"Port Madison" by U.S. Coast Survey Office
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Source: Washington: U. S. Coast Survey Office, 1851.
Color: Colored lithograph.
Date: 1868
Creator: U.S. Coast Survey Office
Size: 18 x 19.5 inches (print within frame); 25 x 27 inches (framed)
Description: This is a nice 1868 U.S. Coast Survey nautical chart or sea chart of Port Madison in the Washington Territory. Depicts Port Madison including surrounding regions of Indianola, Suquamish, Agate Point, in the Puget Sound region. the map offers detailed nautical information essential for navigation, including tide data, soundings, and sailing directions. The map features text, tables, relief shown by hachures, and depths indicated by soundings and shading.
The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey was first established in 1807 and is the oldest scientific organization in the U.S Government. After the Civil War, the bureau took responsibility for mapping and conducting geodetic surveys of the the interior of the expanding country. Over the course of the 19th century, the survey worked closely with the U.S. Navy to produce sea charts of the country's coasts, harbors, and waters that could serve scientific as well as military functions. The first superintendent, Ferdinand Hassler, set the foundation for the Survey's rigorous scientific standards, employing advanced techniques and a labor-intensive triangulation system to ensure accuracy. His successor, Alexander Dallas Bache, expanded the Survey's influence, securing funding and overseeing its most critical work from 1843 to 1865. The organization evolved into the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1878 and is now part of NOAA as the National Geodetic Survey.
In 1862 a report of The Superintendent of the Coast Survey progress was given to the 37th Congress in their 3rd session. In this report Port Madison along with it's neighbor Port Orchard are described as follows.
"Point Jefferson is the northern side of the entrance to this port, which runs 3 miles W. SW., with an average width of 2 miles and a large depth of water, except under point Jefferson, where anchorage may be had in 10 and 15 fathoms, hard sandy bottom, with patches of kelp inshore.
The southeast point of the entrance is low and sandy, making out from high wooded ground. One mile west of it is the narrow entrance to a natural canal, upon which, in full view, are situated the Port Madison saw-mills. At the SW. part of the bay is the very narrow entrance to Port Orchard. The channel is somewhat crooked, but it has 3 and 4 fathoms water in it. On the western side of this entrance are some white patches of beach, formed by clam shells. In 1857 an Indian village was situated here, and an Indian sub-agency. Both sides of the entrance are bluffs. Vessels not well acquainted with the channel must enter under easy sail, and keep a lead going on each side of the vessel to ascertain where the deepest water lies. After getting through give the point, one mile off on the western side, a berth of nearly half a mile, to avoid a shoal which makes out east from it. Thence it is plain sailing in 15 to 25 fathoms of water. After passing the first point an arm opens to the NW., and many vessels load there with spars. Ten miles up the southern channel is, or was, a saw-mill. In coming out of this port vessels should not trust the southern entrance, but leave as they entered.
Port Madison was named by the United States Exploring Expedition in 1841. The Indian name is Noo-soh'-kum."
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