1943 Admiralty Chart (No 123) of the Table Bay Docks

Admiralty Chart No. 123, Table Bay Docks and Approaches, published at the Admiralty on 29 January 1943 (new edition 1946, small corrections 1950), is a large-scale plan of Cape Town’s harbour works and fairways compiled from the Harbour Engineer’s plans to 1946. Focused strictly on the engineered waterfront rather than surrounding topography, it details the Alfred and Duncan Docks, breakwaters, quays, basins, dredged entrance channels and turning areas, with dense soundings, depth contours, leading lines, lights and buoys to guide movements of naval and commercial traffic. Issued during and immediately after WWII, the chart captures Table Bay’s transformation into a heavily modernised Allied port and refitting hub, documenting the operational layout and maintained depths essential for safe access and berthing in the mid-twentieth century.

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.