'Summary of correspondence relative to the administration of the Port of Basrah and measures for the control of the shipping traffic in Mesopotamia.' [‎40v] (80/134)

"We are asked to make the greatest possible use of the existing fleet, but
without a detailed examination of each
Capacity of present vessel, which at present it is impossible
tc undertake, it is difficult to say what the existing fleet is worth. It is a pecu
liarly heterogeneous collection of craft gathered from all quarters of the globe.
One fairly safe method of computing its value, is by the record of work done ;
and I understand that 250 tons of stores are being conveyed on a 15 day round
trip, which is equivalent to 187 tons on a 20 day trip or the work of 12^ Mejl-
dieh paddlers and 25 barges. t
Allowing for 25 per cent of the present fleet being scrapped or put to other
uses, the P. M. T. O. estimates the value of the existing fleet at the end of the
year as equivalent to 10 Mejidieh paddlers and 20 barges, and as far as 1 can
judge, that appears to be a reasonable estimate.
Taking, therefore, from the total estimated requirements of 88 paddlers or
tugs and 160 barges plus 30 paddlers and 60 barges, 10 paddlers (Mejidieh) and
20 barges (being the value of the present fleet) we have a remainder of 88
paddlers or tugs, 20 paddlers and 200 barges, as the total of new vessels re
quired,
{h) Requirements of the Medical Service. —At present the medical service
possesses 4 hospital ships, (1 paddler and 3 sternwheelers), and the following
are on order: 4 Carter type to carry 97 patients each (2 of these are being built
in India and 2 in England), 4 Bloss Lynch type to carry 200 patients and to tow
two barges, 16 Mejidieh type to carry 200 patients each and two 2 barges, and
39 specially fitted barges, each capable of accommodating 150 patients.
(^) Fequirements of the Pert of Basrah. —The Director of Traflic has at his
disposal at present, 7 tugs, 35 barges, 12 flat pontoon barges, and a number of
motor lighters ; and there are on order 5 more tugs, 38 steel barges of 100
tons capacity, and 8 flat pontoon barges, making a total of 12 tugs, 73 barges,
and 20 flat pontoon barges. He requires, in addition to above, 9 tugs, 4 flat
pontoon barges, and 60 eighty ion mahelas.
{d) Miscellaneous Depar mental Requirements. —These chiefly refer to
launches, motor boats, and barges, and can be met from existing fleet and sundry
additions ordered.
Summary [Tables).
The following tables summarise the position and are, I think, approximately
accurate, but the papers placed before me vary in details and I have found it
difficult to ascertained, with mathematical accuracy, the state of affairs.
TABLE A.
Vessels for the maintenance and transport of the army.
O rueked from E ngland.
Additional
value
of
present
fleet.
Total
require
ments
as per
this no:e.
•
I-*
•"c
u
0
a nd 3rd order.
u
ti
•a
i_
O
'a
Ordered
from
India.
"rt
*3
0
ir
c
rt
Balance.
V)
T?
C
<N
■5-
O
0
H
6
Peddlers of Mejidieh
type or equivalent.
6
6
20
32
15
47
lo
57
57
-
Samana tugs or equiva
lent.
8
31
73
5
77
(78?)
77
(78?.
61
plus 15
(16?) (17?)
Barges (S50 tens)
35
91
...
126
24'
J 50
20
17°
320
minus 50
•48 ordered eq ivalent to 24 large barge«.