Mahon, Charles “Atlantic Coast of the United States. Cape Hatteras to Cape Canaveral.”

Charles Mahon.  “Atlantic Coast of the United States. Cape Hatteras to Cape Canaveral.”  Separately issued U.S. Navy chart.

Washington: Hydrographic Department, Navy Department, 1884­, to November 1889.  44 1/2 x 29 3/4.  Engraved by H.C. Evans.  Hand highlights for lighthouses and beacons.  A few spots and manuscript navigational notes, but otherwise very good condition.  

A U.S. Navy chart of the southeast coast of the U.S. from Cape Hatteras to Cape Canaveral.  The U.S. Navy became involved in making sea charts as early as 1819, with Cheever Felch’s survey of Cape Ann harbor.  Most of the early charts were commissioned for locations where the navy was planning naval stations or depots.  Most of the early printed charts were published privately rather than by the Navy.  In 1830, an official Navy Depot of Charts and Instruments was established to purchase, store and produce charts for the Navy.  This depot was led by such capable figures as Louis M. Goldsborough, Charles Wilkes, and Matthew Fontaine Maury.  Naval surveyors worked independently but also in conjunction with the U.S. Coastal Survey.  This is a Naval chart first issued in 1884 and updated to November 1889.  It was intended to be used by Naval captains and so contained all information that would be useful for navigation.  Soundings and other navigational details are precisely depicted on the map and a table about the lighthouses and beacons is included.