1854 Admiralty Chart (No 643) of Port Natal

Admiralty Chart No. 643, Port Natal, surveyed in 1854 by Lieut. Dayman, provides one of the earliest systematic hydrographic surveys of Durban Harbour at a time when the settlement was still a modest colonial outpost of growing importance. Issued by the Admiralty Hydrographic Office just a decade after Natal became a British colony, the chart records the bay’s shallow waters and the hazardous sandbar at its entrance, with detailed soundings, tidal notes, and anchorage points carefully engraved to guide vessels. It delineates the enclosed harbour and sandbanks, along with the small settlement features around the Bay of Natal, offering a snapshot of the port before the extensive dredging and harbour works of the later 19th century. Combining precise hydrography with the artistry of copperplate engraving, the chart reflects the Admiralty’s methodical effort to map strategic anchorages along the southern African coast. While less developed than Cape Town’s Table Bay or Simon’s Bay, Port Natal was of rising significance for trade, whaling, and agricultural exports, and this chart captures Durban at a formative stage in its evolution toward becoming Africa’s busiest harbour.

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.