North Coast nautical history and chart fans arent going to be happy about this: According to a story on gCaptain.com, on April 13, after 151 years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Coast Survey WONT PRINT PAPER NAUTICAL CHARTS anymore (http://tinyurl.com/nomocharts).

However, all is not lost for mariners, who will still have other options available, including charts that can be downloaded for free at www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov

Chart fans take note: In the midst of exploring the Coast Survey website, the Ear found a true gem the HISTORICAL MAP AND CHART COLLECTION (http://tinyurl.com/histcharts). Pictured, a section of an 1889 chart of Astoria.

There are more than 35,000 high resolution scanned images (!), including some of the Nations earliest nautical charts, bathymetric maps, city plans, and Civil War battlefield maps. Heavy sigh. Where to begin?

Elleda Wilson