1822 Admiralty Chart (No 635) of Hout Bay

Admiralty Chart No. 635, A Survey of Hout Bay, surveyed in 1822 by Lieut. Boteler and H.A. Gibbons of H.M.S. Leven under Capt. W.F.W. Owen and published in 1828, is an early British hydrographic chart focused on the small Atlantic inlet south of Table Bay. Engraved with the Admiralty’s hallmark precision, it provides detailed soundings in fathoms, anchorage notes, and coastal features including the Sentinel, Chapman’s Peak, and the sandy beach at the bay’s head, all framed by steep surrounding mountains. Produced soon after Britain’s formal annexation of the Cape Colony, the chart reflects the Admiralty’s systematic effort to map safe anchorages along the Cape sea route, with Hout Bay serving as a vital refuge from the north-westerly gales that could make Table Bay hazardous. At the time, the bay was lightly settled, known mainly for fishing, timber, and small farms, but Chart 635 preserves a hydrographic record of its natural, undeveloped state. As part of the Admiralty’s expanding global charting programme, it remains an important testament to early 19th-century navigation and the strategic significance of the Cape of Good Hope.

This map is a reproduction of a historical map that is now in the public domain. It has been selected for its aesthetic appeal and historical interest and carefully restored and reproduced to preserve its original detail and character.  There may be marks and fold lines visible which add to the authentic look.  The map is printed on 230gsm heavyweight coated paper with a matte finish.  Most old maps were printed on uncoated rag or wood pulp papers and therefore a matte finish best represents the original map.