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 is an early edition of a detailed chart of the region around Bald Head Island with Cape Fear located at its southernmost point. Locates Smithville, Fort Caswell, and a few lighthouses. Features a large inset of Frying Pan Shoals at upper left. The chart features extensive navigational information including soundings, bottom types, tides, and more. Published under the direction of Superintendent A.D. Bache.

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Condition: B+

Issued folding with light toning along the fold lines and several short repaired fold separations. There is a binding trim at top left with some small loss of border.