Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-09-20
Nj is E l. l. A N Y.
FROM the BALTIMORE AMERICAN.
THE DEAD SEA EXPEDITION.

~ Messenger contains an article of profound inter
est on this subject, from the pen Of Lieut.. Nj. f.
Maury-the leading features Of which are present
ed in condensed form in the Richmond Republi-
can.
Lieut.. Maury gives history Of this expedition
brief and lucid, and which will increase the ankle
ty of the public 10 the report of Lieut.. Lynch
who has made successful survey, and who we
are glad to learn, is expected TO return this
country.
We learn from Lieut.. Maury's article that this
expedition was planned by Lieut.. Lynch, and au-
thUrised by Secretary Mason, both Virginians In
the Spring Of lS47, Lieut.. Lynch first addressed
the Secretary on the subject, recommending cir
cumnavigaion and exploration of the Dead Sea,
and It's entire coast stating that the expense would
be trifling. as ships frequently touched at Acre
in Syria, forty miles from Lake Tiberas or Sea of
Gaiee, from which the river Jordan runs and de-
bouches into the first named sea that the frame of
boat with crew and provisions could be transport
ed on camels from Acre TO Tiberias and there put
together again. Only one traveller, Mr.. Consti-
gan, had ever clrcumnavgated the Dead Sea, and
he died at the termination of his voyage, without
leaving any journal or notes behind 1t is contend
ed also that Independent; of the eager curiosity of
all Christendom in regard TO this mysterious lake,
this expedition was of value 10 the interests of
igation.
The Secretary of the Navy received favorably
the proposition of Lieut. Lynch, and opportuni-
~ soon occurred, by which it could be convenient
ly carried into effect. 1t was necessary to send
store ship 10 the Mediterranean Squadron and, as
after her arrival she would have no employment for
months, tho Secretary determined to send Lieut..
Lynch aud his party in her, that. after meeting
The wants of the Squadron, she could proceed up the
Levant, and land Lieut. Lynch and his com panions
This was done. The store ship, the "SuppIy, :"
was supplied with two metallic boats, one of cop
per, the other of iron-the former named '.Fanny
Mason" and the latter .Fanny Skinner
On their arrival their their hi
| began, and in their march TO Lake Tberias their
boats had TO be transported over the most formula
BILE mountain gorges and heights, and to be lower.
cd down precipices with ropes. But these difficult
ties We're surmounted with true sailor skill and
perseverance, and the 9Th of April the two Fan
MES, each with the American ensign flying were
af1uat upon the beautiful blue waters of the sea of
GalIlee. "Emblematic of its Master, it alone of
all things around them, remained the same. Just
as the Apostles saw it when Saviour said to it,
Peace, be STILL this little band Of rovers now be-
held it,"
| The navigation of the Jordan was found TO be
most difficult and dangerous, from its frequent and
! fearful rapids. Lieut.. Lynch solves the secret of
the depression between Lake Iiberias and the
Dead Sea, by the tortuous course of the Jordan,
which, IN a distance of sixty miles, winds through
a course of two hundred miles, Within this dis
lance Lieut.. Lynch and his party plunged down no
less than twenty threatening rapids, besides
many Others of less descent. The difference of
level between the two seas is thousand feet.
The water of the Jordan sweet to within few
hundred yards of lis mouth. The waters of the sea
were devoid Of smell, but bitter salt and nauseous
Upon entering it, the boats encountered by a
gale, and sit seemed as if the bows, dense ,raS
The icoter, were encountering the sledge hammers
of the Iitans, instead of the opposing waves of an
angry sea-"
The party proceeded daily with their explora-
lions, making typographical sketches as they went
until they reached the southern extremity of the
sea, where the most wonderful sight tina. they had
yet seen awaited them.
"1n passing the mountain of Uzdom (Sodon) we
unexpectedly and much to our establishment" says
Lieut.. Lynch, ''saw large, rounded turret SHAPED
column, facing towards S. F., which proved to be
of solid rock salt. capped with carbonate of lime
one mass of chrystalization Mr.. Dale took a
sketch Of it, and DR.. Anderson and | landed with
much difficulty and procured specimens fromit."
The party circumnavigated the lake, returned tc
their place OF departure, and brought back the;I
boats in as complete order they received them a,
New York. They all in fine health. This
is specimen of the skill. system and discipline Of
the American Navy. No nation in the world has
such a service. The time is coming. when it will
give proofs of that fact palpabe to the most dull
understanding.
; Thanks TO the good management of 1t Lynch
the whole cost of this scientific exploration of the
Dead Sea was but seven hundred dollars.
From the letters of Lieut. Lynch, quoted by 1t
N1aury, transcrIbe The following interesting fact:
elected by the exploration:
The bottom of the Northern half of this sea i,
almost entire plain. lis meTdienal lines at
short distance from the shore scarce vary in depth
The deepest soundings thus far 1873 faiboms
Nl20 feet) Near the Shore the bottom is gener
ally an incrusaton of SALT but the intermediate on,
is soft mud with many rectangular chrystals-most
~ cubes-Of pure salt. At one lime Stelwayer'
lead brought up nothing but CRYSTALS
up horn hall ,ft no ;e halle
the Northern is deep, and for one fourth of il
entire length the depth does not exceed three ia
ihorns, (lS feet) Its Southern bed has presente
no Crystals but the shores lined with incrusa
r lions of salt, and when we landed at Uzdom in In
3, space OF an hour our foot prints were coated viii
] chrystalization.
] 1.-The opposite shores of the peninsula and III
west coast present evident marks Of disruption.
There are unquesticnably birds and insects Ut
: on The shores, and ducks sometimes upon tn
sea, tor we have seen them--but cannot detect an
living thing within it, although the salt stream
flowing into il contain salt fish. ] feel sure tn;
the results of this survey will filly sustain III
scriptural account of the cities Of the plain"
J., lie thus speaks Of the Jordan "The Jorda
e although rapid and impcuous is graceful in its wnC
lngs, and fringed with luxuriance, while its waite
are sweet, clear, cool and refreshing"
After the survey of the sea, the party proceedt
TO determine the height Of mountains on its shore
and 10 run level thence via Jerusalem To the Me-
a itcrTaDean. They found the summit Of the We
d bank of the Dead Sea more than 900 feet abo,
l. IFS surface, and very nearly level with Il
II Mediterranean
'It is a curious fact" says Lieut.. Maurv, ''th
the distance from the top 10 the bottom Of ihe De;
Sea, should measure the height Of its banks. the
.; ovation the Mediterranean. and the difference
)" level between the bottom Of the two seas and III
, the depth of the Dead Sea should also be an exa
- Jnulfiplp IF bnieyhf of ai,ovo