'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎214] (387/524)

214 REPORT ON THE LINE OF TELEGRAPH
in advance to prevent the cable getting into shallow water, also off
Kais island to mark the edge of the muddy bottom.
B as Mataf .—I have made a zigzag round the edge of the great
10 fathom flat lying to southward of Ras Mutaf, which shows that it
does extend a great distance off; also that the edge is steep, there
being only 3 miles from 20 to 35 fathoms, it will therefore be necessary
to rotund this shoal as shown in 30 fathoms, or upwards, bottom green
mud. Here also a beacon vessel would be very useful, as a consider
able saving in the length of cable would result from rounding it closely,
or near the edge of the shoal. It would also greatly facilitate lifting
the cable at any future time, to have it in the first of the deep water.
From Ras Mataf the cable will take the directions shown on the
plan, for a position, 6 miles W. by S. of Ras Rishir (the landing place
for Bu-shehr) the bottom continuing equally favourable, and the depths
decreasing to 30 and latterly 20 fathoms.
< Tides .—The tides near Tumb island are very strong, running up
wards of 2 f per hour, about E. by N. and W. by S., or nearly in the
direction of the cable just outside Ras as Sheikh, the strength was
found to be 2 knots SW. by S. and NE. by N., and as this is across
the direction of the cable, and the bottom sandy, or gravelly, it may be
considered the greatest difficulty in the way of tide, the cable will meet
with ; but as the water is deep, this moderate tide would I apprehend
not affect the cable (see report on the tide meteor supplied to the ex
pedition.) After passing Farur the tide becomes weaker, and off Kais
is under one knot per hour, and no greater velocity than this is met
with, until the river is approached.
Landing at Bu-shehr .—In landing near Bu-shehr, the greatest dan
ger appears to be from ship’s anchors, as vessels of all sizes up to 800
tons visit the place, and may have to anchor if the wind be light, and
tide against them, or if night comes on any where north of Halileh
Bay.
Bas Rishir the best Point *—The little cliff close to and forming the
South side of Rishir point is the spot selected by us; it combines
several advantages. Being 6 miles from the regular anchorage in the
outer roads, it is, I am of opinion, as little exposed to the casualty of
being fouled by anchors as any part of the peninsula further distant.
It is the point nearest to the 10 fathom line. Both to Northward