"الطرق في بلاد فارس" [‎٥‎٦] (٨٥٢/٨٩)

56
ROUTE No. 16.
From FAO to BASRAH.
00 J miles, 4 stages.
Anthorities.—liimtand.nt A. T. Wilson, 1912.
J. Stagno-Navarra, August, 1912.
Persian Gulf Gazetteer, 1903.
Epitome,
General Description. —A track regularly used by local in
habitants on their way to and from Basrah, on foot or on' horse
back, but not for the transport of merchandise, for which purpose
the river route is always employed. From Fao telegraph office to
Ma amarah, at mile 6, there are difficulties, though not serious,
for wheeled transport, and a rough road would have to be made
to give it access to the desert. But for this the road is fit for
wheels the whole way, except after wet weather, when for as
much as a month at a time it becomes too soft to move carts
over it. It may be said to follow the telegraph line closely
and to keep within two miles of the river, and within a few
hundred yards of the date groves, all fhe way. It is excellent
going in dry weather throughout its whole length. From
near the fort at Fao, to Ma'amarah, a new dam has been made
to keep out the salt water. Horses can go along the top of this
embankment, but wheeled transport would have to keep to the
west side of it on desert soil, and this is generally bad going for
wheels, as it is at this point a salt mud flat which never dries,
and is flooded at high tides. This condition, however, ceases
above Shaikh Naghaimish's village in Ma'amarah, 7 miles up
stream from Fao telegraph office. At Durah, stage 1, and Saihan,
stage 3, the date groves narrow down to a few yards, or are non
existent. Tne river is deep to at both place •, and ships with
supplies can be bi ought clobe m to tuc bank.