Page 172 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

IX.j GULF OF 'aKABAH. 153

rise between the mountains in a solid slope of
sand, to the height of two thousand feet. The
intermediate coast presents a steep wall, rising
in many places six thousand feet; the sur­
face is dark, veined with numerous traces of
torrents of a lighter colour, every where in­
tersecting it.

Nearly abreast of Magnah, is Mersd Da-
h&b, “ the Golden Port,’' where we remained
at anchor several days. Some geographers,
with much show of probability, seek to identify
it with Esiongeber; and it certainly is the
only well-sheltered harbour in the Sea. Its
peculiar formation adds additional strength
to the supposition ; for a semicircular belt of
coral nearly surrounds it, on which the lapse
of ages has deposited a thin layer of sand but
a few inches above the level of the water.
Might not this have been the ledge of rocks
on which Jehosaphat’s fleet* was wrecked,

* Jehosaphat and Abaziah fitted out a joint fleet at Esion­
geber, which consisted of ton sail, and was destined to visit Ophir
for gold; but on leaving port, it was wrecked on the ledge of
rocks from whence Esiongeber received its name.
This ridge of rocks was covered by the sea at high water : when
it was low, it appeared at intervals in a line, and gave the name
of Esiongeber, or “ back-bone.”—2 Kings, xxx. 36 and 37.