The Office of Coast Survey is the oldest U.S. scientific organization, dating from 1807 when Congress directed that a "survey of the coast" be carried out. By 1836, it was called the U.S. Coast Survey and in 1878, the name was changed to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Today the Office of Coast Survey is a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA.

The survey teams, composed of civilians as well as Army and Naval officers, charted the nation's waterways and produced a wide array of reports, survey charts, hydrographic studies of tides and currents, astronomical studies and observations, and coastal pilots. These charts are an important record of the changing nature of the nation's coastlines. In additional to coastal charts, the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey produced land sketches, Civil War battle maps, and the early aeronautical charts.

This detailed pair of charts from the U.S. Coast Survey focus on the Florida Keys. The first spans from Miami south to Carysfort Reef and shows a number of reefs, banks, bottom types, soundings, and more. It was drawn by A. Balbach. The second centers on Legare Anchorage off the coast of Elliott Key and is dense with navigational information. It was drawn by J.J. Ricketts and A. Balbach and engraved by R.T. Knight.

A. (F No. 4.) Preliminary Chart of Florida Reefs from Key Biscayne to Carysfort Reef..., (12.1 x 13.6").
B. Legare Anchorage Florida Reefs, (18.9 x 15.3").

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Condition: A

Both sheets were issued folding, now flattened and backed with tissue to repair a few tiny splits at fold intersections. Binding trims at upper left.