'Summary of correspondence relative to the administration of the Port of Basrah and measures for the control of the shipping traffic in Mesopotamia.' [‎38r] (75/134)

Report of Colonel Sir George Buchanan's Committee on
the Constitution of the River Fleet and Establishment
of a Marine Dockyard at Basrah.
CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEE.
President.
Colonel Sir George Buchanan, Kt., C.I.E., Director General of Port Admi
nistration and River Conservancy.
Members.
Major-General G F. MacMunn, C.B., D S.O., Inspector-General of
Communications.
Lieutenant-Colonel C. B. Winter, Assistant Quartermaster-General, General
Headquarters.
Commander E. Harold, R.I.M., Director of River Transport.
Major R. A. Home, on deputation from the Government of India.
The Committee met at the Office of the Director General of Port Adminis
tration and River Conservancy on the 27th July 1916.
The following note by the President, which had previously been circulated
to the members of the Corrunittee, was taken as a basis for discussion :
The following are the specific references to the Committee appointed under
General Headquarter order conveyed in Memorandum No. i6i4-2i-Q., dated
the 24th June 1916 :— .
To consider and report upon the following :—
(fl) The number and nature of the craft required to provide a satisfactory
river service for the Army in Mesopotamia, specifying the various
descriptions of vehicles (vessels ?) recommended and the number
of each class. The greatest possible use being made of vessels of
the existing fleet. The data upon which to frame an estimate of
requirements will be furnished by Army Headquarters.
(h) The system on which the above river fleet should be kept in a state of
efficient repair including detailed proposals for the establishment
of a thoroughly equipped Marine Dockyard at Basrah and
repair workshops on the lines of communication capable of
dealing with all repairs to the present and prospective fleet.
Respecting {a) A great deal of information has been collected and certain
decisions have been arrived at, and a number of vessels have been ordered. I
propose to gather the facts to gether and lay my own views before the Committee;
we can then hold a meeting and after discussing the various points, come to a
conclusion on the main issues.
With reference to (£). I have, in conjunction with Mr. Home, prepared
a separate report, which has been circulated to the Committee and can be consi
dered at our meeting.
1526AD