DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.27910#0069
THE NORTHERN SHORE OF THE DEAD SEA.
ERHAPS there is not a spot upon earth which is popularly invested with more ill-defined
and mysterious interest than the Dead Sea; and although a practical acquaintance with its
peculiarities may dispel some of the unsubstantial images which are supposed to haunt its shores,
or float over its surface, there will yet remain enough of strangeness, and loneliness, and
unaccountability, to entitle it to class as one of the most remarkable natural objects upon the face of
the globe.
ill
\}yf^ I believe that many persons are under the impression that this sea did not exist previous to the overthrow
\ ) of the “ cities of the plain.” This, however, is not the case; for although it is not mentioned at all in
the New Testament, we find it alluded to as early as Gen. xiv. 3, where it is called “The Salt Sea;”
and again in Deut. iv. 49, “The Sea of the Plain,” or the Arabah; and in Joel ii. 20, “The Eastern Sea.”
It is now called by the Arabs “ The Bahr-el-Lut,” or the Sea of Lot. It is probable that at the time of
the destruction of Sodom, this sea overflowed its southern boundaries, overwhelming a beautiful and well-watered
plain, upon which stood the five doomed cities. In the year 1848, Lieutenant Lynch, an officer in the United States
service, sailed over this sea in all directions, and made many interesting observations. He found the greatest
depth to be 1308 feet, and its depression below the level of the Mediterranean 1316 feet,—I believe, without doubt,
the lowest part of the surface of our globe. Many conjectures have been hazarded to account for this extraordinary
depression; the fact, however, accounts for several of the phenomena which distinguish the Dead Sea, such as
the great heat and consequent evaporation from its surface, sufficient, it would appear, to carry off the large flood of
water which the River Jordan, and other streams in the south, constantly pour into it;—for the sea has now
no outlet. When I was there, in the month of May, the thermometer rose to 130° Fahr. in the sun.
There are no indications of volcanic agency in the northern districts of the Dead Sea, but towards the south
such indications are observable in the displacement of strata, as well as in the presence of sundry volcanic agents.
I possess large specimens of native sulphur from its shores; but the most remarkable feature is the existence
of an immense mass of fossil or rock salt, which is now considered to be a frequent accompaniment of volcanic
action. In the present instance a mountain of this substance, 100 to 150 feet high, and 5 or 6 miles
long, extends along the south-west shore of the lake, and is called by the Arabs “ Usdam.” The Dead Sea is, on
an average, 38 miles long and 9 broad. Dr. Robinson gives the following analysis of the water, taken from
a depth of 185 fathoms, or 1110 feet. The analysis is by Professor Booth of Philadelphia:—
Specific gravity at 60°
Chloride of magnesium,
Chloride of calcium,
Chloride of sodium,
Chloride of potassium,
Bromide of potassium,
Sulphate of lime, .
Water,
. 1-22742
145-8971
31-0746
78-5537
6-5860
1-3741
0-7012
264-1867
735-8133
1000-0000
So that the various salts constitute rather more than one-fourth of the entire specific gravity of the water.
Its buoyancy is proverbial. It is probable that, from its extreme saltness, neither animal nor vegetable life can
exist in it; but it is beautifully bright, and has no offensive smell. I saw gazelles almost upon its shores,
and the footprints of a very large hyena close to the water’s edge.
ERHAPS there is not a spot upon earth which is popularly invested with more ill-defined
and mysterious interest than the Dead Sea; and although a practical acquaintance with its
peculiarities may dispel some of the unsubstantial images which are supposed to haunt its shores,
or float over its surface, there will yet remain enough of strangeness, and loneliness, and
unaccountability, to entitle it to class as one of the most remarkable natural objects upon the face of
the globe.
ill
\}yf^ I believe that many persons are under the impression that this sea did not exist previous to the overthrow
\ ) of the “ cities of the plain.” This, however, is not the case; for although it is not mentioned at all in
the New Testament, we find it alluded to as early as Gen. xiv. 3, where it is called “The Salt Sea;”
and again in Deut. iv. 49, “The Sea of the Plain,” or the Arabah; and in Joel ii. 20, “The Eastern Sea.”
It is now called by the Arabs “ The Bahr-el-Lut,” or the Sea of Lot. It is probable that at the time of
the destruction of Sodom, this sea overflowed its southern boundaries, overwhelming a beautiful and well-watered
plain, upon which stood the five doomed cities. In the year 1848, Lieutenant Lynch, an officer in the United States
service, sailed over this sea in all directions, and made many interesting observations. He found the greatest
depth to be 1308 feet, and its depression below the level of the Mediterranean 1316 feet,—I believe, without doubt,
the lowest part of the surface of our globe. Many conjectures have been hazarded to account for this extraordinary
depression; the fact, however, accounts for several of the phenomena which distinguish the Dead Sea, such as
the great heat and consequent evaporation from its surface, sufficient, it would appear, to carry off the large flood of
water which the River Jordan, and other streams in the south, constantly pour into it;—for the sea has now
no outlet. When I was there, in the month of May, the thermometer rose to 130° Fahr. in the sun.
There are no indications of volcanic agency in the northern districts of the Dead Sea, but towards the south
such indications are observable in the displacement of strata, as well as in the presence of sundry volcanic agents.
I possess large specimens of native sulphur from its shores; but the most remarkable feature is the existence
of an immense mass of fossil or rock salt, which is now considered to be a frequent accompaniment of volcanic
action. In the present instance a mountain of this substance, 100 to 150 feet high, and 5 or 6 miles
long, extends along the south-west shore of the lake, and is called by the Arabs “ Usdam.” The Dead Sea is, on
an average, 38 miles long and 9 broad. Dr. Robinson gives the following analysis of the water, taken from
a depth of 185 fathoms, or 1110 feet. The analysis is by Professor Booth of Philadelphia:—
Specific gravity at 60°
Chloride of magnesium,
Chloride of calcium,
Chloride of sodium,
Chloride of potassium,
Bromide of potassium,
Sulphate of lime, .
Water,
. 1-22742
145-8971
31-0746
78-5537
6-5860
1-3741
0-7012
264-1867
735-8133
1000-0000
So that the various salts constitute rather more than one-fourth of the entire specific gravity of the water.
Its buoyancy is proverbial. It is probable that, from its extreme saltness, neither animal nor vegetable life can
exist in it; but it is beautifully bright, and has no offensive smell. I saw gazelles almost upon its shores,
and the footprints of a very large hyena close to the water’s edge.