1934 Admiralty Chart (No 1232) of Saldanha Bay

Admiralty Chart No. 1232, Saldanha Bay (1934) depicts South Africa’s largest natural harbour at a time when it remained an unindustrialised fishing and naval anchorage. Based on Royal Navy surveys refined through the early twentieth century, the chart shows the wide outer bay, narrow entrance channel, sheltered inner lagoon, and the surrounding granite peninsulas of Postberg, Marcus, and Meeuw Islands, with soundings in fathoms and clear indications of reefs, anchorages, and lighthouses for safe navigation. Published by the Hydrographic Office during the interwar period, it represents an update of older surveys in preparation for renewed naval interest just before the Second World War. Historically, Saldanha had long been valued for its strategic position — the site of Britain’s capture of a Dutch squadron in 1781 — but by 1934 it remained a quiet coastal settlement serving fishing, whaling, and occasional naval calls. The chart thus preserves the bay in its natural, pre-industrial state, before the massive harbour and iron-ore terminal works of the 1970s transformed it into one of South Africa’s key deep-water ports.

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.