Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1917-03-17
THE STRAIT OF MESSlhA.
And the Ancient Legends of scyils and
CharH bdls.


Chsrybds.
The Sicilian and Italian banks which
border the strait Of Messina FOR nearly
twenty miles 10 the east and vest
are among the most luXuriaht 10 be
found ia cruise Of the Mediterranean.
Magnificent golden groves OF lemon
and orange aud orchards of pomegran-
ate. with their brilliant red fruit. con
trast wonderfully with the flowers OF
the almond trees which perfume the
whole region.
The strait IL entered from the Tyrrhe
nian sea- on the north, at the narrow
est point, the distance between Funta
del Faro, on the Sicilian shore. and the
mainland lighthouse on runta PeZZ0
being not more than two miles. Tie
whole OF the Calablian coast Is thlcHy
sown with villages, some clinging to
the beach, while others Chamber up the
sides Of well wooded hills which cul-
inmate ia the towering Montalto, ris-
Ing to an elevation OF more than IA mile
above the sea. Beyond the strait to
the southwest looms ever threatening
Etna, the highest volcano In Europe.
The most important city situated on
the strait Is the once magnificent sea
port of Messlna. which boosted popu-
lation OF 10000 inhabitants before
the worlds most cruel earthquake OF
Dec. % 1908, tossed nearly 100000
lives away.
The harbor OF Messina is the largest
aud safest in the kingdom OF Italy,
with depth of more than thirty faith
oms. Before the great calamity 1t was
visited annually by more than 5000
vessels, which brought cargOes OF
wheat cotton. wool and hardware and
took away In exchange lemons, or
anges, almonds, wines. olive oil and
silks Much or It's commerce WAS and
still is carried on with the mainland OF
the kingdom by means of "a ferry line
To villa san Giovanni, only four and
half miles away. while Reggie. the
chief seaport Oh the Italian side OF the
strait and also the chief earthquake
sufferer next to Messna Is ten miles
to the southeast. Ferry boats ply be-
tween these points too Scllla, Fare,
Catona, Peilaro. Scallita and Galai are
minor towns ON the shores of he strait.
Homer did not accord definite habi-
tation for his terrible sea creatures,
| Scylla and CharybdIs, but mariners ia
millar with the perils OF the rocks on
/ the Italian side Of the strait aud with
/ the strong eddles near the harbor or
! Messlna saw In the mythical monsters
an explanation of such dangers Scylla
was supposed TO be a horrible creature
| with six heads aud dozen feet. who
| barked like dog. She dWelt in
/ lofty cave. from which she rushed
whenever Il ship tried to pass beneath,
and she would snatch the unlucky sea-
men from the rigging or as they stood
at the hei:a endeayOring 10 guide their
/ vessels through the periious pasSag sc.
| Charybdis dwelt under rock only
/ howshot away. on the opposite shore
The second creature sucked in and
blew out sea water three times day,
and woe To the ship caught in The
maeIstrom Of It's mouth!
Poets who came after the great
! RFfffk btTU fulNfbiueitti the ltAtlH Ia
suit their fancy. ovid, for example,
described Scyla as the beautiful
/ daughter OF II sea god who incurred
tho jealousy OF one OF the immortaIs
and who was changed into sea mon
ster. A second transformation made
! her rock perilous 10 naylgatorS. Some
/ poets described Charybdis Us an old
woman who seized and devoured the
cattle Of Hercules and IN punishment
/ for this act the demigod's father. all
/ powerful ZeuS. east her into the sea,
/ where her appetite persisted, but her
tastes changed from cattle to ships ana
seamen National Geographic Society
/ Bulletin.