Title
A Topographical Chart of the Bay of Narraganset in the Province of New England : with all the Isles contained therein, among which Rhode Island and Connonicut have been particularly surveyed
Contributor
Blaskowitz, Charles (Surveyor)
Publisher
London : William Faden
Date created
1777
Type of resource
Cartographic
Still image
Still image
Genre
Maps (documents)
Topographic maps
Historical maps
Topographic maps
Historical maps
Format
Map/Globe, Image
Digital origin
reformatted digital
Abstract/Description
This elegant Revolutionary War-era British military map is the most important eighteenth-century
chart of Narraganset Bay. Showing both topographical and hydrographical detail, the map was the result of a
survey by Charles Blaskowitz, a skilled British military surveyor who was assigned by Samuel Holland in 1764
to chart the coast of Rhode Island to determine if the harbor of Newport could be used as a British naval
base. Blaskowitz later seems to have been commissioned by an additional party to survey the area, for the
title of his map notes that it was "taken by the order of the principal farmers on Rhode Island." There is
some evidence that Blaskowitz was paid by the Rhode Island farmers to create a map for their purposes in
1771, which he then simply redrew, adding the positions of the defensive batteries, and sold to the British in
1777. In either case, this map was published in London by William Faden, the successor of Thomas Jefferys,
in that year.
Recognized for its excellence in detail, the chart was used by the British during the later part of their occupation of Newport in 1776 to 1778, and for deployment of their ships in the bay during the Revolutionary War. This example of Blaskowitz's map has particularly beautiful color in shades of blue and green. The map identifies settlements on the bay islands and the adjacent mainland, locates forts, batteries, the principal farms of Rhode Island, Brown College in Providence, and Newport; it also shows the harbors, capes, points, bays, islands, soundings, shoals and hazards of Narraganset Bay. Blaskowitz's topographical chart was a prototype for all subsequent maps of the bay.
Recognized for its excellence in detail, the chart was used by the British during the later part of their occupation of Newport in 1776 to 1778, and for deployment of their ships in the bay during the Revolutionary War. This example of Blaskowitz's map has particularly beautiful color in shades of blue and green. The map identifies settlements on the bay islands and the adjacent mainland, locates forts, batteries, the principal farms of Rhode Island, Brown College in Providence, and Newport; it also shows the harbors, capes, points, bays, islands, soundings, shoals and hazards of Narraganset Bay. Blaskowitz's topographical chart was a prototype for all subsequent maps of the bay.
Notes
The Abstract/Description provided for this map is taken from an accompanying gallery schedule.
Related item
Early American and European Maps
Subjects and keywords
Early American Maps
New England
Narragansett Bay (R.I.)
Rhode Island
Newport (R.I.)
Connecticut
New England
Narragansett Bay (R.I.)
Rhode Island
Newport (R.I.)
Connecticut
Identifier
american_blaskowitz_001
Permanent URL
Location
Northeastern University Library
Use and reproduction
No Copyright. The organization that has made
the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United
States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws
of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other
countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more
information. http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/