UKHO Archive Information Asset Register
The UKHO Archive Information Asset Register (IAR) contributes to the government-wide IAR, available through the Office of Public Sector Information.
Information Asset Register
The UKHO Archive Information Asset Register (IAR) contributes to the government-wide IAR, available through the Office of Public Sector Information. It is compiled under the guidance of His Majesty’s Stationery Office and contains listings of those datasets and databases which are unpublished and are not intended for general publication by us. Datasets and databases that contribute to our published products are not listed here.
Please note: the IAR contains information listings only. It does not provide direct access to holdings or contain the full content of the datasets listed.
A bibliography of books and articles on the history of the Hydrographic Office
SUBJECT: Hydrographic Office,Royal Navy Surveying Service,history
IARN: MD042-LIB0002 DATE: 1993 LAST UPDATE: n/a
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office COMMENTS: n/a
DESC: A list of books and articles concerned with a) the foundation in 1795 and, b) the growth and development of the Hydrographic Office up to 1970.
SOURCE: The information is created and held by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office.
COVERAGE: n/a FORMAT: Pamphlet (4 pages) LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: 0001454 RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: n/a
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
A provisional catalogue of logs, journals, documents, letters, record copies of books and pamphlets published by the Hydrographic Department and held in its archives.
SUBJECT: Hydrographic Office,Royal Navy Surveying Service,tides,Royal Navy,ships’ logs,survey data books,sailing directions,coastal views,lights list,Admiralty list of radio signals,correspondence,archives,manuscripts,letters,geographical positions
IARN: D042-LIB0003 DATE: 1974 LAST UPDATE: n/a
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: The departmental records held by the archives of the Hydrographic Office are Public Records deposited outside the Public Record Office. The records are still required for active use inside the office. The catalogue has not been verified as complete.
DESC: A catalogue of ships’ logs, journals, documents, letters, record copies of books and pamphlets published by the Hydrographic Department and held in its archives. It is arranged in 22 sections by category of material.
SOURCE: The information is created and held by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Loose-leaf file (500 pages) LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: 0001847 RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: n/a
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Catalogue of Admiralty charts and publications
SUBJECT: charts,hydrographic,Admiralty List of Lights,Admiralty List of Radio Signals,Admiralty Tide Tables,Admiralty Sailing Directions,Admiralty Distance Tables,Admiralty Astronomical data,Chart catalogues,Hydrographic Practice and Symbols,Meteorological Publications,Oceanographic Publications,Notice to Mariners,Admiralty Collection,Wrecks service,Law of the Sea Service,Tidal Predictions,Chart Agents,Admiralty Distributors
IARN: MD042-MSU00001 DATE: 2000 LAST UPDATE: 2000
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: This publication is updated by Notices to Mariners as required
DESC: List of all commercially available United Kingdom Hydrographic Office charts, publications, services and products
SOURCE: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office COVERAGE: WorldwideFORMAT: Book LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: NP131 RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: Annually
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Departmental files
SUBJECT: hydrography,surveying,charting,letters,correspondence,19th century,20th century
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00002 DATE: 1866 LAST UPDATE: 2000
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: Any information supplied to the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office by a third party will require their permission before it can be copied and distributed.
DESC: Incoming and outgoing correspondence, reports, departmental minutes and action taken. These are files contain the whole range of work associated with hydrography all over the world including records of administrative work undertaken when parts of the Professional and Naval Divisions were housed at Bath during World War II. There is correspondence with the following: Officers in charge of of surveys in the India Marine, the Astronomer Royal, Greenwich Observatory, Government Departments, Board of Trade, War Office, India Office, Colonial Office, Foreign Office, Ordnance Office, Meteorological Office, Lloyds, Trinity House, Northern Lights, Irish Lights, Foreign Hydrographic Offices, private and commercial organisations connected with surveying, hydrography and charting from all over the world. A small number are classified.
SOURCE: Information from Foreign Hydrographic Offices, commercial companies, private individuals, Government offices, Royal Navy and bodies connected with hydrography, charting and surveying worldwide.
COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Text: Paper file(s) Book(s) Document(s) LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: HH H H(W) S H(MO) HC HD HN HP HS IS M RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: On receipt
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Historical indexes
SUBJECT: hydrography,indexes,records,minute books,letters,19th century
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00003DATE: 1791 LAST UPDATE: 1924
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: In the 1950s a sum of money was made available to enable Vice-Admiral Sir Archibald Day, a former Hydrographer, to write his book ‘The Admiralty Hydrographic Service 1795-1919’. To enable this book to be written it was necessary to examine and index certain departmental records. This examination was done by Mr Stigant and Mr Luff, formerly of the Hydrographic Office, who prepared the indexes for this purpose. These indexes comprising 15 volumes, index departmental correspondence, mainly of the 19th century and include a large number of abstracts of historical interest. The money allocated to this indexing ran out before the work was completed. In particular the surveyors letters have not been abstracted.
DESC: Partial indexes and abstracts of some 19th century Hydrographic Office records
SOURCE: Information found in the Hydrographic Office archives
COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: TEXT: Book(s)LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: INDRIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: Static
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Hydrographic surveys: bathymetric sheets
SUBJECT: hydrography,bathymetry,bottom quality,soundings,17th century,18th century,19th century,20th century
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00004DATE: 1681 (17th century) LAST UPDATE:: 2000
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: This series includes data supplied by third parties which is not allowed to be copied withour written permission from the supplier. The surveys can be viewed by appointment only. This series contains many undated surveys and maps, some dating from the 17th century
DESC: Hydrographic survey information including some bathymetric and bottom quality data sheets
SOURCE: Royal Navy, Foreign Hydrographic Offices, commercial companies, private individuals, harbour masters, port authorities, local authorities, engineering companies and private developers
COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Single sheets and some books with folded sheets LANGUAGE:: English
DB ACRONYM: a-z A-E G-H K-M RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ:: Upon receipt
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, el: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Hydrographic surveys: bottom quality sheets
SUBJECT: hydrography,bottom quality,20th century
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00023 DATE: 20th century LAST UPDATE: 2000
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: n/a
DESC: Hydrographic survey information showing bottom quality data sheets
SOURCE: Royal Navy
COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Single sheets and some books with folded sheets LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: K M K M RIGHTS: Limited UPDATE FREQ: Upon receipt
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Index to minute books
SUBJECT: index,minute books
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00006 DATE: 1846LAST UPDATE: 1922
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: These contemporary manuscript indexes also cover the series of files known as ‘HD’ papers.
DESC: Index to the series of volumes known as Minute Books
SOURCE: Contemporary index created by the Hydrographic Office
COVERAGE: n/a FORMAT: Books (9 volumes) LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: IMBRIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: n/a
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Index to outgoing letter books
SUBJECT: index,abstracts,letters,correspondence,surveyors
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00005 DATE: 1857 LAST UPDATE: 1925
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: Contemporary manuscript indexes.
DESC: Index of letters received in the Hydrographic Office from 1857 to 1925
SOURCE: These contemporary indexes were compiled by staff of the Hydrographic Office.
COVERAGE: n/a FORMAT: Books (4 volumes) LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: ILBRIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: n/a
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Instructions to surveying ships
SUBJECT: surveying,survey ships,instructions
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00007DATE: 1926 LAST UPDATE:: 1936
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: n/a
DESC: Letters and instructions to surveying ships.
SOURCE: Data created by the Hydrographic Office as a record of instructions to officers
COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Text: Book LANGUAGE:: English
DB ACRONYM: ISS RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: Static
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, el: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Journal of engraving
SUBJECT: chart corrections,engraving,Admiralty charts,notices to mariners,notice to mariners
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00008 DATE: 1861 LAST UPDATE:: 1910
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: These ledgers contain details about a chart sent for engraving, if passed out of the office and details of the recipient. They are an important source for tracing corrections to charts prior to 1910 when the ‘Chart Histories ledger’ system was introduced.
DESC: These ledgers contain details of corrections to Admiralty charts actioned by notice to mariners and by office correction.
SOURCE: Contemporary record created by the Hydrographic Office
COVERAGE: orldwideFORMAT: Books (31 volumes) LANGUAGE:: English
DB ACRONYM: JNLERIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: n/a
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Miscellaneous papers
SUBJECT: Royal Royal Navy,navigation,surveys,letters,correspondence,coastal views,charts,trade,tides,astronomy,fortifications,anchorage,hydrography
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00010 DATE: 1760 LAST UPDATE: 1853
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office COMMENTS: It was obligatory for ships captains to supply this information.
