Overview of the Records |
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| Repository: | G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport | |
| Creator: | Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc. | |
| Title: | Mystic Seaport Chart and Map Collection | |
| Dates: | 1579 – 2000 | |
| Extent: | 10,209 pieces | |
| Abstract: | Charts and maps collected by Mystic Seaport from various sources. | |
| Identification: | Coll. 376 | |
Scope and Content
Among the least appreciated forms of material culture documenting seafaring, charts were among the most useful tools for the mariner since the earliest medieval portolans or sailing guides were produced by Mediterranean cartographers and pilots. Yet it was not until the late 16th Century that what we today recognize as charts began to appear. When Gerardus Mercator presented a global map on a flattened projection it allowed mariners to more easily plot courses to their destinations. The addition of depths, coastlines and dangers over time proved invaluable for any mariner venturing out on the open ocean.
This collection consists primarily of American and British charts from the 19th and 20th centuries which makes up up fully two-thirds of the collection. Other countries represented include Australia, Canada and France. Many of the charts were used aboard ships and yachts and may therefore be in tender shape as they were not meant to last forever. Major groupings within the collection were compiled by Irving Johnson, Don Hinkley, Rod Stephens, Sandy Weld, Yacht broker Gerald Ford , Captain Richard Mears and others. Additionally, there are numerous maps in the collection, mostly of Connecticut and the northeastern United States.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged according to the Boggs and Lewis map classification system developed by the Library of Congress in 1945. Because this system was chosen for the collection in the 1960’s, it was decided to retain it for current purposes. The index for the collection contains multiple fields and includes a general description as well as a notes field to indicate such things as “tracking” marks, those lines on the charts to indicate the daily progression of the vessel’s sailing.
Restrictions
Restrictions on Access
Available for use in the Access Room.
Restrictions on Use
Various copying restrictions apply.
Abbreviations
In Publisher H.O indicates “Hydrographic Office” of the various countries. Eg., B.H.O. is the British Hydrographic Office, F.H.O. is the French, etc.
Under Vessel Names, the following abbreviations indicate vessel types: Bk = Bark; Bg = Brig; Bgt= Brigantine; F/V = Fishing Vessel Sch. = Schooner; Slp = Sloop; Sp = Ship.
Under Notes BB indicates that the chart is a “blueback.” These were large charts made specifically for shipboard use on which to plot courses and, to make them more durable, had their backs lined with a light blue manila paper.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Coll. 376 , Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.
Vessels and People Included
VESSEL
A. R. TUCKER
ABRAHAM BARKER
ABRASIA
ADELFOI
ALBANIA
ALEXANDER GIBSON
ALICE
AMERICA
AMICA
ANDALUSIA
ANDREW JACKSON
ANDROMEDA
BARTHOLOMEW GOSNOLD
BENARES
BLUE ANGEL
BRITISH ISLES
BRAUNSCHWEIG
C.H. HOGDON
CANTON
CATALPA
CHARLES W. MORGAN
CHARMER
CHATTANOOGA
CIRCE
CLARISSA
COMMODORE MORRIS
COUNTESS
DAUNTLESS
DAVID CROCKETT
DEMING (?)
DOLPHIN
DORADE
DUSTER
EDMUND FITZGERALD
EDWARD SEWALL
ELIZABETH WILLETS
ELSKE
ERNAME
EXPRESS
FANEUIL HALL
FLORELLA
FLYWAY
FRESNO
GALATEA
GANDER
GEORGE & MARY
GEORGE MOON
GOLDEN FLEECE
GRANADA
GRANDER
HAZE
HIBERNIA (II)
HERO
HIND, HMS
HOGDON
HOUND
HURON
ISAAC HICKS
J. Q. ADAMS
JANE DORE
JOSEPH
JOSEPH CONRAD
JOSEPHINE
KATHLEEN
L. A. DUNTON
LAGODA
LENOX
LIBERTY (I)
LIBERTY (II)
LION
MARTHA DAVIS
MOUETTE
NANCY
NARCISSUS, HMS
NIGER
NINA
NORWAY
OCEAN EXPRESS
OCEANOGRAPHER, USS
OREGON
ORIENTAL
PACTOLUS
PATHFINDER, USS
PENOBSCOT
PERU
PRESIDENT
ROANN
ROBERT PULSFORD
SABINE, USS
SAMUEL RUSSELL
SCOTIA
SEMINOLE
STAFFORD
STAR OF EMPIRE
ST. JAMES
ST. MARY
SUNBEAM
SYRIENE
THOMAS E. MORAN
THREE BROTHERS
TRIDENT
TUSITALA
TWILIGHT
WILLIE (?)
YANKEE
PEOPLE
Barnard, Keith
Barnard, William
Baum, Richard “Dick”
Benson, Timothy
Bingham, Hiram
Blunt, George F.
Brewster, W. E.
Bridge, Matthew
Butler, James
Cabot, Joseph
Caldwell, John
Campbell, Stafford
Chester, D. W.
Clowes, George H. A., Jr.
Coffin, George G.
Deming, F. (?)
Denison, Joseph
Danver, James
Earle, James
Edwards, P. C.
Ford, Gerald
Glidden, W.
Goodell (Goodale?)
Hallock, E.
Hamilton, James
Harris, Bert
Herreshoff, L. Francis
Hill
Hinkley, Don H.
Hinkley, Don R.
Holmes, Joseph Warren
Jackson, Harry
Jewett, L. R.
Johnson, Irving
Kendell, Nathan H.
Kendrick, Edmund H.
Latham (?), Daniel
Loomis, Alfred F.
Lumley, John R.
Major, Capt.
McKie, Hugh
Mears, Richard C.
Megroz, Jacques
Morris, Woodbury
Moseley, S.
Olcott, Samuel
Palmer, Nathaniel
Riggs. & Bro.
Shores, Peter
Smith, Frederick A.
Spencer, Joseph
Stephens, Roderick
Stephens, W.P.
Swain, Joseph
Tryon, Jeremiah
Warrin, Benjamin
Weld, Alexander (Sandy)
Wilkes, Charles
Wing, J. & R.
Winsor, D. L.
Wolf, Charles
Wolfe, Charles
Detailed Description of the Records
See the following link for the catalog descriptions of the collection items.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/reference/charts/