1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Hydrography

HYDROGRAPHY (Gr. ὕδωρ, water, and γράφειν, to write), the science dealing with all the waters of the earth’s surface, including the description of their physical features and conditions; the preparation of charts and maps showing the position of lakes, rivers, seas and oceans, the contour of the sea-bottom, the position of shallows, deeps, reefs and the direction and volume of currents; a scientific description of the position, volume, configuration, motion and condition of all the waters of the earth. See also Surveying (Nautical) and Ocean and Oceanography. The Hydrographic Department of the British Admiralty, established in 1795, undertakes the making of charts for the admiralty, and is under the charge of the hydrographer to the admiralty (see Chart).