SHOM digitises historical archives
SHOM, the French Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service, has completed digitisation of 10,000 worldwide cartographic documents from its historical maritime and coastal archives.
They comprise approximately 3,300 marine charts dating back to the late 18th century and 6,700 hydrographic survey maps ranging from the beginning of the 19th century to the present day.
Freely available in a Jpg format on the organisation’s Archives Maritimes website sector at diffusion.shom.fr, it is anticipated that all documents will provide a better understanding of historical trends within recorded coastal and maritime environments, leading to a more informed appreciation of likely future concerns such as climate change, sea submersion risks and coastal erosions.
With an annual budget of nearly €60m and responsibility for assessing maritime borders of 30 countries, SHOM currently employs 500 naval and civil personnel supported by a fleet of 5 survey and research vessels.
By David Goodfellow
