Australia — North Coast: Port Darwin (1937–1944)
A detailed Royal Australian Navy harbour chart from the Second World War era
This finely executed hydrographic chart of Port Darwin captures the harbour as surveyed in 1937 by Lieutenant-Commander R. B. A. Hunt, R.A.N., and the officers of H.M.A. surveying ship H.M.A.S. Moresby. Reproduced in 1944 by the Hydrographic Branch Sydney—by permission of the Hydrographer—this edition reflects wartime revisions and operational updates crucial to Darwin’s defence and logistics during World War II.
Issued originally for fleet purposes under Vice-Admiral John Edgell, the chart is drawn at a large harbour scale, presenting dense soundings, clear shoreline definition, and navigational clarity essential for anchorage, pilotage, and manoeuvre. Mounted on cloth in its original form, it combines practical authority with a clean, understated aesthetic that reads beautifully when displayed.
🧭 What This Chart Shows
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Port Darwin harbour in high detail
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Extensive bathymetric soundings for navigation
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Harbour limits, approaches, and shoreline form
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Wartime revisions and notices applied through 1943
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Australian chart designation Aus. F. 062 (Greenwich meridian)
⚓ Why This Chart Matters
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A Royal Australian Navy survey at peak strategic importance
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Documents Darwin’s harbour during the WWII period
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Large-scale clarity ideal for both study and display
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A rare Australian-issued revision of earlier Admiralty work
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Strong provenance and institutional authority
✨ Premium Print & Display Options
Printed in Australia using archival methods to preserve fine linework and tonal balance.
| Finish | Description |
|---|---|
| 📄 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte) | Archival matte surface; ideal for framing under glass. |
| 🔒 Laminated (True Encapsulation) | Sealed between 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate; durable and wipe-clean. |
| 🎨 Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte) | Pigment-based, fade-resistant inks with gallery presence. |
| 🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails | Natural lacquered timber rails, ready to hang (allow up to 10 working days). |
| 🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails | Elegant, frame-free presentation (allow up to 10 working days). |
📐 Size (W × H)
1000 mm × 877 mm
Orientation: Landscape
Aspect ratio: ~1.37 : 1
Framing tips: Allow a 2–3 mm mat overlap, or float-mount with a subtle ~3 mm reveal to highlight the harbour detail.
Custom sizing: Available on request.
🎯 Ideal For
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Australian naval and WWII history enthusiasts
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Nautical chart collectors
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Libraries, museums, and defence institutions
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Offices and interiors with a Northern Australia focus
🤝 Our Commitment
Printed locally in Australia with archival pigment inks, careful colour management, and hand-checked finishing—packed securely and ready to display.
Choose your finish and bring this authoritative wartime chart of Port Darwin to your wall.
