'Summary of correspondence relative to the administration of the Port of Basrah and measures for the control of the shipping traffic in Mesopotamia.' [5v] (10/134)
The record is made up of 1 volume (66 folios). It was created in 16 Sep 1916. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
6
I was aware that the dredger required renewal of the pump-casing. This
was actually being done in Rangoon under the superintendence
of the Public Works Department, but I am informed the Indian
Marine officers at Rangoon, through some misapprehension, stopped
the work and despatched the dredger to Bombay.
In the matter of the alleged despatch of the pipe line and pontoons in three
different steamers, I invite a reference to telegram No. M.-109, dated
18th January, to my address which reads as follows :—
Begins. " Principal Port Officer, Rangoon, wires Jamiary 17th. Begins.
' Oolabaria ' sailed to-day towing ' Myittha.' ' Oolabaria ' has on
board whole of pipe line of dredger ' Oswald' consisting of 40 pipes
closed at each end and 36 feet by three and a half diameter weighing
two and a half tons each. Twenty pipes open each end 40 feet by two
and a half diameter weighing one and a half tons each. These
pipes have projections on them which make towing difficult. Nume
rous other plant for dredging purposes. List is being posted. Also
roofs and gear for ' Myittha ' and ' Rebel/ Whole measures about
six hundred forty cubic tons. Ends. Cargo for dredger will be
transhipped in Bombay about 1st February. 4 Myittha's' tow will be
arranged onwards same date." Message ends.
As already stated I fail to understand why the whole of.the pipe line and
pontoons should not have been despatched direct to Basrah from Rangoon instead
of laboriously transhipping at Bombay.
Maintenance of Transport Service on the Tigris.
(12) In connection with above T made the following remarks in my report,
dated 3rd March, on River Conservancy operations in Mesopotamia.
General remarks on transport service on the Tigris.
1 have been asked verbally whether any limit can be placed on the number
of river transports that can be accommodated on the river and in my judgment
there is no limit within reason, but I consider the transport service requires organiza
tion and institution of traffic rules and regulations.
The usual rule of the road is that steamers going up the river give way to
steamers coming down because the former are naturally under better control, but
I understand this rule is not enforced. With large increases in the number of river
transports some crossing stations will possibly be required and a comprehensive
scheme carefully drawn up.
I would point out that a perfect transport service depends upon the follow-.
ing
(1) sufficient number of steamers,
(2) adequate means of repairing and maintaining vessels,
(3) a navigable river at all times of the year,
(4) competent management of the transport service by one responsible-
officer,
and if all these are not co-ordinated there will be failures and breakdow ns.
% With reference to (4) I would suggest that whoever is in charge of the trans
port service should also issue orders for the upkeep and maintenance .of the vessels,
as divided responsibility in this case would militate against efficiency.
(13) In the matter of adequate means of repairing and maintaining vessels,
I was asked my opinion on proposals for the establishment of a Marine Dockyard
at Basrah. I examined the project and reported generally on the same, but the
work is not under my control and I have no knowledge as to the progress being
made. On the urgent necessity for the work I remarked as follows :—
I would observe that I entirely concur with you that as adequate repairing
l^ase for river craft is an urgent and immediate necessity, and as I have had long
About this item
- Content
This secret summary was compiled by the Army Department, War Section Case and printed in Simla in September 1919. It contains letters and telegrams sent from 11 December 1915 to 14 August 1916 between the officers of the Government of India and the Director-General of Port Administration and River Conservancy on the administration of the Port of Basrah [Basra].
The summary also contains 'Report of Major-General G F MacMunn's Committee on the Organization of the River Service in Mesopotamia' (folios 58-66), with recommendations for the Royal India Marine Services, on the method of employing existing and forthcoming vessels, and measures for the control of the shipping traffic on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (66 folios)
- Physical characteristics
The foliation sequence commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
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'Summary of correspondence relative to the administration of the Port of Basrah and measures for the control of the shipping traffic in Mesopotamia.' [5v] (10/134), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/15/131, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023544987.0x00000b> [accessed 17 April 2024]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/17/15/131
- Title
- 'Summary of correspondence relative to the administration of the Port of Basrah and measures for the control of the shipping traffic in Mesopotamia.'
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:24r, 25v:34v, 36v:66v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence