Question about old chart

[Island Hunter]

I have followed this site for some time now, but this is my first real post. I came across this old chart and found the date interesting. The chart (very official) was published late 1700’s. Any thoughts?

 

[wreckdiver1715]

Welcome aboard Island Hunter!

 

[mariner]

Island Hunter,

Welcome. What's 20 odd years between friends?

Mariner

 

[Island Hunter]

Thanks for the welcome(s). As I said “found the date interesting” not significant. But I do wonder why an educated person like the Geographer to the King would record this date without some reason. Thought one of the many knowledgeable people on this forum may have some insight.

 

[G.I.B.]

My thoughts... I could spend a long time looking at old charts. I really enjoy the day-dreaming adventures I've been on.

Here is another view...

 

[mariner]

Well Columbus would have only been 18 then.

The lesson is that you have to be very wary of second-hand information, even when you would think that the source was authoritative. That's why original, first hand sources are so important in historical research. Apart from the possibility of accidental errors, maps were often used for political disinformation (though not in this case, I think).

Mariner

 

[Mackaydon]

Island Hunter:
For years cartographers showed California as an island--as it may eventually be again through volcanic activity along the San Andreas Fault.

 

[FISHEYE]

Where it says columbus landed here: is the island of hispanola,known today as the dominican republic.Columbus was shipwrecked on the northwest side of the island.People are still looking for his wreck.I think most of it was salvaged to build a fort there.I have a similar chart of that island.Welcome to the form,Island Hunter.

 

[ivan salis]

1492,1493,1498 and 1502 -- are the "offically" recorded dates that columbus made his 4 voyages in -- clearly a error by the map maker --unless of course they were trying to claim a even earlier date of discovery for political reasons .( which of course is not unheard of) --say two countries had competing "claims" on who a bit of land belonged to --(think spain and portugal and how they went to the pope to settle "ownership" of the new world to avoid a war )-- now a map with an "earlier" discovery date would be very useful in such a case --no? Ivan

right day--but only 23 years too soon.


it was Oct 12 of 1492 that first landing was made at san salvador --- oddly the isle of hispanola (haiti / dom. republic) was actully found by the capt of the Nina (Martin Alonso Pinzon) who broke away from (deserted) Columbus on Nov 21st ,1492 off of the island of cuba , in an vain to attempt to find an "isle of gold" and upstage Columbus--- Columbus caught up with him on hispanola on Jan 6th of 1493 --a bit later Columbus vessel the Santa Maria sank off of what is today La Navidad in Haiti -- a fort was built from its wreckage and 39 men were left behind to man it ,it was during second trip in the later part of 1493 upon his return that columbus found the fort burnt down and his crew that were left behind wiped out -- most likely by the fierce coastal village raiding carib indains who where known man eaters and slave takers.

note it was during the second trip that local "natives" told columbus of "black" people with metal spears that had been on the island before he came --one of these metal spears was sent back to spain and upon inspection it was found to be of the same design and metal make up of those in african guinea.