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Fine Art Reproductions of Historical Maps & Charts

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Map/Chart > Maine & New England

Plymouth Bay

A beautiful watercolour chart of Plymouth Bay with the land coloured blue with shades of brown.

Technical Information
Reference:	A111
Date	1778
Hydrographer/Surveyor/Artist:	J.F.W. Des Barres
Size Of Original:	w 20.5" x h 27.5"
Paper Type	German Hahnemuhle Etching Paper 310gms (original size), Omnijet Superior Matt Graphic 180gsm (half size)

Description

The overall effect of this chart is simplicity, accuracy and beauty. It bears no published date, but is identical to later states of the chart included in the Atlantic Neptune folio, except that the land is unusually tinted blue. In other respects it equates to the 1781 published versions.

The charts shows a great deal of detail from north of the Duxborough River to the mouth of Ell River south of the town. The map is immensely detailed, typical of the cartographers working along this coast at the time. In this particular case the hand of Thomas Wheeler is evident. He carefully depicts property, boundaries and homesteads. The depiction of fields and marsh land (through the technique of aquatint) is exquisite and gives the whole image a very soft texture. The town of Plymouth shows clearly shows both road lay-out and wharfs. The hydrographic information is typical of Des Barres' work (see for instance Heritage Chart A101), and is extremely accurate and clearly presented. In this case it shows soundings, sand banks and vital tidal information.

Along with other towns in the region, Plymouth supplied a force of Marines to the British army in 1774 under Major John Pitcairn, but a combination of poor weather clothing, equipment, training, discipline and leadership proved to be a problem. (This was a common theme for George Washington, who also relied on local militia and he struggled more, at times, with his own 'Rabble-in-Arms' than he did with the British). There are tales of some of the disgruntled men selling their equipment to buy the local rum and a number who died from lethal doses. Under Major John Pitcairn's leadership and example the men from Plymouth did, eventually, become an efficient fighting force.

The strategic importance of Plymouth, just 50 miles or so south of Boston, was not diminished because the war by-passed the region after the siege of Boston. Although subsequent operations were focussed around New York, Plymouth remained a significant harbour and sea port, especially to the Americans who used it as a base from which privateers loyal to the Patriot cause engaged in numerous raids on Royal Navy and auxiliary ships, hindering the British effort and supply routes.

Amongst the detail included in the chart is the labelling of Clark's Island to the South of Duxborough or Duxbury as it is known now. Des Barres labelled the island 'Clark's or Watson's Island'. The apparent indecision as to what to call the island is a reflection of changing times. Ever since the Pilgim Fathers had arrived at Plymouth in 1620 the island was named Clark's Island after the first mate of the Mayflower who saved them from almost certain death by sheltering the craft by the island in a dreadful storm. It was also the scene of the first Service held by the pilgrims where they "gave God thanks for his mercies in their manifold deliverances" on December 20, 1620. At the time of Publication of the chart by Des Barres in 1781 the Island had been granted to the Watson family who were prominent Tory supporters of the King of England.

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Collection

Ref: A101

Map/Chart > Maine & New England

Plymouth Bay

Description

Collection

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