DESC: A series of manuscript ships remark books giving information on coasts and ports visited by Royal Naval vessels from 1760 to 1853. The majority of books are divided up into the following headings: 1) Place and time of observations 2) Descriptions for sailing in and out of ports 3) Marks for anchoring 4) Of wooding and watering 5) Of provisions and refreshment 6) Descriptions of fortifications and watering places 7) Further descriptions in regards to trade, etc. This series also includes some survey drawings and a few letters.
SOURCE: Records created by ships’ captains and sent to the Admiralty, and after 1795, to the Hydrographer of the Navy for use in the compilation of charts and navigational publications
COVERAGE: n/a FORMAT: 114 volumes containg approx. 5000 remark books LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: MISCPPRIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: Static
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Outgoing letter books
SUBJECT: correspondence,letters,hydrography,surveying
IARN: MD042-HDC0001-00009DATE: 1815 LAST UPDATE: 1893
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: See the ‘Historical Indexes’ for abstracts of some letters in this series.
DESC: Copies of letters sent out from the Hydrographic Office from 1815-1887 and 1892-1893 covering all aspects of work undertaken by the office
SOURCE: Contemporary record created by the Hydrographic Office
COVERAGE: n/a FORMAT: Books (32 volumes) LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: LB RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: Static
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Photogrammetric plots
SUBJECT: hydrography,photogrammetry,aerial photography
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00011 DATE: 1952 LAST UPDATE: 2000
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext3451, fax +44 01823 352561
COMMENTS: Some photogrammetric data is derived from third party information and as such is not availbe to be copied without written permission from the party concerned. The photographs can be viewed by appointment only. DESC: Photogrammetric plots prepared from aerial photographs showing hydrographic and topographic information used for the preparation of nautical charts
SOURCE: Aerial photography held at the Hydrographic Office is mainly from Ordnance Survey and the Royal Air Force
COVERAGE: n/a FORMAT: Plastic film sheetsc LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: Pg RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: On receipt of new photography CONTACT/DISTRIB: Not available for distribution. Please contact the Creator for further details.
Returns of surveys
SUBJECT: surveys,hydrographic surveying,royal navy
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00013 DATE: 1851 LAST UPDATE: 1999
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: n/a
DESC: Annual returns of surveys executed by Royal Navy vessels giving the geographical area covered
SOURCE: Information provided by Staff Officer Survey Planning (SOSP) COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Book LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: RTNSRIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: Annually
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Research Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Ship’s logs
SUBJECT: royal navy,ships,log,Dispatch,Kelpie,Starling,Styx,Virago,Young Hebe,surveying,hydrography
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00014DATE: 1832 LAST UPDATE: 1853
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: The Starling, Styx, Virago and Young Hebe were all employed in surveying duties.
DESC: Official record of the day-to-day work carried out aboard the following ships: Dispatch, Kelpie, Starling, Styx, Virago and Young Hebe. SOURCE: Royal Navy
COVERAGE: West Indies,West Coast of Mexico,Pacific Ocean,China Sea,Azores,West Coast of Canada,Pitcairn Island,China FORMAT: Book LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: SPLG RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: n/a
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Analysis reports - 2006 routine resurveys
SUBJECT: temperature,wind,weather,hydrographic surveys,coastal views,hydrography,surveying,royal navy
IARN: MD042-HDC-001-00012 DATE: 1834 LAST UPDATE: 1909
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext3451, fax +44 01823 352561
COMMENTS: A list of remark books is available on request but there is no geographical index to the contents.
DESC: Information from ship’s captains of ports and harbours visited between 1834 and 1909. From 1861 the remarks are contained in hard-back printed books giving details of current, temperature, wind, weather and remarks. There are some hydrographic surveys and coastal views contained in the remark books in this series.
SOURCE: Information provided by Royal Naval Captains. COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Book LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: RB RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: Static
CONTACT/DISTRIB: Not available for distribution. Please contact the Creator for further details.
Survey data books: astronomical observations
SUBJECT: astronomy,astronomical,royal navy,surveying,geographical positions
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00015 DATE: 1825 LAST UPDATE: 1894
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: A list of volumes is available under the following headings: Station [geographical area], year, observe, ship and remarks.
DESC: Astronomical Observations made by Royal Navy officers for geographical positions.
