Sailing Distance Chart

[JamesG161]

This a 1769 chart drawn by Guess who?

Also remember that sweeping "f" = "s"

Have fun , like the Sailors of that time.

Jim...

 

[dLj]

James Cook?

dj

 

[kappykaplan]

Ben Franklin and Tim Folger. What do I win?

 

[dLj]

Ben Franklin and Tim Folger. What do I win?

Very cool! You should definitely press for a prize!

dj

p.s. you did however, miss the engraver: George Louis Le Rouge

 

[Will Gilmore]

Now that would make a cool woodburning on a set of companionway hatchboards.

-Will

 

[jssailem]

Will
Could also make a good table top in the salon.

 

[JamesG161]

I liked the names of places and how some names morphed.

Funny example in recent news...

Bahama Banck

And look how big Florida is

or

Misisipi River

or

B Tampo
______

The details and penmanship were great.

Jim...

 

[31seahorse]

Guess: Americus Vespucci BTW: If Ben Franklin and Tim Folger are the chart makers, each went on to other endeavors. Ben invented a stove and Tim popularized a hot, morning drink. Odd that it wasn't called a "cup of Tim"!

 

[shemandr]

With that Gulf Stream so prominent, I'd have to go with Ben. Also if you mouse over an area Franklin - Folger comes up. Maybe a collaboration ? Also the map is titled "Gulf Stream Chart." So maybe the depiction of the continental coast was a secondary goal of the map.

 

[kappykaplan]

The full chart is titled, "A new and Exact Chart of . . . EUROPE. AFRICA & AMERICA . . ." and can be found here:

[Franklin-Folger chart of the Gulf Stream].

Shows the Gulf Stream. Publication authorized by Benjamin Franklin and Timothy Folger. Gulf Stream information overprinted on: A new and exact chart of Mr. E. Wrights projection, rut. Mercators chart, con. ye sea coast of Europe, Africa & America, from ye Isles of Orkney to Cape Bona Esperance &...

www.loc.gov

Lots of interesting names associated with the item:

• Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790.
• Folger, Timothy.
• Wright, Edward, 1558?-1615.
• Halley, Edmond, 1656-1742.
• Moll, Herman, -1732.
• Jno. Mount and Tho. Page.

One of the notes is: "Gulf Stream information overprinted on: A new and exact chart of Mr. E. Wrights projection, rut. Mercators chart, con. ye sea coast of Europe, Africa & America, from ye Isles of Orkney to Cape Bona Esperance & Hudsons Bay to ye straits of Magellan, according to ye observations of Capt. E. Halley, fellow of ye R.S. / to the Rt. Honble., ye Principle Officers & Commissioners of His Majesties Navy ; this chart is most humbly dedicated and presented by their most obedient faithfull servants John Mount & Th. Page ; H. Moll fecit. "

 

[shemandr]

Interesting. And we have to consider that the mapping of that day was trade driven. So areas of economic importance were fairly accurately mapped. Other areas, not so much.
What happened to the Chesapeake? There must have been plenty of trade there.
As for Florida, the coast was the route of trade. I'm not surprised that the width of the peninsula is wrong. I would guess the interior of the peninsula was largely unexplored.
I don't think they had an accurate chronometer at that time so longitudes were inaccurate.

 

[dlochner]

As for Florida, the coast was the route of trade. I'm not surprised that the width of the peninsula is wrong. I would guess the interior of the peninsula was largely unexplored.

Back in those days, Florida was sparsely settled. St Augustine and Key West were the big cities. The rest of the peninsula was swamp until Henry Flagler started building roads and railroads.