Sailing Directions

Exploring the Early Americas The Jay I. Kislak Collection

Pre-Contact America | Explorations and Encounters | Aftermath of the Encounter

Languages and Religion | Competition for Empire | Documenting New Knowledge

“Descripción de las costas yslas y vajos desde Sn. Martin una de las Yslas de Barlovento hasta la Havana” [Description of the coasts, islands, and lowlands from St. Martin… to Havana], 1777.
Manuscript atlas.
Pen-and-ink, watercolor, and pencil.
Jay I. Kislak Collection, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress (120)

This manuscript pilot-guide details the hazards of navigation between the island of St. Martin and the ports of Havana, San Juan, and Santo Domingo, through the Windward Passage between Hispaniola and Cuba and on to Veracruz in Mexico. A short section covers the route from Veracruz through the Straits of Florida to Cadiz in Spain. Its depictions of currents, distances, landmarks, coastal elevations, and plans of harbors were used by the Spanish treasure fleets. These pages show profiles of coastal elevations from Maisi along the north coast of Cuba and plans of Baracoa and Nipe bays.