SOURCE: Royal Navy
COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Book (90 volumes) LANGUAGE:: English
DB ACRONYM: SDB1 RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ:: Static
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, el: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Survey data books: triangulation data
SUBJECT: Royal Navy,surveying,triangulation
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00016 DATE: 1801 LAST UPDATE: 1955
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: A list is available under the following headings: Station [area], year, observer, ship and remarks.
DESC: Triangulation readings recorded by Royal Navy officers.
SOURCE: Royal Navy
COVERAGE: orldwideFORMAT: Book (114 volumes) LANGUAGE:: English
DB ACRONYM: SDB3 RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ:: Static
CONTACT/DISTRIB: Not available for distribution. Please contact the Creator for further details.
Survey planning ledgers
SUBJECT: surveying,hydrography,Royal Navy
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00017 DATE: 1919 LAST UPDATE: 2000
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: The first volume is also known as ‘The White Book’ and is used as an aide memoir for long-term survey planning.
DESC: A list of areas and localities requiring survey with sources of reports and notes of any action taken.
SOURCE: Royal Navy Superintendent of Survey Planning
COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Book LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: SVPL RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ:: On receipt of information
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, el: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Surveying expenses
SUBJECT: surveying,hydrography,Royal Navy,finance
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00018
DATE: 1881 LAST UPDATE: 1888
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: n/a DESC: Contains details of the costs involved with particular Royal Navy surveys
SOURCE: Royal Navy
COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Book (1 volume) LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: SVEX RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: Static
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Research Manager, el: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Surveyors’ letter books: outgoing
SUBJECT: surveying,Royal Navy,Hydrographic Office,correspondence,letters,surveyors
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00019 DATE: 1866 LAST UPDATE: 1921
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: A series of contemporary manuscript indexes are available.
DESC: Copies of letters sent to Royal Navy Hydrographic Surveyors from the Hydrographic Office.
SOURCE: Record created by the Hydrographic Office
COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Book (25 volumes) LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: SLBORIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: Static
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Surveyors’ letters (series 1)
SUBJECT: Royal Navy,surveying,hydrography,correspondence,letters
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00020 DATE: 1818 LAST UPDATE: 1873
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: A list of the first series is available containing brief details of the contents of each packet and the dates covered. Items are ordered from archives by quoting the prefix followed by the packet number, e.g. SL27.
DESC: Letters received by the Hydrographic Office from Royal Navy surveying officers
SOURCE: Royal Navy record of letters received from hydrographic surveyors
COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Letters (132 packets) LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: SL RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: Static
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
Surveyors’ letters (series 2)
SUBJECT: Royal Navy,surveying,hydrography,correspondence,letters
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00021 DATE: 1866 LAST UPDATE: 1913
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: A list of the second series is available containing the name of the surveyor and the dates covered. Items are ordered from archives by quoting the prefix followed by the year number, e.g. SL1899.
DESC: Letters received by the Hydrographic Office from Royal Navy surveying officers
SOURCE: Royal Navy record of letters received from hydrographic surveyors
COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Letters LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: SL RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: Static
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office framework document, April 1996
SUBJECT: agency,finance,Hydrographic Office,trading fund
IARN: MD042-LIB0001 DATE: 1996 LAST UPDATE: n/a
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: n/a
DESC: This document sets out the relationship that the agency has with government departments and with its customers.
SOURCE: The information is created and held by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office.
COVERAGE: n/a FORMAT: Booklet LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: 000782 000782 RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: n/a
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561
View folios
SUBJECT: views,Royal Navy,coastline,harbours,ports,coastal profiles,drawings,sketches
IARN: MD042-HDC001-00022 DATE: 1700 LAST UPDATE: 1955
CREATOR: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
COMMENTS: This series also contains a few charts in printed and manuscript format. After 1955 the coastal views are uncatalogued but are arranged in a geographical order with an index of areas kept with the folios.
DESC: Graphical images of coastal profiles, or views, supplied to the Hydrographic Office by Royal Navy officers and civilians
SOURCE: Records held by the Hydrographic Office and used in the production of nautical charts and publications
COVERAGE: Worldwide FORMAT: Book (104 volumes) LANGUAGE: English
DB ACRONYM: VF RIGHTS: Available UPDATE FREQ: Static
CONTACT/DISTRIB: UKHO, Archive Services Manager, tel: +44 01823 337900 ext 3451, fax +44 01823 352 561