'Military Report on South-West Persia, Including the Provinces of Khuzistan (Arabistan), Luristan, and Part of Fars' [‎40] (67/466)

40
i fjijjjj alluvial plain of south-vvest persia.
General de
From Muhammerab, on the right bank of the Hafar canal, near its junc
tion with the Shatt-al-Arab, to Buslure, a distance of
Coast line and offing. over ^qq m ii egj the coast line lies low, and is fronted by
a shallow offing, the 3 fathom line being at an average distance of 2J to 3
Liles from it; its harbours or "bandars" scarcely deserve the name. Taking
ad vantage of a creek or a river which has worked for itself a way through
the sandv offinar to low water, often a distance of from 1 to 2 miles, the native
craft of the gulf will run up them at high tides, and there lie aground till tlie
next favourable tide enables them to^ leave The immediate shore line often
consists of a belt of low sand hills 10' to lo' high and 100 to rfOO yards deep
The principal craft that trade from these ports beyond the gulf are called
baghalahs; they are from 100 to 400 tons, and are
Baghalahs. dumsily rigged with a huge main sail and latteen sail
and small latteen " mizen." They cannot tack and require a large crew. They
do not go to sea in the south-west monsoon. Though clumsy in appearance
above water, with a high poop, they have fine bottoms and sail well, especially
in light winds ( Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Pilot)._
The boats in use on the Karun, and on the rivers generally, for cargo pur.
poses combine the advantages of sails and oars they
:Boat8 ' are of various sizes, from 5 tons to 70 tons burden, and
are of one uniform shape, having a broad raking bow, much of which is
out of water, and a full and heavy stern, with a kind of open poop, raised for
the accommodation of the captain and his crew, the rest of the space being
left for the cargo. In general, the rig is the same, consisting of one mast,
nearly amidships, leaning very much forward, and spreading an immense
latteen sail, which extends from stem to stern. The ordinary size of such a
boat is 90' long and 20' wide ;the draft of water is 7' 3', and the vessel
carries about 70 tons [Chemey). _ ✓ ✓ /-n i j . s \
The boats used on the rivers contiguous to the Karun (Euphrates, &c.)
resemble a half moon in shape; their ribs and flanks are roughly nailed to
gether, and the outside coated with bitumen ; they have no keel ; the rudder
is a clumsy contrivance of spars of large size ; with one mast carrying a large
latteen sail, they can tack against the current. ^ ^ ^ i
Ballams or beilams, in general use on the Karun, are 15 to 2-0 long,
wide, flat bottomed; they draw 6^ of water; provided with a huge latteen sai,
they fly down stream. ^
The chief harbours between Bushire and Munam-
Harbours.
merah are :—-
Khor Rii-liillali.—Navigated by boats of small burden for some miles to the village of tbe
same name ; it is shallow at the entrance {see 'page 313).
Khor Geseir.— A large creek, frequented by large boats {see page 313).
Bandar Eigb.—A small creek, inside which boats lie aground {see page 312).
Genawah {see page 311). —Near it is Khor Khalil, a tidal creek or watercourse [seef 3
312)
Khor Sim,. Khor Abd, Khor Liilatain.—All small creeks, which can be safely approached to
within a mile {see page 310),
Dilam {seepage 309).
Shah Abu-al-Shah, where is a small creek used by coasting craft. _ • r
Tab river or Hindiyan river.—Entrance shallow ; boats of 20 to 30 tons navigate tne r
Khor Mashur.—A large salt water inlet, receiving the waters of the Dorak river.
They being all of the same nature, and no one of the small harbours hav
ing a distinct advantage over any other, for mih J
Genera c arac ens ics. | )ur p 0ges are 0 £ e q Ua i value. In all cases piers W0 U