'Diary of a Tour in the Persian Gulf and in Turkish Arabia December 1906, by Lieutenant-Colonel Malleson Assistant Quarter Master General, Intelligence Branch, Division of the Chief of the Staff.' [‎11r] (21/46)

15
Creeks.
There are several creeks on both banks
used for drainage and irrigation. The
Ashar Creek leads up to the town from
slightly above the Consulate. It is the
chief means of communication from the
river to the town. Buggolows can go up
at high tide ; at other times only shallow
draught boats, and at dead low tide the
creek is practically bare mud. Two sub
sidiary creeks lead from the river to the
town, the Hendik and the Robat. They
are both higher up stream than the Ashar.
The latter is crossed by two wooden
bridges, one near its mouth, the other in
the town. The Hendik has one bridge
half a mile from the river. The latter
Basra. 1
creek is crowded with buggalows loading
grain. Grain stores are to be found along
its banks. The town of Basra lies entirely
on the right bank of the Shett-el-Arab
about two miles from the river. The only
places of importance on the left bank
are the quarantine station and the Naval
Hospital. European houses and offices
are on the river bank or a short distance
Landing-place.
up the Ashar creek. The Turkish Commo
dore also has a house on the bank. The
Customs House is at the mouth of the
Ashar Creek. The Arsenal is opposite the
Customs House also on the Ashar Creek.
Width of creeks is about 40 yards and of
the river from 700 to 800 yards. Troops
could be landed anywhere on either bank.
No special arrangements would be neces
sary.
Boats.
The types of boats are :—
(i) A light keel-less boat called a
“ballum” 35 to 40 feet long
and 30 inches broad, drawing
about 6 inches of water. Capa
city 15 men fully equipped.
They are used as punts along
the banks, but are rowed across
the river. Crew—2 men, who
always prefer poling to rowing.
(ii) Lighters for cargo. Capacity 20
to 30 tons. Native built. Ample
supply.
(iii) Steel lighters. The Hamidieh
Company has four, 185 feet
long, to take cargo to Bagdad.
Capacity 400 tons. They draw
5 feet of water when fully laden.
They have now been condemned
as being too heavy for the river
service and four new ones are be
ing built at Constantinople.
Whole capacity will be 350 tons.
The Euphrates and Tigris Com
pany have four 175 feet long,
capacity 200 tons at 2 feet