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31. Chart of Plymouth Sound with the Three Towns

Title: Cooke’s Chart of Plymouth Sound, and General Guide to Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse  in panel slightly right of top centre.
Date: 1824.
Size: 540 x 420 mm.
Imprint(s): Published Octr 25, 1824 by JOHN COOKE ENGRAVER & GEOGRAR and there is the added information that Cooke was (late engraver to the Admiralty) 48, Union St., Stonehouse Plymo.
Signature(s): see above.
Location(s): BL, NMM, WDRO, KB.[1]


Comments: There is a note above top border: UNDER THE patronage OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PLYMOUTH. Further imprint (right of title): Entered at Stationer´s Hall, London. Price 3s 6d. Border on three sides, no border at bottom.
This is a fairly large and detailed chart covering an area from the entrance of the Lynher (Aa) to just east of Efford (Ea) with Rame Head (Ae) and the Mewstone in border (Ee). The breakwater appears virtually central. On the one hand, it is a mariner´s chart with much information that would be beneficial to sailors entering the port, but on the other hand, the three towns are presented in enough detail to see their respective sizes and orientation. Even some buildings and streets clearly shown, e.g. The Athenaeum and Theatre.
This chart is very similar in style to the Chart ... Taken 1817 (see Cooke 22). Top right is a vignette of Tor House which would be a good aid in guiding a vessel through the dangerous rocks and a sight line is drawn The Eastern or Sedley´s Channel (approach). The Western Channel has a sight line marked as far as an obelisk to the left of the Citadel. The Panel of Leading Marks (Ad) has comprehensive instructions for sailors entering the harbour. What looks like the names of ships at anchor (e.g. Vanguard, Mallard or Asia) are in fact the names of buoys and each had a specific colour or colour combination. The coastal shading is the most comprehensive and detailed of all Cooke´s work.
Joseph Whidbey was the chief engineer of the breakwater building under Sir John Rennie and Mr Whidbey´s House is marked at Bovisand Bay. 








[1] BL Maps 2140.(3.) and G.20269; NMM (G 233:2/146); WDRO.  KB copy in a slipcase with James Wyld imprint and label.


Link to Map 32.

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