A New and Accurate Chart of the Western or Atlantic Ocean. . .

A map that is typical of the sort published by Emanuel Bowen. This chart of the Western or Atlantic Ocean contains numerous annotations, which lend a fascination and charm to the item. A paragraph at the top of the chart provides an overview of how currents (namely, the Gulf Stream) and trade winds can dictate navigation.
A second and more interesting paragraph, and lies under the title block, and it alludes to the mythical voyage of Prince Madoc, a Welsh prince whose legend has him sailing to North America in 1170 – predating Columbus by over 300 years!
The story originated in the medieval era and was revived several times throughout history, up to the mid-19th century, when Native American tribes were thought to be the ancestors of these “Welsh Indians.” Despite Bowen’s assertion that “there is great probability that Madoc…landed on [the] coast of Florida,” there is little concrete evidence to back up his claims. Perhaps in an effort to hedge his bets, the cartographer included the tracks of Columbus across the Atlantic, as well as a small image of one of his ships.
In addition to the attractive title cartouche, there is a lovely compass rose, and many, many rhumb-lines radiating out in all directions. The map extent takes in the northern tip of South America, the Caribbean, the entire eastern seaboard of North America and Canada, across to western Europe including the British Isles, Spain, Portugal, Holland, France, Belgium, the western half of the Mediterranean Sea, and West Africa as far south as the 'slave coast', and also the Barbary Coast and Morocco.