The American Coast Pilot, a comprehensive navigation guide first issued in 1796, fundamentally altered how mariners navigated United States ports. Edmund March Blunt produced this essential reference, building a publishing enterprise that grew to become the largest firm of its kind during the early nineteenth century through a commitment to meticulous nautical documentation and surveying.
Early Publishing Endeavors
Born in 1770 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Blunt initially engaged in newspaper publishing. He established a partnership with Robinson to print the Impartial Herald in May 1793, though the venture concluded by February 1794. Shortly thereafter, he partnered with March to manage the Morning Star and the Impartial Herald. By 1795, the newspaper achieved a semi-weekly distribution schedule. Blunt exited this newspaper career in 1796, transferring his interests to Angier March before the publication eventually merged into the Newburyport Herald.
Nautical Charting and Expansion
Following his exit from the newspaper industry, Blunt shifted his focus toward hydrography and nautical charts. His 1796 American Coast Pilot served as a foundational text for port navigation, remaining in print through 1858 and reaching 21 editions by 1867. As his expertise grew, he expanded his geographical reach, extending chart coverage into the Pacific Ocean and, by 1857, the Indian Ocean. He also produced a specialized map of the region now known as the Federated States of Micronesia.
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In 1815, Blunt relocated his operations to New York City, establishing a business at 202 Water Street in Beekman Slip. His catalog included nautical books, sextants, quadrants, compasses, and spy glasses. In 1824, he formed the partnership E. & G. W. Blunt Publishing alongside his sons, Edmund and George. The firm remained central to maritime industry supplies until its closure in 1872, at which point the copyrights and metal plates were transferred to the Coast Survey and the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office.
Marine Surveying
Beyond publishing, Blunt engaged in direct field research. Between 1819 and 1826, he performed extensive marine surveys, notably focusing on the Nantucket Shoals and the Bahama Islands. Additionally, he conducted the first precise survey of New York harbor. His contributions to the field were recognized posthumously with the naming of Mount Blunt in Antarctica.
Fast facts
- Born: 1770, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
- Died: 4 January 1862, Ossining, New York
- Burial site: Sparta Cemetery
- Primary occupations: Cartographer, publisher, hydrographer, explorer
- Notable work: American Coast Pilot
- Major business: E. & G. W. Blunt Publishing
- Active surveying years: 1819–1826
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the American Coast Pilot?
It provided standardized, detailed descriptions of every port in the United States and remained an industry standard for over six decades.
Where did Blunt conduct his marine surveys?
He surveyed the Nantucket Shoals, the Bahama Islands, and performed the first accurate survey of New York harbor.
What happened to the E. & G. W. Blunt publishing firm?
The firm closed in 1872, selling its chart plates and copyrights to the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office and the Coast Survey.
Achievements
- Recorded as explorer, publisher and hydrographer
