1866 Spanish Direccion de Hidrografia Map of Florida

The Direccion Hidrografía (1787 - 1927), also known as the Deposito Hydrografico and the Direction de Hidrografía, was the Spanish equivalent of the British Admiralty or the U.S. Coast Survey. This organization, founded in 1787, was commissioned to collect and produce accurate nautical charts of all waters frequented by Spanish vessels. In essence, it replaced the Casa de la Contratación de las Indias (House of Trade of the Indies), which closed its doors in 1790. Like most such organizations, the Direccion Hidrografía marked a new age in cartography. Rather than simply collect charts created by navigators, explorers, and merchants, the Direccion Hidrografía worked closely with naval and military personnel to mount cartographic and hydrographic expeditions in pursuit of the most accurate hydrographical, astronomical, and geodetic measurements. The Direccion Hidrografía created a massive library of nautical charts that, though not nearly as common as similar nautical charts by the U.S. Coast Survey and British Admiralty, are highly desirable for the beauty of their manufacture as well as their accuracy and detail. The office was originally located on Calle Ballesta, but relocated to 36 Alcala, both in Madrid. After 1908 the Dirección was subsumed into other governmental agencies. In 1927 the Direccion was absorbed into the Institute and Observatory of San Fernando, located in Cadiz. The library of original maps, charts, and journals was transferred to the Naval Museum of Madrid - where it resides to this day. More by this mapmaker...

Tomás Bryant y Galiano (fl. c. 1858 – 1879) was a Spanish navigator, sea captain, and chart maker active in the second half of the 19th century. Little is known of Bryant's life, but he appears to have been the grandson of a prominent Spanish shipbuilder Eduardo Bryant and son of Tomás Bryant y Smith (1748 – 18??). Bryant is best known for his charts of Spanish-American waters in the Caribbean and South America published by the Dirección de Hidrografía. Learn More...

Manuel Rodriguez (fl. c. 1857 – 1880) was a Spanish artist and line engraver active in Madrid in the middle to late 19th century. Rodriguez studied at the Academia de San Fernando and practiced drawing in his spare time. His drawing of a Biblical scene, Jerome in the desert, was recognized with a bronze medal by La Sociedad Económica Matritense. In 1857, he enrolled in the school of topographical engraving run by the Dirección de Hidrografía. Upon graduation he became an engraver for that organization, producing numerous nautical charts. Learn More...

Francisco Bregante y Orbay (fl. 1840 - 1867) was a Spanish engraver and draftsman active with the Dirección Hidrografía in the middle part of the 19th century. Bregante y Orbay specialized in lettering and text. A relative, Salvador Bregante y Orbay, also worked for the Dirección Hidrografía in a related capacity. Learn More...