1958 / c. 1978 Capital Offset Nautical Chart of Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

This is a 1958/1978 navigational chart of Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, printed on behalf of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission for the use of recreational boaters. It contains updated content that reflects changes seen in the 1966-1967 edition of the chart, including additional fuel pumps at landings, and a tempting passage at the northwest point of Barndoor Island is marked 'Not Navigable.' The chart's title does not indicate a date, however, suggesting a later state of the chart. The present example is laminated, which we believe was done by the chart's distributor between 1970 and 1978.

A Closer Look

This attractively-presented navigational chart indicates recommended boat courses. It also marks the location of signal buoys and lights. Other useful information, such as the locations of fuel pumps, boat launch sites, and repair yards, is marked with symbols identified on a key. Landing zones for seaplanes are also delineated. There are three insets detailing Smith's Cove, Weirs Channel, and Sally's Gut. Depth soundings are also given. A text box at the bottom reminds boaters of speed limits and other regulations.

While intended for navigation, the chart also shows local roads and highways. After all, most boats that find their way onto Lake Winnipesaukee have to be brought there via trailer.

Publication History and Census

This map was printed for the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission by the Capital Offset Company in Concord, NH. It is neglected in institutional collections: we see no examples of this edition of the chart in OCLC, although Dartmouth University has an example of the 1966-1967 edition. This example exhibits content changes consistent with the 1966-1967 edition, but changes to the title suggest a later issue. Text in the lower right notes 'Laminated by Pick Point Enterprises, Inc.,' a company we see only a 1978 reference to in OCLC.