Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1848-09-02
SURVEY OF THE JORDAN AND DEAD SEA,

SURVEY OF THE JORDAN AND DEAD SEA,
ByHe late Lieut. Molynetr, Of H. NJ, Ship Spartan
On the Goth of August last, Lieut.. Molyneux land
ed Acre, taking with him three volunteer Seamcn
and interpreter; and having hired camSls, horses
and attendants, he started early in the following
morning with the ships dmgcy, route To Iibrras
For the first two hours the road was excellent. On
nearing the village of Abilin its character altered;
the country became billy, and some awkward passes
encountered The village of F0ran vas reach
ed the night after ten consecutive hours OF ira
yelling. Ga the following day the party arrived al
Tiberas, where they cncamprd outside the walls OF
the town. and near the edge OF the lake. immense
herds of camrs were seen feeding IN different dircc
tons From the hills overlooking ribcriaS the pros
pcct magniccnt:- Shcikh, smothcred in
clouds, distinctly to the left bearing n. N.
E.; in front the blue waters Of IlbcrIas, sur
rounded by fine ranges OF hills; and to the left Die
bel Shcil<h the white ruins OF Safvd. On the 23d
they embarked on the lake, which is described as
being of greater sz,' than is generally laid down.
from Tbcras TO the eastern shore not less than eight
or nine miles, and from the entrance OF the Jordan
the north TO its exit on the south end, eighteen
miles; the latitude of the northern extremity OF the
lake is 81 deg ~ min. see, about g. miles TO the
south of the point usually marked. The Jordan Is
described shallow and crossed by numerous wcirs,
which greatly INSTRUCTED the passage Of the boat. In
many places it might have been crossed by stepping
from stone TO stone without wctting the shoes; its
waters muddy and full of fish; its course tortu-
Gus in the extreme, and waterfalls were found.
Great reluctance manifested by the natives to-
wards the purposed descent Of the river, and every
possible obstacle thrown in the way. The ShcIkhs
demanded in some cxOrbtant sums for permits
sion pass through their provinces; aud alterations
annoying and inccssant, were generally terminated
by display of fire arms, and the threat TO shoot
them unless they allowed the party to proceed. On
the Sd of September, Lieut.. Moyneux embarked on
the Dead Sea. The breeze gradually freshened TIL
there quite enough for the dingey; steering
about south by west large patches of white frothy
foam were several times passed; and as the sea got
up there was heard most unusual noise, something
hr.,n rsnl, nd A y Nj he L.
dering they must be approaching the south end OF
the sea, they hauled TO the wind and stood over to-
wards the western mountains; and at daylight were
about five miles from the peninsula.
From Rashc Feshkah TO the north, nearly down
to the peninsula TO the south, the mountains on the
western side rise, almost like perpendicular wall,
10 height of 200 or 800 feet. The peninsula is
connected with the main land by a low neck, so that
at distance il would be considered an island. Hav-
ing arrived at what thought TO be the deepest
water, soundings obtained at 220 tathoms; the
arming of the lead clear with some pieces OF
rock salt attached it, Two other casts OF the lead
were taken different times; gave u.s. the Sc
cond lS3 fathoms, with blush mud or clay. The
water throughout the Dead Sea is OF dirty, sandy
color, resembling that OF the Jordan; IT is extremely
destructive TO everything that comes IN contact WIN
it. particularly metals, and produces 4 very unplca
SAINT, greasy feel when allowed TO remain on The
skim il has also a very obnoxious SMELL At noon OF
the 9Th they returned to the tent whence they EN-
barkcd thoroughly done up and thankful for having
escaped. Everything and body IN the boat was COW
cred with a nasty shiny substance from the water;
iron vas corroded and looked if covered with coal
tar A broad strip of white foam running nearly
north and south throughout the whole length OF the
sea was observed, not commencing where the jordan
cmptcs itself, but miles TO the westward; IT
appeared be constantly bubbing and in motion, and
over this on both nights, white line OF cloud
far above the surface. Having discmbarked, the din
gey was secured upon the backs of two camels, and
the party proceeded Jerusalem, within the walls
of which town entered the boat of British ship Of
war.-Lieut. Molyncux returned BY way OF Jafa;
and died shortly after his return to the shp-Lond
duienRum.