"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية. الحملة في بلاد الرافدين ١٩١٤-١٩١٨. مجلد I" [و‎‎١‎٨‎٤] (٤٥٤/٣٧٢)

RIVER CRAFT
341
river steamers, and he pointed out that the seven “ p ”
steamers (sent to comply with General Barrett’s demand)
would during the period of low water be confined to certain
reaches of the river, whereas, on the other hand, the length
of our communications tended to increase. The “ P ”
steamers were, in fact, not well suited to the Tigris at any
time, and although the six tugs asked for in May would be
useful for towing barges, they would never, he said, be as
convenient for troop movements as the river steamers.
A detailed specification for the nine steamers asked for and
a statement showing the available river craft in Mesopotamia
were attached.
The supplementary letter of the 17th July asked for more
craft, bringing General Nixon’s total demand to six paddle
steamers, three stern-wheelers, eight tugs (including six* asked
for in May), forty-three barges and six launches.
The construction of the launches was at once put in hand in
India, but the Viceroy telegraphed to the India Office on the
3rd August asking them to arrange in England for the con
struction of the remainder, saying that the specifications would
follow by letter. This letter, which forwarded the whole of
General Nixon’s communications on the subject, and which
recommended strongly the acceptance of his proposal, was
despatched from India on the 5th August. On the 26th August
the Viceroy again telegraphed to the India Office giving General
Nixon’s order of priority for the construction of these craft,
but adding that, in view of the urgency of the case, he con
sidered that the vessels should be constructed simultaneously,
and that it was imperative that they should be supplied earlier
than in from six to twelve months’ time.
On the 25th September General Nixon telegraphed that every
thing possible should be done to expedite the delivery of these
river craft, and he showed how the concentration of General
Townshend’s force for the advance on Kut had been delayed
by the shortage of river transport. This telegram was at
once repeated to the India Office, who replied on the 30th,
saying that the vessels asked for by General Nixon would be
supplied as early as possible. This reply was passed on to
General Nixon.
The evidence given before the Mesopotamia Commission
shows that there was some delay in England, owing to various
reasons, and that orders were placed for the construction of
* The India Office had been asked by telegram on the 6th July to arrange
for these in England.