New Views of Old Waters: Archived NOAA Charts
NOAA placed online its library of historical charts, historical to us primarily because the charts are shorn of the level of detail we have expect from modern charts. We get a look at how our waters were represented to fishermen, packet clippers, trade shipping interests during previous centuries. Here is a mid-nineteenth century version of a chart section of Gloucester, Massachusetts . At the time of this chart's printing, Gloucester was one of the world's busiest fishing ports. Its fleet of fishing schooners numbered in the thousands. To enlarge this charming piece of art, click on it. Pretty humble art for what was at that time a busy port whose fishing made past the northeastern tip of Cape Ann for fishing grounds to the east and north: There's a lot to note here. One is that Eastern Point was once called East Point, and lacked the long breakwater which gives Gloucester an inner and an outer harbor. Another is that the lighthouse at Eastern Point, and the light atT...