1873 / 1943 West Indies - Barbados Nautical Chart
DESCRIPTION
This British Admiralty nautical chart of Barbados was originally surveyed in 1869, first published in 1873 and updated through 1943, with further corrections extending to 1960. It presents a detailed hydrographic and topographic portrait of the island as it appeared under nearly a century of observation, offering mariners a precise depiction of one of the most important ports and waypoints in the southeastern Caribbean.
Hydrographic Detail and Coastal Features
The chart shows the entire coastline of Barbados surrounded by depth soundings measured in fathoms, with shoals, reefs, and coastal contours carefully delineated. Anchorage areas appear along the western and southern coasts, and lighthouses and navigational beacons are marked at prominent points including Harrison Point, Ragged Point, and Needham’s Point. Several large compass roses assist in plotting bearings across the island’s surrounding waters. The bottom margin includes profile views of the coastline as seen from the north, west, and south, providing visual aids for mariners approaching land.
Topography and Inland Settlements
Inland, the map identifies parishes, towns, plantation roads, estates, and dispersed settlements across the island. Bridgetown is presented in detailed urban form, showing its harbor, streets, and anchorage approaches. Shaded relief captures the island’s distinctive terraced limestone landscape, emphasizing the central highlands, deep gullies, and gently sloping plains that radiate toward the coast.
Historical Context
Historically, this chart reflects Barbados during its time as a British colony, when sugar production and inter-island commerce shaped the island’s economy and daily life. Bridgetown functioned as a key maritime hub for both military and commercial vessels navigating the southeastern Caribbean. Successive Admiralty revisions incorporated new navigational aids and updated shoreline information as maritime activity increased and the island began developing modern transportation and tourism infrastructure. The chart documents Barbados at a moment when its physical geography and its role in regional shipping networks were rapidly evolving.
CONDITION
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