1892 Proof State U.S. Navy Map of Honolulu Harbor, w/manuscript corrections

A fascinating 1892 proof-state of the first U.S. Survey of Honolulu Harbor, Hawaii, completed under Captain Gilbert Wiltse in 1892. Replete with manuscript corrections and annotations, this map offers unique insight into the processes behind U.S. Navy Hydrographic office survey publication. Historically, is appeared within the context potential US-Hawaiian Annexation and the 1893 Hawaiian Revolution - in which Wiltse played a role.

Hawaiian Revolution

This map was surveyed and published against the backdrop of political instability in Hawaii and the drive for its annexation into the United States by a cadre of powerful Caucasian Honolulu businessmen. Hawaiians, for their part, were dissatisfied with the restrictive 'Bayonet Constitution' forced at gunpoint on King Kalakaua in 1887. That construction stripped the monarchy of much of its authority, transferring power to American, European, and native Hawaiian elites. Queen Liliuokalani, who succeeded Kalakaua in 1891, announced in 1893 that she would propose new constitution more favorable to the Hawaiian monarchy.

Meanwhile, a group of American and European anti-monarchists formed the 'Annexation Club', with the intent to overthrow the monarchy in anticipation of U.S. Annexation. In January of 1893, the present of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, was an ardent expansionist and eager to make the annexation a reality. It is likely that Harrison's administration was in touch with Annexation Club members as early 1892 and fully supported their agenda. Although undocumented, it is even likely that the Wiltse survey, offered here, was planned in anticipation of such action. Certainly, existing correspondence with the Secretary of the Navy Benjamin F. Tracy indicates that he was initially sent there in mid 1892 to protect American interests.

Keen to prevent the new constitution, the Annexation Club overthrew Liliuokalani on January 17, 1893. Wiltse, still in Honolulu Harbor landed 162 marines to protect the U.S. consulate and other assets during the uprising - but he too generally supported the revolution. The next day, the 'Committee of Safety' issued their proclamation declaring martial law, deposing the queen, and establishing the Provisional Government until such time as union with the US could be attained. Both U.S. government minister John L. Stevens and Captain Wiltse supported the revolutionaries and, by midnight, all 17 foreign consuls in Honolulu recognized the new government.

Back in Washington, Harrison surrendered the presidency to Grover Cleveland, who was anti-expansionist and rejected annexation. Cleveland criticized the involvement of the American military in the coup, but took no substantive action to restore the Hawaiian monarchy. The new pro-annexation government in Honolulu continued to push for their goals. Meanwhile, Cleveland was replaced by William McKinley. While not an ardent expansionist, when the Spanish American War broke out in 1898, Hawaii became an extremely valuable naval asset and the push for annexation gained new momentum. It was formally annexed on August 12, 1898.

A Closer Look

The chart offers large scale detail of both the city and harbor of Honolulu, at the time sill a relatively small town with basic services and a limited grid surrounding the harbor and palace. The map notes existing streets as well as important private and government structures. There are thousands of depth soundings throughout in fathoms.

Manuscript Annotations

Most text, including soundings, is crossed out in pencil, likely reflecting a checking or correction system prior to the map being sent for re-engraving and publication. Other annotations in red pen are intended corrections, most of which are indeed represented in the 1893 official printing. These include the correction of typographical and engraving errors, adding new information, and updating existing content. The chart was officially published by the U.S. Navy Hydrographic office in September 1893 - 'September' is also written in pencil in the lower margin.

Publication History and Census

This map was prepared in 1892 under the command of U.S. Navy Captain Gilbert Conwall Wiltse. The present example is a unique proof, of which no comparable exists. The subsequent official chart, issued in September 1893, survives in but a single example, at the University of Wisconsin. The basic outline presented here served as the structural underpinning of all subsequent U.S. Hydrographic Office charts of Honolulu Harbor through the 1960s.