Australia — Bass Strait, Corner Inlet (1842)
The Admiralty chart that revealed Victoria’s wild southern harbour
Hidden behind sandbanks and barrier islands on Victoria’s rugged southern coast lies Corner Inlet — one of Australia’s great natural harbours and a vital gateway to Gippsland. This magnificent 1842 British Admiralty chart, surveyed by Commander John Lort Stokes, RN, captures the moment this complex, tidal inlet was first measured, charted and made navigable.
Engraved by J. & C. Walker and published by the Hydrographic Office of the Admiralty, this was the working chart that allowed ships to safely enter one of the most important coastal trading hubs of colonial Victoria.
This is not a decorative map.
It is the blueprint of Gippsland’s sea gateway.
⚓ What This Chart Shows
This finely engraved Admiralty sheet reveals Corner Inlet in full navigational detail.
-
The entire Corner Inlet lagoon system
-
Barrier islands, tidal channels and sandbanks
-
Hundreds of bathymetric soundings showing safe depths and hidden dangers
-
Anchorages and coastal features
-
Coastal relief shown by hachures and spot heights
-
Greenwich prime meridian — true Admiralty navigation standard
This was the chart captains trusted when threading their way into Gippsland’s protected harbour.
🧭 Why This Chart Works
Most maps show coastlines.
This shows how ships actually used them.
-
Surveyed by Commander John Lort Stokes — Australia’s greatest early hydrographer
-
True British Admiralty production — the gold standard of navigation
-
Extraordinary technical detail — soundings, channels and shoals
-
Historic authority — used by 19th-century mariners
-
Museum-grade engraving by J. & C. Walker
This is the chart that turned Corner Inlet from wilderness into working port.
✨ Premium Finishes
Every Corner Inlet (1842) Admiralty Chart is printed in Australia using archival methods to preserve the fine engraving and historic character.
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
| 📜 Paper (160 gsm matte) | Smooth heavyweight archival paper with superb line clarity. Ideal for framing under glass. |
| 🧼 Laminated (True Encapsulation) | Sealed between 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate for full edge-to-edge protection. Tear-resistant and wipe-clean — perfect for clubs and offices. |
| 🖼️ Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte) | Printed on premium HP canvas using pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for a warm, gallery-grade finish. |
| 🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails | Laminated chart mounted between natural timber rails with hanging cord — ready to hang. Allow up to 10 working days. |
| 🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails | Canvas finished with lacquered natural timber rails for an elegant frameless maritime display. Allow up to 10 working days. |
📐 Size
738 mm (W) × 1000 mm (H)
A tall portrait-format wall map that perfectly suits the long, sheltered geography of Corner Inlet.
🎯 Ideal For
-
Maritime and naval history collectors
-
Yacht clubs and sailing organisations
-
Museums and libraries
-
Gippsland and Victorian heritage interiors
-
Anyone fascinated by Australia’s coastal history
🤝 Our Commitment
-
Printed in Australia with professional colour management
-
Archival pigment inks for long-term stability
-
Premium laminates and canvas for durability
-
Natural timber hang rails for elegant presentation
-
Hand-checked and carefully packed before dispatch
Corner Inlet once fed the growth of Victoria.
Choose your finish and bring this great Admiralty chart onto your wall.
