Page 184 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

IX.] GULF OF ’AKABAH. 105

which Irwin has assigned to those islands with
respect to the coast-line is most erroneous.

Their true situation, now clearly ascertained,
proves that they could afford little shelter to
Mowilahh ; nor has that station, as will be
hereafter pointed out, any harbour or pro­
tection from the tempestuous northerly winds
that prevail here with intermissions through­
out the year.
The channel adopted by the ancients for
conveying the merchandise of India, Africa,
and the southern parts of Arabia, to Jerusa­

lem, was by the ports of Elath and Esionge-
ber, situated near the head of the Elanitic
Gulf. But, as the navigation of this arm of
the sea, which, even at the present day, is
considered perilous, must then have pre­
sented insurmountable difficulties, it is known
that a port was fixed upon near the entrance,
but outside the gulf, where vessels coming
from the south discharged their cargoes, and
from which depot they transported their mer­
chandise by land to Elath and Esiongeber.

Thus the tedious passage up the gulf was
avoided. It may be observed that the same
motive for shortening a long and dangerous