About us (original) (raw)

Over 225 years of expertise

The UK Hydrographic Office has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century. Our organisation was first established in 1795 by King George III, with Alexander Dalrymple serving as the first National Hydrographer.

From the early expeditions of great explorers to today’s cutting-edge survey techniques, we have amassed vast quantities of information throughout our history. Today, hundreds of thousands of historical documents and records are contained within the UKHO archive, representing one of the most complete maritime collections of its type in the world.