File 1855/1904 Pt 5 'Koweit: Coal depot.' [‎100v] (209/374)

I have forwarded a copy of this letter to the Sub-Engineer for submission
to his Department with the plans and estimates and they will no doubt address
the Government of India on the subject in due course.
No. C-49 (Confidential), dated Koweit, the 27th July 1910.
From— Captain W. H. I. Shakespear, I.A., Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Koweit,
To—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.
With reference to your letter No. 1978, dated the 20th July 1910, I have
the honour to report that Mr. Storrs, Assistant Engineer, Public Works Depart
ment, has been over the ground with me and made a survey for the proposed
coal Depot at Koweit. ^
2. In the first place it will be well to state the reasons for selecting the
exact spot shown on the block plan, which Mr. Storrs will submit to you in
person.
When the survey was carried out by the officers of H. M. S. “Lapwing”
last year, a section on a line N. 42 W. from a point (marked Y on the plan)
* 59 y ar ds distant north-east of the Sheikh’s coal-shed was given and it
was shown that the foreshore from that point became gradually steeper as the
Sheikh’s shed was approached. Subsequently His Majesty’s Government
decided to make the Sheikh’s shed the centre of the British concession, with
its length running N. 60 E. and S. 60 W. Consequently it became unnecessary
to take as the boundary between the Sheikh’s enclave and our proposed depot
a line more than 150 cubits (75 yards) distant from the Sheikh’s coal-shed instead
of 1 59 yards and running N. 30 W. and S. 30 E. The north-west angle of the
Sheikh s shed proved to give almost exactly the centre on this bearing and all
measurements were therefore based on that point. By this means a rather
better site than that advocated in my letter No. 414 of the 28th July 1909 is
possible, with a maximum variation in level of 1*3 feet only and good ground for
foundations throughout.
3. After consideration and discussion with the Assistant Engineer the
arrangement of the coal godowns shown in his pla/n was adopted. The godowns
are calculated to hold 1 ,ooo tons of coal each normally—that is if filled to a
height of 10 feet above the floor. In case of necessity, each godown can
temporarily accommodate with safety another 200 tons leaving 3 feet clearance
to the roof.^ Thus normally the depot will store 7,000 tons and can accommo
date a maximum of 8,400 tons under cover.
TJ le ., 1 arra ?S ements in each godown are exactly similar—with a single
row of pillars in the centre to support the roof : two lines of ventilating
shafts: roof of mud on galvanized iron sheets laid on steel joists: two
sliding or rolling gates or doors also of iron or steel. A rough estimate
works out to about Rs. 1,40,000 for the seven godowns ; it will, however,
be subjected to revision in the prevailing rates for local materials and
labour, with a more accurate estimate of which I was able to furnish Mr. Storrs
and this should reduce the above figure.
Quarters for the tindal Non-European boatswain or head of a group of labourers. and 2 watchmen were also included in the plan at an
estimated cost of under Rs. 5,000.
In the whole depot wonH has been avoided as being expensive to obtain in
Koweit, perishable, and liable to assist a spontaneous fire. The buildings as
suggested are absolutely fireproof with the exception of the doors and windows
in the quarters.
. 4 - The situation of the godowns with reference to each other has been
a-^d at on the supposition that a small tramway will eventually be laid, and to
afford the most efficient and expeditious handling of the coal, whilst leaving
ample space for weighing and stacking of weighed bags ready for instant shipment.
No estimate of the tramway or pier was made as Mr. Storrs informed me
this would be done in the Executive Engineer’s office in Karachi. On the
plan, however, a pier with a T-head has been shown extending to the 3-fathom
line as most suitable to local requirements. If iron piles are used for this work,