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'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' [‎17v] (38/62)

The record is made up of 1 volume (29 folios). It was created in 1917. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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32
13. In my judgment, the proper course to pursue is to abandon Moham-
merah. as a port, and to centralise at Basra, making Basra the great ocean port
of Mesopotamia and Southern Persia.
I propose the building of a railway in a straight line from Basra to Ahwaz,
a distance of about 75 miles through flat country ; and at Basra I would have-
a railway depot, wharves and warehouses.
A scheme is at present under consideration for a motor road between Ahwaz
and Ispahan, and if this were carried out and a railway made to Ahwaz, Basra
would become the great distributing centre for the bulk of the trade of Southern
Persia. There would also be a very considerable passenger traffic by the railway
and trade with Persia would undoubtedly be immensely strengthened and facili
tated.
Imports from overseas would come direct to Basra in deep-sea ships, and
would be railed to their destination • whilst, when, by means of irrigation, the
country had been so developed as to have surplus produce for disposal, it could
be conveyed direct by rail to Basra, and, as at Karachi, put direct on to sea
going ships.
14. In the general interests of trade and port administration, such a scheme
would be highly beneficial.
Smaller subsidiary ports such as Mohammerah are never satisfactory, either
t0' merchant or shipowner, and the concentration of the whole of the trade at the
well-equipped Port of Basra would, i am convinced, be beneficial to all con
cerned.
I am well aware of the arguments in favour of water transport and if the
Karun had its outlet at Basra instead of at Mohammerah, I should advocate
the use of both river and railway, using the former for the export trade when
the state of the river permitted. Each case must, however, be dealt with on its
merits, and not on a hard and fast rule ; and in this particular case, I believe
a careful examination of the pros and. cons will show a large balance in favour of
the railway and the concentration of trade at Basra.
15. With Baghdad and surrounding country,—In the near future, Baghdad
will probably be connected, by railway to Basra ; but in this case a combination
of a railway service with a river service is most desirable.
The river Tigris can be greatly improved for navigation purposes, and I am
of the opinion that it will be so used for very many years and. that large, areas of.
the country can be irrigated, without necessarily interfering with navigation.
16. With Nasiriyah and surrounding country.—Wj remarks as to the improve
ment of the Tigris for navigation apply also to the Euphrates, where a project
is already under execution for restoring the old bed of the Euphrates between
Kurna and Suk-esh-Sheyukh, and. when this is completed vessels drawing 5 to'
6 feet can ply between Basra, Nasiriyah and Samawah at all times of the year.
17. The above is an outline of my proposals after 15 months close study of the'
situation, but reports in greater detail are in hand under the- following heads : -
(a) The improvements on the Shatt-el-Arab river including the removal
of the Outer Bar.
(b) Improvements for navigation purposes on the Tigris and Euphrates^
with notes on Flood- Control and Irrigation.

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Content

This file contains two printed reports written by Sir George Buchanan, Director of Port Administration and Conservancy, Indian Expeditionary Force "D".

The details of the reports are as follows:

1) 'Report on the Conservancy of the Shatt-El-Arab River from the Port of Basra to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ' (folios 1-7);

This report is separated into the following sub-headings:

(a) General Description of the River.

(b) Physical Characteristics.

(c) Obstructions to Navigation.

(d) Removal of the Outer Bar.

(e) Lighting and Buoying.

(f) Pilotage.

(g) Financial.

(h) Conclusion.

A number of charts and plans referred to in the report are contained in a seperate pocket at the rear of the folder (folios 21-29).

2) 'Report on the Development of the Port of Basra' (folios 8-18)

This report is separated into the following sub-headings:

1) Suitability of Basra as the Principal Port of Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .

2) Trade Prospects.

3) Administration.

4) Works and Equipment.

5) Import Trade.

6) Export Trade.

7) Inland Vessels' Trade.

8) Trade with Southern Persia.

9) Miscellaneous private trades and industries.

10) Finance.

11) Charges on Vessels.

12) Dues on Goods.

13) Inland Vessels' Trade.

14) Land Rents.

15) Conclusion.

This report includes an appendix entitled 'A brief note on the future development of the Port of Basra and its communications by land and water, by Sir George Buchanan, Kt., C.I.E., Director of Port Administration and Conservancy, Indian Expeditionary Force, "D" (folios 16-18).

Extent and format
1 volume (29 folios)
Arrangement

Two thematic reports followed by a number of maps and charts that are referred to in the first report.

Physical characteristics

A bound volume with a pocket attached to its inside rear cover containing nine fold-out maps.

There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. of each folio. It begins on the first folio with text, on number 1, and ends on the last of the various maps that are inserted at the back of the volume, on number 29.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'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' [‎17v] (38/62), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/20/C149, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023622758.0x000028> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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