Greenvile Collins

Greenvile Collins produced the first British survey of our coasts in Great Britain’s Coasting Pilot, previously the Dutch had been pre-eminent in this field. Collins won the support of King Charles I to produce his survey of England and Scotland, it took seven years. He was not a local hydrographer but did make the local charts and pilot which were definitive for many years. He was, effectively, although not in title, the first Hydrographer of Britain.

He is of further interest because he commanded several ships built by Sir Anthony Deane, although these were not local ships, he had an interesting career of which more can be read here and here on wikipedia.

Around 1676 he was the Master of both of the Charles and James galley-frigates: these were oared frigates serving in North Africa to combat Barbary pirates. He was also Master of HMS Resolution, built by Deane at Harwich. He became a Captain in due course.

Later, Collins, after surveying our coasts became master of the Royal Yachts Mary and Fubbs. Collins was certainly known to Pepys and dedicated the Harwich area chart from “The Coasting Pilot” to him.

1693 Greenvile Collins – The Coasting Pilot – East Coast Curious

1683 Greenvile Collins chart of Harwich Haven – East Coast Curious

1698 Greenvile Collins Thames Estuary – East Coast Curious