Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-09
THE DEAD SEA EXPEDITION.
FROM TIE RICHMOND REPUBLICAN.

ne september number oil the southern Literary Messen-
ger contains article of profound interest this subject
from the pen Of Lieut.. M. F. MAuRr.
Lieut. MAuRr gives history of this expedition, brief but
lucid and which will increase the anxiety of the public
the report OF Lieut. LYNCH who has made successful
vey and who, glad lean, expected to return
| to this country
We learn from Lieut. MAuRYs article that this expedition
planned by Lieut. LYNCH and authorized by Secretary
MAsos. In the spring Of ls47 Lieut. LYNCH first addressed
the Secretary the subject, recommending ccumnaviga
ton and exploration of the Dead Sea and its entire
stating that the expense would be uing ships fire.
quenty touched Acre. in Syria forty miles from Lake Ii
bas or Sea of Gaee, from which the river Jordan runs
and debouches into the first named that the fame Of
boat with crew and provisions could be transported on
mes from Acre to berias and there put together again. Only
one traveller Mr. Corgan had crcumnavgated the
Dead Sea- and he had died the termination of his voyage
without leaving any journal behind 1t twas commended
also, that independent of the eager curiosity of all Chrsten
dom in regard this mysterious lake. this expedition is Of
value to the interests Of navigation
The Secretary Of the Navy received favoraby the PROPOSE
ton Of Lieut. Lynch, and opportunity occurred by
which could be conveniently carried nO effect It was
cessary to send stoeshp to the Mediterranean squadron
and after her arrival she would have employment for
MONTHS the Secretary determined send Lieut.. Lynch and
dron she could proceed up the Levan and land Lieutenant
Lynch and his companions.
This done. The storeship "supply" provid-
ed with metallic boats of copper, the other of iron
the former named " Fanny Mason and the latter Fanny
Skinner"
Onher arrival their destination their toubes began and
in their march Lake Liberals their bolts had to be trans
ported the most formidable mountain goges and heights,
and to be lowered down precpce with ropes But these diff
cultes surmounted with sailor skill and perseve
rance and the 9Th of April the two Fannies each with the
American ensign flying, afoa upon the beautiful blue
Of the of Galee "Embema,ic of its Master,
alone OF all things around them remained the Just
the Apostles it when Saviour said it, Peace, be
still, this little band Of rovers behedh."T
The navigation of the Jordan ounl be most difficult
and dangerous from its frequent and feau rapids Lieut.
LrSca solves the secret of the depression between Lake Ii
beas and the Dead Sea by the course of the Jordan
which, in distance Of sixty miles, winds through of
hundred miles, Within this distance Lieut. Lynch and
his party plunged down less than threatening
rapids besides many others Of less descent The difference of
level between the two thousand feet
The Of the Jordan sweet within few hundred
yards Of its mouth The of the were devoid of
SMELL but bitter, SALT and Upon entering it, the
boats encountered by gale and cit seemed if the
bows dense the cater encounteng the sledge
hammers OF the Tans instead Of the opposing Of
angry sea-"
The party proceeded daily with their explorations making
Typographical sketches they went until they reached the
southern extremity Of the where the most wonderful sight
that they had yet awaited them.
'ln passing the mountain Of Uzdom (Sodom) unex-
Peciedy and much to our asonshmen says Lieut. Lynch
saw large, rounded shaped column, facing towards
southeast which proved to be Of solid rock salt capped with
carbonate Of ime Of capitalization Mr. Dale took
sketch Of IT, and DR.. Anderson and landed with much diff
Guilty and procured specimens from it"
The party circumnavgaed the lake, returned their place
Of departure and brought back their boats in complete
order they received them New York They were all in
fine health This is specimen Of the skill, system, and dis
cpne Of the American navy. No nation in the world has
such service The time is coming when it will give proofs
Of that fact palpable to the dull understanding.
Thanks the good management Of Lieut. Lynch the whole
Of this scientific exploration of the Dead Except of
COURSE the Of the equpage and maintenance of the
o. The shipl was but hundred dollars
From the letters Of Lieut. Lynch, quoted BY Lieut. MAuRr
tanscbe the following interesting facts elected by the
exploration
"The bottom Of the northern half Of this sea almost an
entire plain Is mediona lines short distance from the
shore vary depth The deepest soundngs thus
Iss fshOms, (,l2s eet Near the shore the bottom is
u
so mud with many rectangular cystaIs-mosty cubes-of
pure salt Az time stelwagers lead brought up nothing
bot crystals.
fhe southern half Of the sea is as shallow as the northern
one u Deep and Cor about oneouh Of its entire length the
depth does exceed three ,hom Us eet Its southern
bed has presented no crystals but the shores are lined with
ncruaions Of salt and when landed Uzdom, in the
space u hour footprints coated with cystaza
ton.
The opposite shores Of the peninsula and the west coast
present evident marks Of disruption.
!" There unquesionably birds and insects upon the
shores and ducks sometimes upon the sea, for have
thsmbui cannot detect any living thing within il al
though The salt flowing contain salt fish. feel
sure that the results II this survey will fully sustain the scrip
lutal account Of the cities Of the plain"
lie thus speaks Of IOrdsHi "Ths Jordan, although rapid
and impciuous graceful In il wndngs and nged with
Iunurancc while II. sweet, clear COOL and re-
fsshing."
Asr The survey o The sea, the party proceeded deter
nine the bright u mountains it, shores. and level
thence Va Iussaem the Mediterranean They found the
summit a The west bank Of the Dead sea moro than 1000
fe above surface. sBd very nearly on level with the
Medieuanean.
"h.s CURIOUS fac." aays Lieut. Mauy. that the dis
lsncs from he top the bottom tie Dead sea should mea-
sure ths height Of hanks the elevation Il tho Medrra-
man. and ma difference u level between the bottom o the
two sca and that he dcTh a the Dead Sea should tc also
On sr.c, multiple q t.e height Of Jerusalem shove H."
Anothd le,s singular i, IN The opinion q Lieut.
Lynch. -" IA, Ihs bottom q no Dead sea forms sub