Coll 6/88 'Intelligence: Military Report on Arabia (C.B. 1892).' [‎31v] (67/133)

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KUWAIT
Lat. 20° 21' N„ Long. 48° 6' E.
(See Plan No. 20 and Admiralty Charts 1213, 1214 and 22)
(1) General Remarks
Though situated strategically at the head of the Gulf the anchorage is a good one, being
classed as “ A ” ; accessible to ships of all classes, partly visible from seaward at long range
but not well suited for defence.
The harbour is a commodious bay, 20 miles long by 10 miles broad at its maximum width,
with good holding ground over the greater part. The outer part is exposed to the “ Kaus ”
(S.E. wind) and the inner part or DUHAT KADHAMA to the “ Nashi ” (N.E. wind). Strong
“ Shamals ” (N.W. winds) raise a nasty sea for boats along the southern shore. Ships can,
however, lie safely in the harbour in any weather ; capital ships must lie north or north-east
of RAS AJUZA, but lighter draught vessels can lie farther in, south of FASHT AL HADAIBAH.
The approach is easy, through a deep channel 34 miles wide which could be defended. The
depths in the harbour are from 10 to 16 fathoms in the entrance, from 5 to 9 fathoms in the
middle and thence from 4|- to 5 fathoms deepening again to 54 and 6 fathoms towards its head
which latter is shallow.
DUHAT KADHAMA is suitable for a small floating dock. It will provide anchorage for
large vessels but to reach it a bank, over which the depths are from 4J to 5 fathoms, must be
crossed.
It is one of the most important towns and ports in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , being a big centre for
the pearl fishing industry and for the trade of North and Central ARABIA.
(2) Port Facilities
There are no dry or floating docks. Numerous stone breakwaters have been built parallel
to the shore to afford sheltered landings for boats. Most of the enclosed space dries about
2 to 3 ft. at M.L.W.S. Ships anchor 1 or 2 miles off the town and discharge into local craft.
Landing at low tide is inconvenient as the beach dries out a considerable distance. The
capacity of the port of KUWAIT is estimated (October, 1941) at 500 d.w. tons per day.
The potential capacity is estimated at 1,000 d.w. tons per day.
Landing Facilities
The best places for landing troops are :—
[a) At the Old Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Steps.
(b) At Kadhama Pier, erected by the Kuwait Oil Company on the north side of KUWAIT
Bay. It is a cement pier, details of which are as follows :—
Length .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 155 ft. (approx.)
Width—Sea end .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 ft. 6 in.
Shore end .. .. .. . . .. 12 ft.
A hand operated jib crane, capacity 5 tons, is installed at the sea end
of the jetty.
Height from sea bed to top of jetty—sea end .. .. 9 ft.
Height—shore end—from shore .. .. .. .. 1 ft. 6 in.
Height to top of jetty from low water springs .. 13 ft. 6 in. ^approx.)
Depth of water-—high water springs—sea end .. . . 7 ft. 9 in.
Depth of water—high water neaps—-sea end .. .. 4 ft.
The approach to the shore is shallow and the nearest a. boat drawing 4 ft. can close the
old Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. breakwater at M.L.W.S. is about 100 yards.
BANDAR SHUWAIKH is a small basin about 1-| miles south-west of the town of
KUWAIT in which the depths are from 2--6f fathoms with a mud bottom. The channel
to it passes eastward of ALAKAZ—a large reef lying about 1| miles westward of the
southern part of KUWAIT town.
There are two jetties at Bandar Shuwaikh. A concrete jetty on the foreshore 300 ft.
long with a minimum width of 16 ft. has been completed. This jetty which extends seaward
from the maximum high tide mark is 100 ft. from the road giving a total length of 400 ft.
The end of the completed work does not extend as far as the low water spring tide mark, but
it is used for unloading lighters as there is approximately 8 ft. of water at the head at high
water neap tides. Proposals have been put forward to extend the'jetty by 32 ft. at right angles
and raise the level 2| ft.
There is also an old stone jetty approximately 300 ft. long built during the war (1914-1918).
It is reported (October, 1941) to be in fair condition. There are no lifting or other appliances
but with the assistance of the KUWAIT Oil Company facilities can be provided for the landing
of weights up to 15 tons. Ships of 3,000 tons could here be brought to within 100 yards of
the shore.