capable of containing a man-of-war b r ig ; though several anchorages
will be found along the coast, well sheltered with particular winds.
Tripoly itself is a secure harbour, and has from four to six
fathoms water in i t : the protection is afforded by a chain of rocks
which project from the north-east angle of the town, and by a shoal
lying off Caluisa Point. A heavy swell sometimes rolls in from
the northward, between the reefs, to which quarter ships should
moor with open hawse. On entering the harbour care, must be
taken to avoid a rocky patch, with only three to three and a half
fathoms water upon it, which lies nearly mid-channel. But we shall
abstain from entering into further detail, in consequence of this
place having been surveyed b y Captain W. H. Smyth, from whose
plan indeed, partly, we are now enabled to offer these few remarks.
When off the port a pilot may always be procured on making the
necessary signal.
At Tripoly vessels will find fresh provision, fruit, vegetables, and
water.
All vessels from the eastern ports of the Mediterranean must land
their cargoes a t th e Lazzaretto, and perform a stated quarantine.
About seven miles eastward of Tri poly is Tagiura point, which
m a y b e known by the clusters of date-trees around the village of
Tagiura, terminating there. From Tagiura to Cape Sciarra there
is a sandy desert, traversed by two small streams, Wadey Rammel
and Wadey M’Seidi, which give a supply of water throughout the
year. Eastward of Cape Sciarra the coast gets higher, and is
formed in rocky points and capes, with sandy b ay s between them.
The mountains, which are a continuation of the Tarhoona range,
here approach the sea within seven or eight m ile s; and a little beyond
Sidi Abdellati, throw off a branch a t right angles to them, which
extends to the sea, and then continuing eastward, nearly parallel to
the coast, terminates a few miles south-west ofvMesurata*.
There are several towers upon the summits of this range, of which
* We had no opportunity of ascertaining the height of this range.
APPENDIX. V
the most conspicuous is Mergip. These mountains form the
western limit to the great plain of Lebda, (the ancient Leptis Magna.)
The rums of the ancient city stand close upon the beach: they áre
more than half buried in sand, and are situated about three miles
west of the groves' of date-trees, which' are easily distinguished from
the sea. The port, or cothon of L ebda, is now filled up, but therè
is a small place called Mersa Ligátáh, a mile and a half to the westward
of the ruins, where small vessels may find shelter, except with
the wind from the eastward, t The se a here affords good fish ; and
the shore is stocked with sheep, fruit, vègetables, and com, which
with the help of a chaous, may b e obtained at a cheaper raté than at
Tripoly.'■
Seven miles south-east from the ruins of Lebda, is Tabia Point,
a rocky headland, about forty feet high, with some rocks at the foot
of it. Ne a r it, there will b e found indifferent protection for. boats
behind some rocks, that form Mersa Ugrah ; b u t these rocks are
sometimes covered.
Immediately round Tabia point, the coast forms a bay as far as
Zeliten Point : this is a rocky projection with several sunken rocks
lying off it. Near the point there is a small cove, which has
obtained the name of Mersa Zeliten, b u t it is too small for even
boats to remain in blowing weather. I t lies a mile and a half to the
westward of a márábüt’s tomb, which will be seen upon the beach
supported upon small marble columns.
At Zeliten, sheep, fowls, butter, oil, fruit, vegetables, corn, and
sweet water, may be procured in abundance, and very reasonably.
The town is a short walk from the Mersa, over a ridge of sand-hills,
which extend along the coast towards Mesurata.
Eastward of Zeliten, the coast is rocky, and a t times rises into
cliffs. About mid-way between Cape Mesurata and Zeliten Point,
there is a small Arab village, that may be distinguished by a cluster
of date-trees, a t the foot of some high sand-hills. : : Several reefs of
rocks lie off here, and form Mersa Zoraig, and Mersa Gusser*.
* Neither of these afford shelter for shipping.
Leb la.
Tabia Point.
' Mersa, and
Point Zeliten.