Page 176 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

IX.J GULF OF ’AKABAH. 157

operations, at length predominated, and it
will remain, with their other surveys, a last­
ing proof that the taunt of indifference to the
acquisition of knowledge not available for
their own immediate purposes is not appli­
cable in this, if in any instance.
We now repassed the straits, and returned
to Kosa'ir, having been five weeks engaged
in this our second examination of the Sea of

’Akabah. As the Palinurus was the first, so
probably she may be the last vessel destined
to sail along its wild and rocky shores.
If, from causes that may readily occur, the
present communication between India and
Europe through Egypt should become inter­
cepted, packets and even passengers might
be conveyed by way of the Gulf of ’Akabah
through Arabia Petraea to the ports of the
Mediterranean. From ’Akabah to El Arish,
the ancient port of Rhinocolura, to which, as the
nearest point, the commodities of India were
formerly conveyed from Elath and deposited,
the road lies N. 31° W., and the direct distance
is one hundred and sixteen miles. From

’Akabah to Gaza, which is described as
having a tolerable harbour, the road lies N.