1879 U.S. Coast Survey Map of Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey (Toms River)

A scarce separately issued example.

An uncommon 1879 nautical chart or maritime map of the New Jersey coastline between Barnegat Inlet and Sandy Hook. The chart offers countless depth soundings and a wealth of practical information for the mariner as well as superb coastal detail. The map identifies the course of the Long Branch and Seashore Railroad as well as various seaside communities, including Long Branch, Deal, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Spring Lake, Seagirt, Squan Village, Lavallette City, Seaside Park, Toms River, Motts Corner, Cedar Creek Village and Forked River, among others. Issued in 1879 under the supervision of Charlile P. Patterson, Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. Represents coast chart no. 21 or 121. Later issues of this map were presented as a series where, this being the upper of three sheets, however, this present example is an independent issue.

It is noteworthy that this is the heavy stock copperplate issue of this map, not one of the later economically mass produced electrotype issues. The original pressmark is visible all around the map. This map was originally sold by 'D. Eggert's Sons, Chronometers Manufacturers Nautical Charts, Books, and Co.' located at 74 Wall Street, New York. The remarkable D. Eggert pastedown is still present just under the title.

Cartographer

The Office of the Coast Survey (1807 - present), founded in 1807 by President Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin, is the oldest scientific organization in the U.S. Federal Government. Jefferson created the "Survey of the Coast," as it was then called, to produce accurate navigational charts of the new nation's coasts and harbors. The first two superintendents defined the spirit of the Coast Survey. The Coast Survey's first superintendent was Swiss immigrant and West Point mathematics professor Ferdinand Hassler. Under Hassler's direction, from 1816 to 1843, the Coast Survey established its ideological and scientific foundations. These included the use of the most advanced techniques and most sophisticated equipment, along with unstinting attention to detail. Hassler devised a labor-intensive triangulation system that divided the entire coast into a series of enormous triangles. These were then subdivided into smaller triangulation units, which were individually surveyed. No one had ever attempted this exacting technique on such a massive scale. As a result, Hassler and the Coast Survey under his leadership earned a reputation for uncompromising dedication to accuracy and excellence. Unfortunately, despite being a masterful surveyor, Hassler was abrasive and politically unpopular, and Congress cut funding for the Coast Survey twice. Nonetheless, Hassler led the Coast Survey until his death in 1843, when Alexander Dallas Bache, Benjamin Franklin's great-grandson, took the helm. Bache was fully dedicated to the principles established by Hassler, but proved more politically astute and successfully lobbied Congress to fund the endeavor generously. Under A. D. Bache's leadership, the Coast Survey completed its most important work. During his long tenure with the Coast Survey, from 1843 to 1865, Bache steadfastly advocated American science and navigation and, in fact, founded the American Academy of Sciences. Benjamin Pierce succeeded Bache and ran the Survey from 1867 to 1874. Pierce was succeeded by Carlile Pollock Patterson, Superintendent from 1874 to 1881. In 1878, under Patterson's superintendence, the U.S. Coast Survey was reorganized as the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (USCGS) to accommodate both topographic and nautical surveys. Today, the Coast Survey is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the National Geodetic Survey.   Further Details...

Condition

Good. Some creasing and soiling, else clean. Original seller's paper stamp appears near title area.

References

Stanford University, Branner Earth Sciences Library, G3811 .P5 1892 .U4 SHEET1.