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• Μελίτη , Μελιτήνη

(Μελίτη; probably of Phoenician etymology, and signifying refuge, otherwise clay; but according to Hammeker, Miscell. Phoenic. p. 46, so named from its abundance of ash-trees), an island in the Mediterranean, on which the ship which was conveying the apostle Paul as a prisoner to Rome was wrecked, and which was the scene of the interesting circumistances recorded in Acts 27:28 (see J. Ab. Ciantari Diss. apol. de Paulo in Melitam naufragio ejecto, Ven. 1738).

I. Identification of the Locality. — Melita was the ancient name of Malta (see J. F. Wandalin, Diss. de Melita Pauli, Havn. 1707), and also of a small island in the Adriatic, now called Meleda (Μελιτίνη νῆσος, Ptol. 2:17, 39; comp. Pliny, 3:30; Apollon. Rhod. 4:572), and each of these has found warm advocates for its identification with the Melita of Scripture (see Ciantar's edition of Abela's Malta Illustrata, 1:608), the former being the traditionary and long-established opinion (see Ign. Giorgi, Paulus in mari quod nunc Venetus sinus dicitur, naeafragus,Ven. 1730; Jac. de Rhoer, De Pauli ad insul. Melit. naufragio, Traj. ad R. 1743; comp. Bibl. Ital. 11:127; Nov. Miscell. Lips. 4:308; Paulus, Samml. 4:356), liable only to the objection that the part of the Mediterranean in which it is situated was not properly "the Sea of Adria" (Dr. Falconer's Dissertation on St. Paul's Voyage, 1817), which has been shown (see Wetstein's Comment. ad loc.) to be without force (see J. Smith, Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul, Lond. 1848; also Conybeare and Howson's Life of St. Paul, 2:353). As, however, the controversy on this subject has been somewhat voluminous, we will discuss it in detail, referring to other articles for confirmation of the opinions and conclusions here expressed.

1. Arguments in Favor of Malta. —

(1.) We take St. Paul's ship in the condition in which we find her about a day after leaving Fair Havens, i.e. when she was under the lee of Clauda (Acts 27:16). laid to on the starboard tack, and strengthened with "undergirders" (See SHIP), the boat being just taken on board, and the gale blowing hard from the east-north-east. (See EUROCLYDON).

(2.) Assuming (what every practiced sailor would allow) that the ship's direction of drift would be about west by north, and her rate of drift about a mile and a half an hour, we come at once to the conclusion, by measuring the distance on the chart, that she would be brought to the coast of Malta on the thirteenth day (see Acts 27:27).

(3.) A ship drifting in this direction to the place traditionally known as St. Paul's Bay, would come to that spot on the coast without touching any other part of the island previously. The coast, in fact, trends from this bay to the south-east. This may be seen on consulting any map or chart of Malta.

(4.) On Koura Point, which is the south-easterly extremity of the bay, there must infallibly have been breakers, with the wind blowing from the north- east. Now the alarm was certainly caused by breakers, for it took place in the night (Acts 27:27), and it does not appear that the passengers were at first aware of the danger which became sensible to the quick ear of the "sailors."

(5.) Yet the vessel did not strike; and this corresponds with the position of the point, which would be some little' distance on the port side, or to the left of the vessel.

(6.) Off this point of the coast the soundings are twenty fathoms (Acts 27:28), and a little farther, in the direction of the supposed drift, they are fifteen fathoms (Acts 27:28).

(7.) Though the danger was imminent, we shall find from examining the chart that there would still be time to anchor (Acts 27:29) before striking on the rocks ahead.

(8.) With bad holding-ground there would have been great risk of the ship dragging her anchors. But the bottom of St. Paul's Bay is remarkably tenacious. In Purdy's Sailing Directions (p. 180) it is said of it that "while the cables hold there is no danger, as the anchors will never start."

(9.) The other geological characteristics of the place are in harmony with the narrative, which describes the creek as having in one place a sandy or muddy beach (κόλπον ἔχοντα αἰγιαλόν, Acts 27:39), and which states that the bow of the ship was held fast in the shore, while the stern was exposed to the action of the waves (Acts 27:41). For particulars we must refer to the work (mentioned below) of Mr. Smith, an accomplished geologist.

(10.) Another point of local detail is of considerable interest-viz. that, as the ship took the ground, the place was observed to be διθάλασσος, i.e. a connection was noticed between two apparently separate pieces of water. We shall see, on looking at the chart, that this would be the case. The small island of Salmonetta would at first appear to be a part of Malta itself; but the passage would open on the right as the vessel passed to the place of shipwreck.

(11.) Malta is in the track of ships between Alexandria and Puteoli; and this corresponds with the fact that the "Castor and Pollux," an Alexandrian vessel which ultimately conveyed St. Paul to, Italy, had wintered in the island (Acts 28:11).

(12.) Finally, the course pursued in this conclusion of the voyage, first to Syracuse and then to Rhegium, contributes a last link to the chain of arguments by which we prove that Melita is Malta.

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