Tracks for Full Powered Steam Vessels; With Distances in Nautical Miles

This was published at the Hydrographic Office in Washington D.C. in February 1896. No. 1530. Charles D. Sigabee Commander, U.S. N. Hydrographer. Format is approximately 26 inches by 17 inches, folded. This map is disbound from Volume I of the Commercial Directory of the American Republics compiled by the Bureau of American Republics, International Union of American Republics, Joseph P. Smith, Director (1897) [Title page from Directory is present]. Taped to top right of map, in margin, is the statement "This chart is intended solely to show tracks of steam vessels on the ocean, and no authority is assumed for the boundary lines as drawn between the countries." Map has some color differentiation and several inserts presenting distance information between major ports of call. Map has been folded with approximately the top third folded down. It is also folded into four sections of different lengths to fit as the frontis to the Directory. Map has some wear and soiling/staining. This is similar to the large-scale and detailed World chart on Mercator's projection produced by the British Admiralty under the "Superintendence of Captain Wharton, R.N., F.R.S Hydrographer" engraved by Edward Weller and sold by J. D. Potter chart agent. The map has no internal landmass detail unless relevant to steam ship routes, thus, the Suez and Panama canals are marked, as is the Canadian Pacific Railway. Panels along the lower edge list major ports and give distances dependent on routes taken, and average knots-per-hour speeds with daily distances covered in miles. The world's major ports are linked by ship-routes, each track with its relevant distance and so on. An interesting chart at the time steam took over from sail. Charles Dwight Sigsbee (1845 - 1923) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. In his earlier career he was a pioneering oceanographer and hydrographer. He is best remembered as the captain of the USS Maine, which exploded in Havana harbor, Cuba, in 1898. Presumed First Edition, First printing thus.…