ADM 3441743-1972Admiralty: Hydrographic Department: Coastal and Riverine Views
This series contains leaves from albums and sketch books of coastal and riverine views, panoramas and sections which were employed on charts to provide pictorial reference for navigators, especially approaching harbours, ports and hazards, and for the accurate visual identification of geographic locations world-wide. These views and sketches were kept in order to inform the Survey, appearing on Admiralty charts and providing information for the Admiralty Sailing Directions and other hydrographic publications.
The series includes watercolour sketches, drawings in pen and ink, engravings, photographs and postcards displaying both survey and military information gathered by naval officers, with contributions also from merchant shipping personnel. Many were originally executed on board ship.
They provide a record of geological formations, physical geography, coastal topography, shipping, shore installations, lighthouses and other buildings.