'Reports on (1) the Conservancy of the Shatt-el-Arab river from the Port of Basra to the Persian Gulf and on (2) the Development of the Port of Basra. By Sir George Buchanan Kt., C.I.E' [‎13v] (30/62)

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Detailed require
ments for
csmmereial
purposes.
Other public
works.
arrarngement of wharves, warehouses, roads, etc. Owing to the absence of sea-
worms in the Shatt-el-Arab, the wharves would be constructed entirely of teak
timber which would be as lasting as steel or masonry but very much cheaper.
The scheme is a progressive one and the first section of the wharf is completed,,
but at the present time the new wharf and the whole of the deep-water frontage is
taken up for military requirements, i.e., the Ordnance stores. Supply and Transport
stores and warehouses, Eailway yard, and some of the docks, building-slips, stores
and houses of the Inland Water Transport Department. Presumably, after the*
conclusion of peace and when the port is being developed for commercial purposes,
these departments will be moved elsewhere or the area occupied by them very muck
curtailed in extent.
Import Trade.
(18) The bulk of the import trade will no doubt be accommodated at the
new Margil wharves and the goods stored in the transit sheds at the back of the-
wharves until customs and port dues have been paid, when they will be removed
by the consignee. This procedure will obviate the necessity for a large customs
house, but a building will be required for the storage of bonded goods.
There will also be a certain quantity of imports destined for Persia and for local
distribution which can be more conveniently dealt with by overside delivery from
the steamer, and to this there can be no objection.
Export Trade.
The export trade will probably* take considerable time to develop to any great
extent, and, in the first instance, all exports can be more easily and cheaply dealt
with by lightering to the ocean vessels moored in the stream. In the future when
the trade has increased and exports in large quantities are brought down by rail
and river, the wharves can : be extended and goods loaded up direct from railway
trucks on the land-side and river flats on the river-side.
Inland Vessels' Trade.
It will be many years before irrigation or railway competition interferes to any
serious extent with the inland vessels' trade on the Tigris and Euphrates, and
I propose to allocate for the river steamers the river-front below the deep-water
wharves and to build a depot and provide floating pontoon landing stages. The
water there is ample for river steamers but too shallow for sea-going vessels.
Trade with Southern Persia.
Whether the trade with Southern Persia is conducted by a railway from
Basra to Ahwaz, as proposed by me, or continues via the Karun river, imports willy
in the first instance, be conveyed to Basra in deep-sea ships and then be either
transhipped to river steamer or put on to a railway wharf which would be built
on the Persian side of the river.
Miscellaneous private trades and industries.
A number of private trades and industries are sure to spring up as the port
develops, and I propose that the land between the inland vessels depot and the Ashar
Creek be reserved for that purpose and rented to tenants.
(19) In addition to the construction of the wharves and warehouses, swinging
moorings, and, later on as they become necessary, a certain number of fixed moorings
will be required for the use of vessels lying in the stream. At the present time?
there is deep-water accommodation sufficient to provide swinging moorings for 24