English Channel Gallery

Matthew Pariss Map of Great Britain showing rivers & towns in the south of England & part of Wales, c.1250 (1944)

Many place-names are still recognisable today. The word Auster, written over the English Channel at the bottom, refers to wind bringing heavy cloud cover and fog. Map drawn by the historian Matthew Paris, a monk at St Alban's Abbey. Cotton MS Claudius D.vi, f.12v, manuscript in the British Library, London. From "British Maps and Map-Makers", by Edward Lynam. [Collins, London, 1944]

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The Isle of Wight, 1844. Creator: Unknown

The Isle of Wight, 1844. Map of the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England, made using Mr. Palmer's patent Giyphographic process, or Engraved Drawing'. The Isle of Wight is situated in the English Channel, at a short distance from the mainland of Hampshire, of which county it has commonly been reckoned a part. The channel which divides it from the grand line of our southern coast, varies in width from two to six miles, and bears the appellation of the Solent Sea. The form of the island is irregular, but bears a rude resemblance to that of the heraldic lozenge'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol V

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View of Southampton, 1844. Creator: Unknown

View of Southampton, 1844. Port on the south coast of England. Large new docks are in progress, and considering the security of the harbour and its numerous advantages as a packet station, Southampton appears to have before it prospects of improvement which perhaps no other town in England shares. From Southampton there are packets to Weymouth, Torquay, Plymouth,
Guernsey, St. Malo, Granville, and Havre de Grace. From Havre there is steam communication to Caen, Rouen, Rotterdam, Hamburgh, &c. The opening of the Rouen Railway has added greatly to the passenger trade of Southampton, which had already received a great impetus from the opening of the railroad from London'. From "Pictorial Times", 1844

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