Single sheet. Col. ms. Cartographic Note: North at 25 degrees. Variation shown. Ungraduated. Soundings in French fathoms. Contents Note: Key to chart and explanation of provenance: "This chart is an exact copy of one taken from Lieut Vidal who was captured in La Courageux French frigate by the Centaur. Lieut Vidal was employ'd together with Captain Barré of the Alceste Frigate by the late Admiral Bruyes to survey the old Port of Alexandria for which see his intercepted letters to the French Minister of Marine, published among Buonaparte's intercepted letters of which the following is an extract: "It is vexatious that there is not a Port where a Fleet can enter, but the Old Port, of which we have heard so much, is shut up by a reef of rocks, some under and some above water, forming a number of narrow channels where the depth os only 20 to 25 and 30 feet, the sea to it is commonly very high, thus you see, that one of seventy fours would be in no small danger there, especially as she would ievitable go to pieces in a few minutes after touching the ground. To gratify the wishes of the Commander in Chief, I have offered a reward of Ten Thousand lires to any pilot of this country who will undertake to carry the squadron in, but none of them will venture to take charge of a single vessel that draws more than 20 feet; I hope however that we shall succeed in finding a channel by which our seventy fours may enter, but this can only be the result of many laborious and painful experiments. I have already engaged two intelligent officers in this business, Captain Barré commanding at present the Alceste, and Citizen Vidal first Lieutenant. If they find a channel they will bring it for us, and then we may enter without much danger. The depth within the reef increases to fifteen fathoms, but the getting out of the harbour will in all cases be very difficult, and very odious, so taht a squadron would engage to vast disadvantage." 3 beacon elevations. Passages marked. A copy of this survey was sent to the Hydrographic Office, which published it in 1801 (see G235:14/7).