American War of Independence (1775-83)
George III’s maps and views showing the development of the war at home and abroad, from North America to India
Delaware River and Fort Mifflin, 1777
THE COURSE OF / DELAWARE RIVER / from PHILADELPHIA to CHESTER, / Exhibiting the several WORKS erected by the REBELS to defend its Passage, / with the ATTACKS made upon them by His MAJESTY’S Land & Sea Forces
published 1778Etching and engraving; printed on paper; hand coloured | Scale: 1:33,528 approx. | RCIN 734028
A map showing in detail the shoals and channels of the Delaware with the blockades erected by the Americans and the passage of the British ships Vigilant and Fury round the north side of Hog island. The dispositions of the British land and sea forces are coloured in red.
The construction of Fort Mifflin had been begun by the British engineer, John Montresor, in 1771. Having taken control of Philadelphia in September 1777, the British then laid siege to Fort Mifflin at the beginning of October, eventually taking it on 15 November 1777.
This is the earliest of three known states; the later states are distinguished by differences in detail and by date: ‘March 20.th 1779’ and ‘Jan.y 1st 1785’. The second state is reproduced in Nebenzahl and Higginbotham 1974, no.29.
Inset: [left centre:] A SKETCH OF FORT ISLAND. Scale: 1:8,572 approx. Scale bar [32 mm =] 300 Yards. Size: 14.4 x 12.6 cm (neatline). [Bottom right:] Profile / and / Plan / of the Sunk Frames or / Chevaux de Frize which / formed the Stackadoes / in the River.
Condition: one fold line; induced discolouration.
William Faden (1749-1836) (engraver) [top centre, below title:] Engraved by William Faden Charing Cross April 30.th 1778.
Watermark: Fleur-de-lys in crowned shield, the letters G R below; countermark: WF
Condition: one fold line; induced discolouration
Scale: 1:33,528 approx. Scale bar: [96 mm =] Two Miles.
43.5 x 67.0 cm (neatline)
44.0 x 67.5 cm (image)
46.4 x 69.5 cm (platemark)
52.8 x 74.7 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
THE COURSE OF / DELAWARE RIVER / from PHILADELPHIA to CHESTER, / Exhibiting the several WORKS erected by the REBELS to defend its Passage, / with the ATTACKS made upon them by His MAJESTY’S Land & Sea Forces. [top centre]
Inset:
[left centre:] A SKETCH OF FORT ISLAND. Scale: 1:8,572 approx. Scale bar [32 mm =] 300 Yards. Size: 14.4 x 12.6 cm (neatline). [Bottom right:] Profile / and / Plan / of the Sunk Frames or / Chevaux de Frize which / formed the Stackadoes / in the River.
Annotations:
George III heading: Delaware River Oct. 1777.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom, right of centre, black pencil, erased:] Delaware Oct. 1777; [bottom, right of centre, black pencil:] 14-19 [and] XVII/28-1.
George III catalogue entry:
Delaware River A Map of the Course of the Delaware River from Philadelphia to Chester, exhibiting the several Works erected by the Rebels to defend its passage: with the Attacks made upon them by His Majesty’s Land and Sea Forces in October 1777: published by Faden, 1778. [followed by note in a twentieth-century hand in black pencil:] Also showing rebel batteries 1778.
Subject(s)
Delaware River, USA
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (39°52'31"N 75°12'46"W)
Bibliographic reference(s)
K. Nebenzahl, A bibliography of printed battle plans of the American Revolution 1775-1795, Chicago and London 1975, no.132, pp.85-7
K. Nebenzahl and R.D. Higginbotham, Atlas of the American Revolution, Chicago 1974, no.29
H. Stevens and R. Tree, ‘Comparative cartography’, The Map Collectors’ Circle, 39, London 1967, no.17a
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
