Haines, Stafford Bettesworth. Survey of Part of the South East Coast of Arabia.

London, Edward Stanford, Royal Geographical Society, 1845.

Engraved map (360 x 315 mm).

 650.00

A map by Captain S. B. Haines (1805-60), Commander in the Indian Navy and the first political agent in Aden, showing his surveys of the coastal areas that had never before been recorded or charted, with one area remaining unexplored after his expedition.

Being the first charting of this section of the coast, Haines's map is a rare primary source. Haines commanded the East India Company's survey ship "Palinurus" from 1833 to 1839. His survey of the coast of Southern Arabia, performed in 1839, was driven by the Company's requirement for a coaling station to service its steamship on the Bombay-Suez route. The map extends from the Wadi Masilah near Sawit to Jebel Saffan, passing Morbat and Ras Madrakah, also showing Masirah Island and some smaller islands in Curia Muria Bay. Elevations are indicated, as are freshwater lakes, small villages, and a region irrigated for cultivation at Dafhar. One section along the coast is marked "unexplored".

This map pre-dates by more than two decades the construction of the Suez Canal Company, which opened on 17 November 1869. During this time, mail came overland through Egypt from Alexandria to Cairo, then Suez.

Folded, but in very good condition.