1880 / 1915 Jamaica, West Indies Nautical Chart
DESCRIPTION
This British Admiralty chart of Jamaica was first published in 1880, based on surveys conducted in 1873–1875 and 1876–1879, with a new edition issued in 1915 and subsequent corrections added through 1956. It provides a complete depiction of Jamaica and its surrounding waters, supplemented by an inset of the Morant Cays. A small pasted-on correction panel near the right margin contains later updates to soundings or navigational information that were added after the main printing.
Hydrographic Detail and Coastal Navigation
The coastline is encircled by dense depth soundings in fathoms, with shoals, reefs, banks, and bottom contours clearly plotted in the Caribbean Sea and off the northern coast. Principal ports and anchorages, including Lucea, Montego Bay, Falmouth, Ocho Rios, Port Maria, Port Antonio, Kingston, and Port Royal, are identified along with smaller bays, headlands, and river mouths. Three large compass roses allow for accurate bearing calculations. Offshore navigational hazards, such as Grappler Bank and other shoal areas, are marked in detail. The inset chart of the Morant Cays provides additional hydrographic coverage of this remote island group, an important navigational reference for vessels approaching Jamaica from the east.
Topography and Inland Features
The interior of Jamaica is rendered with dramatic shaded relief that emphasizes the island’s rugged mountain systems, including the Blue Mountains and the complex ridges and valleys extending westward. Parishes, interior roads, settlements, and plantation districts appear throughout the chart, reflecting Jamaica’s administrative and agricultural layout during this period. Kingston and Port Royal are depicted with notable clarity, showing the configuration of their harbors and adjacent terrain.
Historical Context
During the decades covered by this chart’s survey, publication, and ongoing revision, Jamaica functioned as a major British colonial port and commercial center in the Caribbean. Kingston served as a critical hub for transatlantic shipping and inter-island trade, while Port Royal retained strategic significance due to its position at the entrance to Kingston Harbour. Exports of sugar, bananas, and other agricultural products shaped maritime traffic, and the Morant Cays were a frequent consideration for vessels navigating the eastern approaches to the island. The continued corrections through 1956 reflect evolving nautical knowledge, changing harbor infrastructure, and improved navigational requirements in the early to mid twentieth century.
CONDITION
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