1887 U.S. Coast Survey Map or Chart of the California Coastline (San Francisco to San Diego)

This is one of the most attractive and desirable of the original U.S. Coast Survey charts of the California coast. Printed in 1887, this chart coves the western coast of the United States from San Diego and the Mexican border north as far north as Pt. Reyes and the San Francisco Bay. It details San Diego Bay, 'El Pueblo de Los Angeles' and the Los Angeles Valley, the Mission of San Fernando and the San Fernando Valley, and the San Francisco Bay area including San Francisco itself, Oakland, San Jose, Union City and Alviso.

By far this map's most dramatic quality its inclusion of seventeen stunning coastal views including 'View of the Entrance to San Francisco Bay,' 'View Pt. Piedras,' 'View Pt. Ano Nuevo,' 'View of Pt. Pinos,' 'View of Pt. Sur,' 'View of Piedras Blancas,' 'View of Moro Rock,' 'Esteros Bay,' 'View of Pt. Sal,' ' View Pt. Arguila,' 'View Pt. Concepcion bearing W. by S.,' 'View of Pt. Concepcion bearing S.E. by E.,' 'View Pt. Duma,' 'View of the Town and Mission of Santa Barbara,' 'View of San Pedro, Pt. Fermin,' 'View showing initial point of boundary between the United States and Mexico,' 'View of Catalina Harbor,' and a 'View Pt. Loma.' It also offers numerous depth soundings along the coastline and between major islands and undersea dangers. Copious notes and sailing instructions in the upper right hand quadrant of the map are an interesting read for the nautically inclined:

To Enter San Francisco Bay There are no hidden dangers or anything to prevent the most timid navigator from entering the Harbor of San Francisco…

Vessels in sight of the coast and approaching San Diego from the North, will observe an opening in the hills, and the appearance of an inland bay. This is the False Port, and must be avoided…

The hydrographic work for this important chart was completed by James Alden. The Geographical positioning was accomplished by G. Davidson. Prepared and under the supervision of A. D. Bache, one of the most important and influential superintendents of the U.S. Coast Survey in the 19th century.

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

Very good. Minor damage and repair lower margin, not extending on to printed map. Some creasing and cracking in lower right quadrant, with verso repair. Professionally flattened and backed with archival tissue.