'Summary of correspondence relative to the administration of the Port of Basrah and measures for the control of the shipping traffic in Mesopotamia.' [‎19v] (38/134)

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Sub-Enclosure V.
APPENDIX
No. 149-A.-16.
Office of the Director-General of
Port Administration and River Conservancy.
I. E. F orce " D. "
/
53, Strand Road.
Dated Basrah, the 28th March 1916.
To D. A. and Q. M. G.
Memorandum.
As instructed by the Army Commander I submit the accompanying note on
the delays caused to the River Conservancy operations in Mesopotamia due to non-
arrival of plant and equipment and other causes.
(Sd.) GEORGE C. BUCHANAN, Colonel,
Director-General of Fort Administration and River Conservancy y
1. E. Force " D. "
Memorandum on delays to River Conservancy work in Mesopotamia due to non-
receipt of plant, material and Survey Equipment from India, and to local inability
to supply temporarily Inspection and Survey launch.
I. On the 17th December 1915 I furnished the Government of India with
detailed proposals for an Engineering and Surveying Staff and equipment which
1 proposed to obtain from Burma, and the Government of India approved of my
proposals, and in a telegram to the Government of Burma said the work I was to
be engaged upon was of vital importance to the success of military operations in
Mesopotamia.
I • 2. The Government of Burma did all that was possible to assist in the matter,
my staff was engaged, a survey equipment purchased and a large dredger employ
ed on an important public work in Burma along with three launches were placed at
the disposal of Force " D. "
3. I arrived at Basrah on the 1st of January and was informed that it would
be necessary for me to make all arrangements for equipment and personnel and
that I should demand from India everything I considered necessary unless I con
sidered it desirable to defer all surveys, dredging work, etc.
I replied that I was doing all in my power to collect staff and material as
1 fully realised that all available craft was required for military purposes, and 1
had ordered from India one dredger and three launches that there could be no
question of deferring surveys or dredging work unless my craft were lost en route,
and that it was matter for regret the surveys were not put in hand six months ago.
1 also telegraphed to Mr. Niven (my Chief Assistant) emphasising the necessity
for his bringing everything with him from Rangoon.
4, I represented on my arrival the urgent necessity for my going up the river
to inspect personally the sites of the works 1 was to carry out, and asked if a launch
could be made available for a matter of ten days, but owing to the paucity of
launches and military necessities I was unable to proceed until the 20th January
when the launch allocated to the Chief Political Officer was placed at my disposal.
I did not however get more than a few miles beyond Qurnah as the boiler
burst on the morning of the 21st January and after drifting for thirty hours I got
a tow back to Basrah. The launch was repaired but the boiler burst again on
the 1st February. I then wrote to General Cowper and asked if it would be possible
to spare another launch and said that if none were available 1 should very reluct
antly have to give up all idea of making my inspection before the flood season.
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