Christopher Costigan facts for kids

Christopher Costigan (born May 12, 1810 – died August 26, 1835) was an Irish priest. He is remembered for being one of the first modern European explorers of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea.

Costigan became very interested in the geography of the Holy Land while he was studying to become a priest in Ireland. Even though he had no special training in sailing or exploring, he decided to travel to the Middle East.

Costigan's Journey to the Holy Land

In August 1835, Christopher Costigan arrived in Beirut. He bought a small boat and hired a sailor from Malta to help him. His plan was to explore the famous Jordan River and the Dead Sea.

Sailing the Jordan River

Costigan transported his boat by sea to Acre. From there, he moved it overland to Tiberias, which is on the Sea of Galilee. His goal was to sail his boat all the way down the Jordan River to the Dead Sea.

However, his timing was not ideal. August is a very dry month, and the Jordan River often has low water levels, making it hard to navigate. Costigan and his sailor often had to carry their boat over land (this is called portaging) because the river was too shallow or blocked. After eight days, his sailor decided he couldn't go on. Costigan had to give up his plan to sail the entire length of the Jordan River.

Reaching the Dead Sea

Instead of sailing, Costigan traveled the rest of the way to the Dead Sea by land. This part of the journey was very difficult. He ran out of fresh water and arrived at the Dead Sea feeling very weak.

Exploring the Dead Sea's Depths

Once he reached the Dead Sea, Costigan made a big mistake. Because he was so thirsty, he drank water from the sea. The Dead Sea is extremely salty, and drinking its water made him even more dehydrated and gave him a fever.

Despite feeling ill, he spent several days sailing across the Dead Sea. He took many measurements of the water's depth, which are called depth soundings. This helped map out the sea's bottom.

Costigan's Final Days

Eventually, Costigan became too sick to continue his exploration. His sailor took him to a nearby monastery for help. From there, he was sent by donkey towards Jerusalem to get medical care. Sadly, Christopher Costigan died on the way to Jerusalem. He was buried on Mount Zion.

Costigan's Legacy

Christopher Costigan is remembered today as the first modern European explorer to seriously investigate the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. His efforts helped others learn more about these unique places. To honor him, the northernmost tip of the Lisan Peninsula in the Dead Sea is named Cape Costigan.