Dict: smith - SYRTIS, THE

smith:

SYRTIS, THE - S>@ - kjv@Acts:27:17) in the Revised Version in place of "quicksands" in the Authorized Version. It was the well-known Syrtis Major , the terror of all Mediterranean sailors. "It is a dangerous shallow on the coast of Africa, between Tripoli and Barca, southwest of the island of Crete." The other Syrtis Syrtis Minor , was too far west to be feared by Paul’s fellow voyagers.
ED.