A.

PREFACE

In preparing the material for a lecture on Charts for Columbia University, the writer was impressed with the fact that although nautical charts are mentioned or discussed in many publications, there was not found any one which covered the general subject of their origin, construction, and use. In the countries of the world more than a million copies of such charts are now issued annually. A considerable portion of the human race is interested directly or indirectly, whether as mariners or passengers or shippers, in navigation upon the sea. Aside from supplying a handbook for those who might have a general interest in the subject, it was thought that a discussion of charts might lead to further consideration of the principles governing their construction.

This paper has intentionally been made as non-technical as seemed feasible in treating a somewhat technical subject. The writer is indebted to the Coast and Geodetic Survey for various illustrative material from its archives, and to a number of authors for facts or suggestions. A list is appended of books and papers which have been freely consulted, bearing on this and related subjects.

G. R. P.

Washington, D.C., May 24, 1908.

CONTENTS

[Pg vi-vii]

LIST OF BOOKS OR PAPERS BEARING ON NAUTICAL CHARTS AND RELATED SUBJECTS

Periplus, an Essay on the Early History of Charts, and Sailing Directions. A. E. Nordenskiöld, Stockholm, 1897.

Maps, their Uses and Construction. G. James Morrison, London, 1902.

Charts and Chart Making. Lieut. John E. Pillsbury, U.S.N., in Proceedings U. S. Naval Institute, 1884.

Principal Facts relating to the Earth's Magnetism. L. A. Bauer, in U. S. Magnetic Declination Tables, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1903.

Marine Hydrographic Surveys of the Coasts of the World. G. W. Littlehales, in Report of the Eighth International Geographic Congress, 1904.

Smithsonian Geographical Tables. R. S. Woodward, Washington, 1906.

Admiralty Charts, Abridged list of. Published by J. D. Potter, London, 1907.

Military Topography. Capt. C. B. Hagadorn, U.S.A., West Point, 1907.

Service Hydrographique de la Marine, Paris, 1900.

A Manual of Conventional Symbols in Use on Official Charts. United States Hydrographic Office, Gustave Herrle, 1903.

Hydrographical Surveying. Admiral W. J. L. Wharton, London, 1898.

On the Correction of Charts, Light Lists, and Sailing Directions. Published by J. D. Potter, London, 1904.

Notes Relative to the Use of Charts. D. B. Wainwright, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1900.

The Law relating to Charts and Sailing Directions. H. Stuart Moore, London, 1904.

Notes bearing on the Navigation of H. M. Ships. Hydrographic Office, London, 1900.

The Relations of Harbors to Modern Shipping. W. H. Wheeler, in Engineering News, September 6, 1906, New York.

Wrinkles in Practical Navigation. Capt. S. T. S. Lecky, London, 1899.

Navigation and Compass Deviations. Commander W. C. P. Muir, U.S.N., Annapolis, 1906.

The Practice of Navigation. Henry Raper, London, 1898.

Lehrbuch der Navigation. Reichs-Marine-Amt, Berlin, 1906.

The Nautical Magazine, London.

Dangers and Ice in the North Atlantic Ocean. Bureau of Navigation, U. S. Navy Department, 1868.

Reported Dangers