RINGGOLD, Cadwalader (1802-1867, surveyor). Chart of the Bay of San Pablo Straits of Carquines and part of the Bay of San Francisco California by ... Ringgold assisited by Simon F. Blunt ... Projected, constructed & drawn by Fred. D. Stuart ... assisted by A.H. Campbell. Washington, D.C.: [circa 1850]. Lithographic map, by C.B. Graham from Ringgold's survey. Sheet size: 31 1/8 x 21 5/16 inches. In good condition, on later backing paper with a number of small repaired marginal tears.

Rare unfolded thick paper issue of this important early chart of San Francisco bay and its environs by the 'Gold Rush Surveyor' (A.F. Houston).

This rare separately issued map sheet is one of the results of a series of surveys carried out under Cadwalader Ringgold's leadership between August 1849 and June 1850. The California gold rush had brought home the fact that there was an urgent need for accurate charts of the route from the Golden Gate up river to Sacramento and beyond to the area around Sutter's Fort on the American River. The local government and business community moved quickly: the San Francisco newspaper Alta California (20 June 1849) noted that 'A subscription is on foot among our business men to survey and buoy the Suisun bay and the Sacramento river between the port and Sacramento city. Captain Ringgold, USN, has been employed to make the survey, and there is every prospect that it will be speedily accomplished' The results of the survey were published in Ringgold's A series of charts, with sailing directions, embracing surveys of the Farallones, entrance to the bay of San Francisco, bays of San Francisco and San Pablo, straits of Carquines and Suisun Bay, confluence and deltic branches of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and the Sacramento River (with the middle fork) to the American River, including the cities of Sacramento and Boston, State of California. (Washington: J.T. Towers, 1851), with the charts, folded and printed on thin paper. The present example is from the rare series of charts printed on thick paper, unfolded and intended for use on board the vessels wishing to make the hazardous journey up river to Sacramento.

Cf. Alan Fraser Houston 'Cadwalader Ringgold, U.S. Navy' in California History, vol.79, Winter 2000; cf. Cowan (II), pp. 533-534; cf. Howes-Hartley R-301; cf. Kurutz 536c; cf. Rocq 11146; Rumsey 4658.001; cf. Sabin 71425; cf. Streeter Sale 2679.