Hydrographer Collection

Captain James Cook taking possession of New South Wales in the name of the British Crown, 1770. James Cook (1728-1779), English explorer, navigator and hydrographer, made three voyages of discovery

Matthew Fontaine Maury, 1873
1574540 Matthew Fontaine Maury, 1873; (add.info.: Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806-1873) American naval officer, hydrographer and oceanographer.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Captain Joseph Huddart, pub. 1811 (engraving)
2958378 Captain Joseph Huddart, pub. 1811 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Joseph Huddart FRS)

Captain Joseph Huddart (engraving)
815678 Captain Joseph Huddart (engraving) by Hoppner, John (1758-1810) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Captain Joseph Huddart, (1741-1816)

Captain Matthew Fontaine Maury, American hydrographer (photo)
611526 Captain Matthew Fontaine Maury, American hydrographer (photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Captain Matthew Fontaine Maury)

Charles de Beautemps-Beaupre (1766-1854) from Recueil de portraits de personnages
BIF230700 Charles de Beautemps-Beaupre (1766-1854) from Recueil de portraits de personnages celebres (engraving) (b/w photo) by Boilly

Pierre Bouguer (1698-1758) 1753 (pastel on paper)
XIR155491 Pierre Bouguer (1698-1758) 1753 (pastel on paper) by Perronneau, Jean-Baptiste (1715-83); Louvre, Paris, France; French, out of copyright

John Hamilton Moore (engraving)
815734 John Hamilton Moore (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: John Hamilton Moore (1738-1807)

Captain James Cook, 18th century British navigator and explorer. Captain Cook (1728-1779) in naval uniform, seated, with his hand resting on a map of the world. Cook made three voyages of discovery

Charles Dwight Sigsbee (1845-1923), Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, c1910. In his earlier career he was a pioneering oceanographer and hydrographer

Matthew Fontaine Maury, American naval officer, hydrographer and oceanographer, 1896. Maury (1806-1873) was the founder of the US Naval Oceanographic Office

James Cook, English explorer, navigator and hydrographer, 1775-1776. Artist: Nathaniel Dance-Holland
James Cook, English explorer, navigator and hydrographer, 1775-1776. Captain Cook (1728-1779) in naval uniform, seated, with his hand resting on a map of the world

Neptune raising James Cook to immortality and fame, late 18th century. The name of Captain Cook (1728-1779), English navigator, explorer and hydrographer, is being written in the book of history

Admiral William Henry Smyth, 1788 - 1865. Royal Navy officer, hydrographer, astronomer and numismatist. From The Illustrated London News, published 1865

Rear Admiral Sir John Parry
Rear Admiral (described here as Vice Admiral) Sir John Parry, hydrographer of the Royal Navy during the First World War. Date: 1925

Amedee Mouchez
AMEDEE ERNEST BARTHELEMY MOUCHEZ French naval officer, hydrographer and astronomer, director of the Paris observatoire. Date: 1821 - 1892

Philip Parker King - 2
PHILIP PARKER KING administrator in Australia, son of Philip Gidley King, explorer and hydrographer who mapped the northern and northwestern coasts. Date: 1793 - 1856

Philip Parker King
PHILIP PARKER KING administrator in Australia, son of Philip Gidley King, explorer and hydrographer who mapped the northern and northwestern coasts. Date: 1793 - 1856

Joseph Huddart
JOSEPH HUDDART Engineer, hydrographer and manufacturer Date: 1741 - 1816

Illustration of Irish hydrographer Sir Francis Beaufort

SIR FRANCIS BEAUFORT (1774-1857). English hydrographer. Black-and-red chalk drawing by William Brockedon, 1838

Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806-1873), American naval officer and hydrographer and oceanographer. Founder of the US Naval Oceanographic Office. Engraving. 1896

Neptune raising James Cook (1723-79) English navigator, explorer and hydrographer to immortality, and Fame writing his name in the book of history

James Cook (1728-79) English navigator, explorer, and hydrographer receiving ritual tribute from Sandwich Islanders, 1779, during his third Pacific voyage. Engraving

James Cook (1728-79) English explorer and navigator and hydrographer in naval uniform, seated, with hand on map of the world. Portrait by Nathaniel Dance (1735-1811) English painter

Matthew Flinders (1774-1814) English naval officer, hydrographer and explorer. Surveyed coast of New South Wales (1795-1800). Circumnavigated Australia and surveyed the whole coastline (1801-1803)

James Cook (1728-79) English explorer and navigator and hydrographer landing on the Friendly Islands (Kingdom of Tonga) in 1773

Weir and river measurements, 1897
Weir and river measurements. 19th-century artwork of a thin-wall weir being used to measure aspects of the flow of water along a river

Charles Dwight Sigsbee, US naval officer
Charles Dwight Sigsbee (1845-1923), US naval officer and oceanographer. Sigsbee is best known as the captain of the USS Maine, whose explosion in Havana, Cuba

MATTHEW FLINDERS (1774-1814). English mariner and hydrographer. Aquatint, English, 1814

Alexander Dalrymple
ALEXANDER DALRYMPLE Hydrographer to the Admiralty with his autograph

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The hydrographer, a master of the seas and guardian of knowledge, has left an indelible mark on history. From Captain James Cook's iconic moment in 1770 when he claimed New South Wales for the British Crown, to Captain Joseph Huddart's engraved legacy published in 1811, these pioneers paved the way for future explorers. Captain Matthew Fontaine Maury, an American hydrographer captured in a photograph, stands as a testament to the dedication and expertise required for this noble profession. Likewise, Charles de Beautemps-Beaupre's portrait from Recueil de portraits de personnages immortalizes his contribution to hydrography. Pierre Bouguer's pastel on paper depiction of himself showcases his significant role as a hydrographer during the 18th century. John Hamilton Moore's engraving further emphasizes the importance of accurate charting and mapping by these skilled individuals. Charles Dwight Sigsbee, Rear Admiral in the United States Navy circa 1910, exemplifies how hydrographers continue to play vital roles within naval forces worldwide. Meanwhile, Matthew Fontaine Maury's image from 1896 reminds us of his influential work as both a naval officer and oceanographer. James Cook remains one of history’s most renowned explorers and navigators; his portrait painted by Nathaniel Dance-Holland captures his essence perfectly. Finally, Neptune raising James Cook to immortality symbolizes how hydrographers have become legends themselves through their contributions to maritime exploration. In every era and across continents, these remarkable individuals have shaped our understanding of oceans and coastlines. Their unwavering commitment has not only expanded our knowledge but also ensured safer voyages for generations to come. The legacy they leave behind continues to inspire new generations of hydrographers who will chart unexplored territories with precision and passion.