Peter Shortland

Peter Frederick Shortland (c. 1815 – 18 October 1888) was a British naval officer and hydrographic surveyor. He was noted for his work in North America, and for surveys involving deep soundings, particularly in preparation for the laying of submarine cables.

Biography Peter Shortland was born, probably in England, in about 1815, the son of Thomas George Shortland, a captain in the Royal Navy, and Elizabeth Tonkin. He entered the Navy on 15 January 1827, passed his examinations in December 1834, and was appointed sub-lieutenant. He was first involved in surveying work at Port Phillip as mate of .

Admiralty Chart of part of the Bay Of Fundy, surveyed by Shortland in 1860. In 1838 he was given leave of absence to study mathematics at Pembroke College Cambridge, graduating first class in 1842, and becoming a fellow of the college. Overall Shortland's survey work in North America resulted in the publication of 15 major charts The cable was opened for public use on 14 March 1870. While carrying out this survey he made a number of improvements to the methods used for deep soundings, which led to a request from the Hydrographer to publish an account of the voyage.

Shortland retired in November 1870, on reaching the age of 55. He then went on to study law at Cambridge, being called to the bar in January 1873.