I
PAUL'S VOYAGE TO ROME.
When Paul appealed to Caesar it became necessary to send him to Rome. It happened that a convoy of prisoners under the charge of a captain of the Augustan cohort and a detachment of soldiers was being despatched to the capital, and Paul was sent under the captain's charge. No ship was found sailing directly from Caesarea to Rome, so a coaster was taken which went as far as Myra, touching at Sidon. At Myra was found one of the great imperial grain ships bound for Italy.
The winds were contrary and the ship was constantly driven off her course, and at last put into the roadstead of Fair Havens on the south coast of the island of Crete. So much time had been consumed that the season was now late and navigation dangerous. A council was held at which Paul, an experienced sailor, advised wintering where they were. But the demand for grain was always urgent in Rome, and the grain ships were always rushed on as fast as possible. The centurion decided to take the chances and proceed, at least as far as Phoenix, which was nearer Italy and a better harbor. On a bright day with a fair south wind they weighed anchor and sailed west, going close inshore and barely weathering Cape Matala.
THE SHIP ON WHICH PAUL SAILED FOR ROME JUST BEFORE THE WRECK.
This very interesting picture is taken from an old book, now long out of print, "The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul," by James Smith. Owned by Miss Mary Medlicott, reference librarian of the Springfield Public Library, and used by her kind permission.
The picture was carefully drawn to show the exact position of the ship, and is without doubt very accurate. The ship itself was drawn from ancient models. Four anchors are out at the stern, the two huge rudders are raised to escape the smashing of the heavy seas, and the ropes which undergirded the vessel to prevent leaking are shown. The sailors have just raised the small foresail preparatory to beaching the ship. A heavy sea is running and the clouds are dark with rain. The rocky coast is shown near by.
