'Summary of correspondence relative to the administration of the Port of Basrah and measures for the control of the shipping traffic in Mesopotamia.' [‎33v] (66/134)

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surveys*are all important, as the position of a dredged channel on a river like the
Tigris has to be selected with great care after the survey has been made.
(15) As I shall have three survey parties at work simultaneously I shall be
very short of river transport both for surveys and for conveyance of coal and
stores to the dredgers.
I have coming from India one moderate draft steam launch, one shallow
draft paddler and one steam pinnace, but it is quite impossible for me to carry out
all the works. I have enumerated without a good steamer for w orkmg on the
Hammar Lake and a motor boat for surveys on the lake. I therefore request that
the " Shushan " or similar steamer be placed at my entire disposal and that sanction
be accorded to the purchase of a motor boat.
The latter I have *iad offered me and have purchased, subject to sanction
from Messrs. Strick Scott and Company as per details attached.
I may say that as I shall have competent men in charge I have no fear of the
launch breaking down.
Mv deerer draft launch can tow bargee with coal and stores as far as Qurnah
and the " sliushan " from Qurnah to the lake, but I wish to make it quite clear
that without the service of the "Sushan" or equivalent I cannot carry out the
work entrusted to me
I ask for nothing extravagant either in the way of men or appliances and
have left so small a margin that very little will make the whole difference between
success and failure.
General remarks on transport service on the Tigris.
(10) I have been asked verbally whether any limit can be placed on the
number of river transports that can be accommodated on the river and m my
iudo-ment there is no limit within reason, but T consider the transport service
requires organisation 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 undeistand 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-
mg
(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 breakdowns.
With reference to (4) I would suggest that whoever is in charge of the
mpcrement of the transport service should also issue orders for the upkeep and
maintenance of the vessels as divided responsibility m this case would militate
against efficiency.
The Shatt-al-Arah helow Basrah.
With the large amount of work before meat Basrah and on the ri\ers Tigris
0 r.A F-mhrates 1 reeret that I see no immediate prospect of taking up the ques-
t^n of the Shatt-al-Arab and removal of the Fao-Moham-
merah bars, but the survey work will be put m hand so soon as any of my staff
can be spared.
(Sd.) GEORGE C. BUCHANAN, Colonel,
o j m ^ iQin Director General of Port Administration
oid iviarcH it/iu. 7 ti• ri
and River Conservancy.