Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-10-05
From the Richmond Republican.
The Dead Sea Expedition.

The September number of the Southern
Literary Messenger, contains an article of
profound interest on this subject, from the
pen of Lieut. M. +. Maury.
Lieutenant Maury gives history of this
expedition, brief but lucid, and which in
creases the anxiety of the public mind to
see the report of Lieut.. Maury, who has
made a successful survey, and who, we are
glad to learn, is expected to return soon to
this country.
We learn from Lieutenant Maury's arti-
Gle that this expedition was planned by Lieu
tenant Lynch, and authorized by Secretary
Mason. In the Spring of lS47, Lieuten-
ant Lynch first addressed the Secretary on
the subject, recommending a circumnaviga-
ton and exploration of the Dead Sea and
its entire coast-stating that the expense
would be trifling, as our ships frequently
touched at Acre, in Syria, forty miles from
Lake Tibcrius or Sea of Galilee, from which
the River Jordan runs and debouches into
the first named sea; that the frame of
boat with crew and provisions, could be
transported on camels from Acre to Tibe-
RUS, and there put together again. Only
one traveller, Mr.. Cortigan, had ever cir
cumnavigated the Dead Sea, and he had
died at the termination of his voyage, with
out leaving any journal or notes behind
1t was contended, also, that independent of
: the eager curiosity of all Christendom in
regard to this mysterious lake, this eXpedi-
ton is Of value to the interests of naviga-
ton
The Secretary of the Navy received ia
vorably the proposition of Lieut.. Lynch, and
an opportunity soon occurred by which it
could be conveniently carried into effect
1t was necessary to send store-ship to the
Mediterranean squadron, and as, after her
arrival, she would have no employment for
months, the Secretary determined to send
Lieut. Lynch and his party in her; so that
after meeting the wants of the squadron,
she could proceed up the Levant, and land
Lieut. Lynch and his companions This
was done. The store-ship Supply" was
, provided with two metallic boats, one of
copper, the other of iron; the former nam
ed Fanny Mason" and the latter "Fanny
Skinner" On their arrival at their desti-
, nation their troubles began, and in their
, march to Lake Tiberius their boats had to
be transported over the most formidable
, mountain gorges and heights, and to be
lowered down precipices with ropes. But
these difficulties were surmounted with true
t sailor skill and perseverance,, and on the
9Th of April the two Fannes, each with the
= American ensign flying, were alloat upon
the beautiful blue waters of the Sea of Gal
, lice. " Emblematic of its Master, it alone
f of all things around them remained the
t same Just as the Apostles saw it when
4 orr Saviour said to it, Peace be still i, this
e little band of rovers now beheld it."
a The navigation of the Jordan was found
to be most difficult and dangerous, from its
/ frequent and fearful rapids. Lieut. Lynch
e solves the secret of the depression between
$ Lake Tiberius and the Dead Sea by the
t tortuous course of the Jordan, which, in a
: distance of sixty miles, winds through a
e course of two hundred miles. Within this
y distance Lieutenant Lynch and his party
e plunged down no less than twenty-seven
S threatening rapids besides many others o.
: less descent. The difference of level be-
: tween the two seas is over thousand feet.
: The water of the Jordan was sweet to
e within few hundred yards of its mouth
S The waters of the sea were devoid of smell
t, but bitter, salt, and nauseous. Upon en-
d tering it, the boats were encountered by
gale, and sit seemed as if the bows, so denS,
| mas the wafer, were encountering the sledg,
e hammers of the Titans instead of the OPP
a posing waves of an angry sea-" The part.
e proceeded daily with their explorations
l. making Typographical sketches as they went
e until thy reached the southern extremity o
d the sea, where the most wonderful sigh
Is that they had yet seen awaited them.
"In passing the mountain of Uzdom
Y, (Sodom) we unexpectedly, and much to GU
% astonishment," says Lieut., Lynch, :" saw
Of large, rounded, turret-shaped column, ia
& cling towards southeast, which proved Il
be of solid rock salt, capped with carbon
RS ate of lime, one mass OF chrystaization,-
r. Mr. Dale took sketch of it, and DR.. An
le derson and | landed with much difficult
r and procured specimens from it." Tn
eff party crcumnavigated the lake, returned t.
a. their place of departure, and brought bacl
Ct their boats in as complete order as they re
ceived them at New York. They were al
d. in fine health. This is specimen of tn