'Mesopotamia Commission. Report of the Commission Appointed by Act of Parliament to Enquire into the Operations of War in Mesopotamia, together with a Special Report by Commander J Wedgwood, DSO, MP, and Appendices. London: HMSO, 1917.' [‎28r] (55/248)

PART IX.—TRANSPORT.
53
A. Shortage of River Transport.
river banks in the Narrows, and the collisions that frequently occurred with passing
vessels, it was essential to have rounded or pointed ends. The matter might appear,
at first sight, of minor importance, but it turned out otherwise. As soon as the
General Officer Commanding in Mesopotamia became aware of the departure from the
orders sent home, he telegraphed, on March 27th, 1916, protesting against the change,
and against the omission to make use of Messrs. Lynch's assistance and experience, further
asking that any barges that remained to be constructed should be of the model asked for.
The 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. , in their reply of March 31st, refused to accept the General’s view, and
adhered to their opinion that the barges they had designed were “ suitable for the Tigris,
and in many respects superior to anything there.” On April 6 th, 1916, the General tele
graphed re-stating his conviction as to the unsuitability of bows of square shape, which
conviction he stated was based upon the best local expert advice. He pointed out that
it was dangerous to make experiments, and better to adopt what had proved to be successful,
beyond which, if the square-ended barges proved unsuitable, as he feared, the consequent
delay and difficulty might have a paralysing effect on the success of future operations.
In reply to this, the 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. not only declined to alter the barges which were being
built, but directed that further 25 barges about to be built should also have the square-
shaped pontoon bows.
37 . Pressed as he was at that time by overwhelming difficulties, with a starving
garrison in Kut hoping daily for succour, inadequate forces at the Front to effect their
relief, and 10,000 men at Basra who could not be got up the river in time, owing to inade
quacy of transport, it would be surprising if the General Officer in Command was not driven
to something approaching desperation. This is indicated in the following extract from
his telegram to the 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. , dated April 11 th, 1916, in which he surveys the attitude
of the 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. :—
It is incumbent on me to invite your attention to what, in my opinion, is an incontrovertible fact, but
the relative importance of which it is difficult for anybody outside this country to estimate. In my judgment
it is quite beyond the ability of anyone in England or elsewhere, unless he possesses a wide j^ersonal knowledge
of this country, to form any correct estimate of the peculiarities of Mesopotamia or, in particular, of the idiosyn
crasies of the Tigris. Full details of the specifications of what I required in regard to barges and river craft
which were to be specially constructed for eventful use in this country were given in my telegrams dated 10th
July, and July 17th, 1915 to the Chief of the General Staff, Simla, with the object of further ensuring that all
vessels would be constructed on lines essential to successful employment in Mesopotamia. I recommended in
my telegram of July 23rd, 1915 to the Chief of the General Staff, India, that the consulting engineer to Lynch
Bros., Mr. Thomas, should be despatched to England to superintend the construction of steamers subsequently,
vide my telegram of August 5th to the Chief of the General Staff, India. I suggested that ouragents in the matter
should be Lynch Bros. In spite of the above and having regard to the fact that Tigris craft have been navigated
for upwards of 70 years by Lynch Bros., and also that the practical experience gained by the Officers of the
Royal Indian Marine since the beginning of military operations in Mesopotamia is coincident with Lynch Bros'.'
unique knowledge of the idiosyncrasies of the Tigris it seems that your naval architect has thought it desirable
to design a type of barge which is suitable in his opinion. Having regard to the facts stated above and in the
event of these barges, with square above? (bows)^ proving a failure which is expected here I think it very necessary
that 1 should lay before you the fullest details of the case as it now stands. Not only is there the question
of loss to the State, but what is of greater importance the possibility also of my being sent a large number of
barges which although the intention was that they should be specially built for a particular purpose may not
be found suitable for local requirements.
38. It was then too late to alter a large number of the barges appertaining to the first
order sent borne. Thirty-five barges, each of 250 tons capacity, and seven of smaller
dimensions, all with square ends, were shipped. They were, after trial on the Tigris, con
demned as totally unsuitable for navigation of the river. Much delay was involved in
replacing them. Months of time were lost, and a large amount of public money.
39. Responsibility for these errors must rest with the 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. , who authorised
or concurred in departure from the lines of an order laid down with so much emphasis
in the despatch to which we have already referred. But the matter does not end here ;
barges, tugs and stern-wheel steamers were sent out in sections, or in plates and angles.
Arrangements for their erection in Mesopotamia were made by the 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. , with little
prevision of what, would be required. The arrangements proved to be quite inadequate.
It was a work of no little magnitude to discharge, assemble, erect and fit up complete, 11
steamers and 43 barges, with insufficient plant and mechanics and under trying local
conditions. Much loss of valuable time occurred, and vessels expected to be ready for
use a few weeks after arrival were not available for many months. Some of the craft
were sent in very large and heavy sections. Means of handling them in Mesopotamia
proved inadequate and when an attempt was made to put them together in the river it