Mapping the Sacramento River in 1837

Author(s): Glenn J. Farris

Year: 2018

Summary

The Sacramento River as it flows through the Carquinez Straits into San Francisco Bay is an imposing body of water. Ocean going ships could sail a considerable ways upstream. Whereas early Spanish explorers provided rough, schematic maps of the river as far back as 1824, the first professional mapping was accomplished by surveyors aboard HMS Sulphur, commanded by Captain Edward Belcher in 1837. However, the map resulting from this survey was never published. Recent research at the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office Archives combined with journals kept by expedition naturalists has greatly enhanced our understanding of this historic survey.

Cite this Record

Mapping the Sacramento River in 1837. Glenn J. Farris. Presented at Society for Historical Archaeology, New Orleans, Louisiana. 2018 ( tDAR id: 441489)

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

Spatial Coverage

min long: -129.199; min lat: 24.495 ; max long: -66.973; max lat: 49.359 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 155