'Sheikh Said. Memorandum in Continuation of Departmental Memorandum of 7th March 1893. (With Sketch Map.)' [‎6v] (2/10)

2
“I consider the position of Sheikh Sneed to be practically
useless to the French (as it is now) except for the purposes of
dominating Perim and the narrow straits. The broad straits
could not" be commanded, even with the best modern weapons,
especially at night.
“ But an idea has been started that the object of occupation was
to dredge or dig out the lagoon, and connect it with the Gulf of
Aden by a canal, as marked by the double dotted line in the
sketch*
“ Thus a basin would be formed in which vessels of war could
lie, having two entrances, one from the Red Sea and the other
from the Gulf of Aden.
“If this could be done, the position would be a very formidable
one indeed, for the two lines of hills would shelter the basin
on the north and south, and they have each extremities admirably
adapted for placing batteries upon, to guard either entrance. I
have marked these 1, 2, 3, 4.
“ The broad valley in which the lagoon lies, extends from sea
to sea, and is almost perfectly level, raised in places but a few
feet above the sea. It has evidently been all under water, being
now covered with the debris of sea shells.
“ But, if the idea of making the lagoon were ever entertained
really, the work would seem to me to be one from which even the
powerful and wealthy French nation might well shrink, for,
though the valley appears at first sight to be sand, 1 think there
can be no doubt that a very short distance below the surface solid
rock will be met with throughout the valley.
« This was apparent from the occasional cropping up of sheets
of conglomerate sandstone in places, and in other places, especially
in the lagoon, of very ancient coral. Thus to cut canals on the
uorth and south, and a basin in the centre, sufficiently deep to
float men-of-war and to allow them to turn, &c., would be a work
of immense magnitude. ,
“ Of course it is possible, and if it were done, the position
would be as represented below
2. Range of hills. 3.
Forts 1, 2, 3, 4, defending the canals, and protecting the basin id
both flanks of the system. , c .u
“ This at the south entrance of the Red oea, upon the gfefii
eastern trade route, would be a most formidable position.
2. Lieutenant-Colonel Staee added that the ex
cavation of the canal to connect the lagoon with
the Gulf of Aden had not commenced, as had been
stated. He heard that a French agent from Obokh
had lately been to Sheikh Said to make arrange
ments for hoisting the French flag, but that the
Turks had warned him off.
#
Canal.
Canal.
Basin.
fits
1 .
Range of hills.
4.
Narrow straits.
u pjasin in centre, connected with sea at both ends by canals,
centre
Lines of hills (easily held by small batteries on peaks) oil