Antique map of Bermuda and St. Kitts, 1744

The 1744 map of Bermuda and St. Kitts by Emanuel Bowen is a finely engraved example of mid-eighteenth-century British colonial cartography, produced at a time when the Atlantic world was central to imperial commerce and naval strategy. Bowen, appointed Geographer to King George II, was renowned for combining geographic accuracy with clear political intent, and this map reflects both qualities.

Bermuda is shown in careful detail, its elongated chain of islands precisely outlined and surrounded by dangerous reefs and shoals. Soundings, coastal markings, and anchorages emphasize the navigational hazards that made Bermuda both a perilous approach and a naturally fortified naval station. The internal division of the islands into parishes is clearly marked, underscoring British administrative control and long-standing settlement.

St. Kitts (St. Christopher), one of Britain’s most valuable Caribbean possessions, is depicted with equal care. Plantations, towns, roads, and defensive works are noted, reflecting the island’s role as a major sugar-producing colony. The mountainous interior is rendered in shaded relief, while coastal bays and harbors highlight the island’s maritime orientation and commercial infrastructure.

Bowen’s map balances scientific precision with restrained ornament. Title cartouches and explanatory notes provide context without overwhelming the geographic content. The emphasis on fortifications, harbors, and territorial divisions reveals the map’s strategic function, particularly during the War of the Austrian Succession, when control of Caribbean islands was fiercely contested.

As a historical document, this map illustrates Britain’s global reach and its reliance on accurate cartography to manage trade, defense, and colonial governance. It stands as a clear expression of eighteenth-century imperial geography, linking distant Atlantic territories within a single visual framework.

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