'PERSIAN GULF AND GULF OF OMAN. RESOURCES AND COAST DEFENCES.' [‎41] (47/114)

24.
MOHAMMERAII—KARUN RIVER.
41
1/
There is no information as to the barracks shown on Chart Barracks.
1,235 E. of the quarantine station on the S. side of the chamiel.
Note. —Moharamerah was bombarded by a British squadron
on 26th March 1857 (during the Persian war), and captured by
the troops of the expedition. Thirteen thousand Persians fled
precipitately on the landing of the troops. (&?e Appendix, p. 86).
If the Karun trade route is developed, Mohammerah must
become a place of great importance commercially, whilst its
geographical position marks it as a point of strategical value
for any warlike operations in this region.
It should be noted that the British interests at Mohammerah
are very great.
KAETJN EJVER.
{See Admiralty Chart 1,235.)
draught
The Hafar Channel meets the Karun River about 1 mile E. of
Mohammerah. As already explained (footnote, p. 39) the Bah-
mishir River, which flows roughly parallel to the Shatt-al-Arab, is
supposed to be the lower course of the Karun River ; but being
very shallow, all traffic between the Karun River and the Persian
Gulf passes through the Hafar Channel and Shatt-al-Arab.
From Mohammerah to Ahwaz (Bunder Nasri), a distance of Navigation.
117 miles, the Karun is navigable for vessels of about 2^ feet
draught from August to November, and 4^ to 5 feet
when the river is high.
For this distance the river averages 400 yards in width, the
channel being tortuous. The strength of the current varies
from 2 to 5 knots an hour, according to the season.
A steamer of the Euphrates and Tigris Steam Navigation
Company (Messrs. Lynch) plies fortnightly between Moham
merah and Ahwaz.
Just below Ahwaz there are rapids for 1| miles, which
obstruct navigation. Cargo is transported from steamers below
the rapids to others above and vice versa.
Above Ahwaz the river is navigable for 40 miles to Bund-i-kir
which is at the junction of its three branches, the Diz, Shatail,
and Gergar.
The chief traffic above Bund-i-kir is on the Shatail for about
18 miles, navigation ceasing at a point about 7 miles belc^w
Shuster.
Between Ahwaz and this point goods, &c., are carried by
the steamer " Shushan" belonging to Messrs. Lynch. The
"Shushan" can pass Ahwaz Rapids (last time reported, March
POO 2 ).
In about 1842 Selby took Layard in the gunboat "Assyria"
across Ahwaz rapids, and close up to Shuster.
The city of Dizful, on the Diz River, can be approached within
10 miles when the river is full in winter and spring.