salmone Summary and Overview

a promontory on the east of Crete, under which Paul sailed on his voyage to Rome (Acts 27:7); the modern Cape Sidero.

(clothed), the east point of the island of Crete. #Ac 27:7| It is a bold promontory, and is visible for a long distance.

SALMO'NE (clothed), a promontory forming the eastern extremity of the island of Crete, and noticed in the account of Paul's voyage to Rome. Acts 27:7. It is a bold headland, visible at a considerable distance, and usually identified with Cape Sidero. One writer has suggested a promontory several miles south of this point, known to the natives as Plaka, and to sailors as Cape Salmone.

The eastern promontory of Crete. Paul's voyage (Acts 27:7), the wind was "contrary," therefore, we infer, blowing from the N.W. (Acts 27:4), so that they "sailed slowly." Their course was past the southern point of Greece, W. by Salmone. Then we read, when they "scarce were come over against Cnidus," they made cape Salmone which bears S.W. by Salmone from Cnidus. Assuming that the ship could have made good a course of less than seven points from the wind, we arrive at the conclusion that the wind must have been between N.N.W. and W.N.W. This undesigned coincidence remarkably confirms Luke's accuracy. frontSmith of Jordanhill's Voyage, etc., of Paul, 73-74; Conybeare and Howson's Life of Paul, 2:393.) The ship's direct course from Myra to Italy after reaching Cnidus lay N. of Crete. But the wind blowing W.N.W. (as often in the Archipelago in late summer) forced her to run under the lee of Crete in the direction of Salmone, which is the eastern point of the island. They with difficulty passed that point. From Myra to Cnidus they had been able to work up with N.W. winds, though slowly, because until they reached Cnidus they had the advantage of a weather shore, under the lee of which they had smooth water and a westerly current. But at Cnidus that advantage ceased; thence their only course was under the lee of Crete toward Salmone.