Coll 6/88 'Intelligence: Military Report on Arabia (C.B. 1892).' [‎32r] (68/133)

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From the foregoing, it can be realised that there is some difficulty in handling cargo
except at high tide. The dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. owners are good seamen and unload cargo from ships in harbour
in any weather.
Preliminary investigations were made in April, 1940, by staff officers of A.H.Q., India and
Middle East Command, as to the possibility of landing mechanised forces. The conclusion was
reached that the practicability exists but that detailed investigations would be necessary to
arrive at a correct time limit.
There are 700 pearling dhows of all sizes in KUWAIT. Over 25 dhows are fitted with
Kelvin and other engines, while there are 60 " Booms ” of shallow-draught and extra beam,
having capacity up to 100 tons each. The Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. owns a large motor launch, and a local
contractor a small steam tug capable of towing his two 150 ft. iron lighters.
There are 12 motor boats at KUWAIT of which two are Thornycroft, nine Kelvin and
one Gardener, each capable of taking about 20 men with their equipment.
(3) The Town
The town extends for about 3^ miles along the shore and has a greatest depth of 2 miles.
It has no .regular plan. The streets are irregular and winding, though many are passable for
motor traffic. The bazaar (the best in the Gulf) and market place are south of the town on the
edge of the desert. A mud wall, 15 ft. high encircles the town on the land side. It has four
gates and towers at regular intervals of 200 yards. Its total length is 3| miles. The walls
and towers are loopholed for rifle fire and in some parts there is a fire step, but both loopholes
and fire steps are very dilapidated.
Water Supply
The extent of water available varies in summer and winter. In winter water collects
after rain in hollows and remains for several months. Wells in some cases overflow. In
summer water is confined to the wells ; many of these are brackish and a number dry up.
The town of KUWAIT obtains its water from two lines of wells south-west and south-east
of the town, but the water is of indifferent quality and Bedouins camp round the wells in large
numbers during the summer. Therefore, the town mainly relies on water brought by specially
fitted local sailing craft from the Shatt-al-Arab at Fao. Forty craft are always employed in
water carrying. On an average six such boats arrive daily and bring approximately
35,000 gallons of water. If local craft were employed medical supervision would be necessary.
Prominent buildings include the Shaikh’s palaces, the Diwan palace of the late Shaikh
of MOHAMMERAH and the New and Old Agencies.
The high ground of QASR-ES-SIRRAH or MISHRIF, 6 miles south-east of KUWAIT, is
a good observation point. There is a ruined fort on top of it. There are no sanitary arrange
ments, but the sandy soil readily absorbs sewage. In the last few years there has been an
improvement in street-cleaning and in the disposal of refuse. The climate in the summer is
hot but, except for short periods, very dry, and is tempered by sea breezes. The desert cools
down rapidly at night.
KUWAIT is the healthiest of all the Gulf ports and the absence of mosquitoes and sandflies
makes it unnecessary to use mosquito nets. Tuberculosis and small-pox are the two most
prevalent diseases, the latter being endemic all the year round. There have been no epidemics
of cholera or plague for many years. A British surgeon is in charge of the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Charitable
Dispensary and also acts as Quarantine Medical Officer. The dispensary is mainly confined
to the medical treatment of native men, women and children. There is a hospital situated
just south-west of the town run by an American Mission with a full medical staff.
There is an Iraq Government Post Office in KUWAIT, but the stamps sold are Indian,
surcharged “ KUWAIT.” Steps are being taken to instal a British Post Office. The popula
tion of the principality, most of whom live in KUWAIT town, is about 55,000, of whom the
majority are Arabs with about 10,000 Persians. This population increases to about 65,000
during the pearling season.
In addition to the pearling industry the building of motor and sailing dhows is a flourishing
industry. Gypsum mortar is manufactured in a large gypsiferous tract on the outskirts of
the town by burning rubbish in shallow excavations. The only true local produce of KUWAIT
is that yielded by the harbour fisheries, which are a valuable asset. The interior produces
camels and sheep in abundance.
(4) Government Establishments
There are no Government buildings.