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Rare Revolutionary War chart of Charleston Harbor, issued by the French Depot de la Marine in 1778.

The chart was created in connection with the alliance between France and the American colonies, formalized in 1778. France's entry into the war brought substantial military and naval resources to the American cause, providing much-needed support against the well-equipped British forces. French naval power was instrumental in challenging British dominance at sea and in aiding American operations along the coast.

The chart illustrates the entrance to the Charles River and Charleston Harbor. Oriented with north to the right, the chart presents a detailed depiction of the soundings, currents, anchorages, shoals and banks, navigational hazards, and the lighthouse and beacon. Along the shore are pictorial depictions of grand plantation homes, Fort Sullivan and Fort Johnson, and the the city of Charleston highlighting two prominent church steeples.

The map was issued by the French Depot de la Marine, based upon an earlier chart by Sayer & Bennett, but thereafter corrected by the French naval office to eliminate the references to Peter Parker's battle at Fort Sullivan, and adding detailed sailing directions not included in the English edition.

The chart includes the names of several land owners, including Colonel Robert Rivers and Thomas Lamboll (on James Island).  The sailing directions translate as follows:

To enter the Port of Charles Town situated on the coast of South Carolina: The direct route to pass the bar is west, veering south if you steer towards the place where the lower beacon is currently placed; this beacon is not fixed at the point where it was first established by Captains W. White and John Tuke.

The route, when heading towards the upper beacon or the lighthouse, is west and west-northwest.

The most favorable time to enter the port is an hour and a half before high tide. When approaching, one must navigate closely to the breakers, but great care must be taken to stay in at least six to seven fathoms of water, and to move away from these breakers as soon as the depth decreases: for they are sharp; and one might find six fathoms by the sounding line, and the next moment run aground. 

Charleston During The American Revolution

Charleston, South Carolina, played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, serving as a significant site for both strategic military engagements and fervent revolutionary activity. As one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the American colonies, Charleston's contributions to the Revolutionary War were marked by its economic power, strategic location, and the resolve of its citizens. 

Charleston's early involvement in the Revolution was fueled by its economic significance. As a major port city, Charleston was crucial for the export of rice, indigo, and other goods, making it a target for British economic policies that angered colonists, such as the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Tea Act of 1773. The city’s merchants and planters played a leading role in organizing resistance to British taxation, participating in boycotts and forming the Charleston Sons of Liberty.  

One of the most significant military engagements involving Charleston during the American Revolution was the Siege of Charleston in 1780. After several years of conflict, British forces, under the command of General Sir Henry Clinton, launched a major campaign to capture Charleston. The city, defended by American General Benjamin Lincoln, endured a lengthy and grueling siege. Despite fierce resistance, Charleston fell to the British on May 12, 1780, resulting in the largest surrender of American forces during the war.  

In the aftermath of Charleston’s fall, the surrounding South Carolina countryside became a hotbed of partisan warfare. Figures like Francis Marion, known as the "Swamp Fox," led guerrilla campaigns against British and Loyalist forces, utilizing the region's swamps and forests to launch surprise attacks. These partisan efforts disrupted British supply lines and communications, maintaining pressure on the occupying forces and preventing them from fully consolidating their control. 

Charleston’s involvement in the American Revolution culminated in the eventual withdrawal of British forces in December 1782, following the decisive American victory at Yorktown in 1781. The city's liberation was a moment of immense relief and triumph for its residents, who had endured years of hardship and occupation. 

Rarity

The map is quite rare on the market, with only one prior offering in a dealer catalogue in the past 25 years (Arkway 2000).

This is the second example we have offered for sale in over 30 years (1992-2024) and the first since 2011.