'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME II' [‎139r] (282/706)

JULFi 265
tial is said to be collected at Kars sufficient to build the line from Julia
to Khoi.
. T ^ e Indo-European Telegraph Company have a transmitting offico
m charge of an inspector, but messages are not accepted; they must be
sent through the Persian Government office.
In December 1911 a Russian radio-telegraphic company arrived at Julfa
and established a system of wireless telegraphy connecting Julfa with
Urumleh, Khoi, Tabriz and Maraud.
The river flows in a low sandy bed and hugs the Russian bank.
River. leaving on the Persian side a stretch of
sand varying . with the season; in Nov
ember it was about 100 yards across. The Persian bank is so low
as to endanger the houses, which often suffer from the spring floods and
run the risk of being swept away. The crossing and right bank are com
manded from the Russian side by a ridge which, commencing at the ferry
rises quickly to a height of 100 to 120 feet and runs parallel with the river
for a distance of 1| miles. Russian sentries are stationed on the ridge,
from which various fords are within view up and down stream. In Nov
ember the breadth of water was 100 yards, depth 8 feet, rapidity of current
2^ miles an hour.
The ferry is conducted by means of two wire hawsers stretched
Ferries, across the stream, along each of which
the water power moves a platform, 5
yards by 4 yards, supported on two small boats. The transit takes about
five minutes. One platform and hawser are Russian property and convey
passengers and baggage from the left to the right bank, the others
Persian, and convey passengers, etc., from the right to the left bank.
Wooden stages of a temporary character exist at either end of the haw
sers^ A steep ramp on the Russian side gives access to the landing stage.
The arrangements are very primitive and quite unsuited to the requirements
of a great highway : during the summer, when traffic is at it highest, ani
mals can cross by the fords a short distance down stream.
Three fords exist above and below the ferry—
No. 1 Ford. At the first bend, f mile below the ferry. Access from
b , ot ^ anks _ eas T» for <I 100 yards broad, with a length up and down stream
ot 100 yards, depth 3 feet, bottom firm and shingly, giving an excel
lent passage ; open during summer and early autumn ; difficult and dan
gerous at other times. This ford is well known, and is marked by a quantity
of heavy mill-stones obtained from a quarry in the neighbourhood.
No. 2 Ford .—This is about 150 yards below the ferry. The banks on
both sides slope easily; good sandy bottom, depth 3" to 3|-'; open summer
and autumn, when it is much used for camel transport; dangerous at other
times.
No. 3 Ford.—At the village of Julfa, about 3| miles above the ferry
at a point where the river divides into three channels. The crossin" is
exceptionally easy and is closed only during spring floods and winter
freshets.
Below Julfa the mountains of the Kara Dagh and the Trans Caucasian
impinge on the Aras, and such fords as may exist on the mountain