Coll 6/88 'Intelligence: Military Report on Arabia (C.B. 1892).' [‎31r] (66/133)

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(10) Transport Facilities
There is no railway. Communication by sea with ADEN and the adjacent coast is
possible by the Cowasjee Dinshaw (small) coasting steamers once a fortnight which carry
mails. Mails are also conveyed by R.A.F. plane once a fortnight when one is available.
Roads are simply well-used tracks from village to village, and connecting points of
cultivation. It is possible to take a car to almost any point in the island by this means.
(11) Signal Communications
There is no cable in operation. The cable connecting the island with PERIM and SALIFF
(on the adjacent coast) has been out of use for some time but it is not known whether the actual
cable is still laid.
There are two W/T sets with two masts situated north-west of North Point : [a) Marconi
type “ U ” C.W./I.C.W.—3 kilowatt—range, 300 miles ; (b) Marconi type R.M. 4B—range,
300 to 2,500 metres. Communication is possible with ADEN and ships. It is very vulnerable
to attack.
(12) Defences
There are no defences.
The Quarantine Station is garrisoned by one platoon of Arab levies from ADEN under
the command of a native officer. These troops recently replaced the garrison of Yemen
infantry.
(13) Reconnaissance
The extent of the sheltered harbour ensures the value of KAMARAN as a base but the
approaches are in mineable water.
Landing places in the Harbour
(a) Under hospital on South Shore : shelving sandy beach meeting cliffs and steep ground
rising to about 50 ft.
(b) Pier on South Shore by ruined fo'rt giving access to flat ground with houses on foreshore
and mound on which stands the ruined fort beyond.
(c) Coal pier on North Shore : 15 ft. broad and with a least depth during summer (low)
level of 4 ft. at the end only. There are steps and a 2-ton crane. Trolley lines run inshore to
flat ground bounded on north-west by rising ground on which are situated the barracks, and
on north-east by the workshops and another eminence on which are the administrative quarters.
(d) Lazaretto Pier with hut and flagstaff on the end and steps both sides. Least depth
(summer low level) 4 ft. at the extremity : gives access by steps to steep ground about 50 ft.
high on which are the administrative offices and distilling plant.
Quarantine Piers (| mile north of North Point)
(i) Landing Places. —Piers enclose a sandy beach 400 yards in extent with 6 ft. (summer
low level) 70 yards out shelving to 2 ft. close in. A trolley track runs round the beach with
quarantine buildings scattered in background—those on the right front stand on slightly
elevated ground with mounds to the southward and flat ground between rising very slightly
to the main plateau.
Small Bay, 1| miles north oj North Point, with Ruined Pier
(i) Landing Places. —Sandy beach, 150 yards in extent with 4 ft. of water at end of pier,
shoaling gradually. The pier is in ruins at the end and landing would be best effected by
wading.
Beach is flanked on either side by undercut cliffs about 15 ft. high. A ruin and tower
stand in the middle of flat ground which subsequently rises steeply about 70 yards from the
water to the main plateau 15 ft. above.
An old roadway leads from the pier to the plateau between the ruin and the tower.
Hamdieh Harbour, south-west side
(i) Landing Places. —Small beach, coral and sand, 150 yards in extent close inside
RAS HADI BIN MOOSA. Three fathoms water about 50 yards out, shelving to 2\ ft. close
inshore ; bordered by steep rocky prominences on either side ; ground rising steeply at first
in most parts, then gradually to the plateau.
Considered generally the best beach.