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File 4648/1912 'Railway projects in South Persia; surveys of Gulf ports' [‎13r] (30/258)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (129 folios). It was created in 1912-1916. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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Possibilities of developing the Port. —Dredging operations to enable ships to
berth alongside wharfs or jetties would be quite impracticable, owing to the distance
and the almost certainty that channels would rapidly silt up. In my opinion the
only practicable method of developing the port would be the construction of a large
boat harbour with piers for lighters to load and discharge alongside/ the harbour
could be anywhere as convenient as the beach is hard firm sand all along the coast.
As the beach dries out so far it would be necessary for the jetties to be run out
beyond the low water line or else for a channel to be dredged inside the harbour.
For the efficient handling of cargo, steam tugs and a lighterage service would
be a necessity.
Tides and Currents. —The tides are regular setting East-South-East, West-
North- West and the currents at springs do not exceed 1 to 1J knots per hour.
The spring rise at Bandar Abbas is 11 feet.
Neap rise at Bandar Abbas is 6^ feet.
Fresh Water. —Fresh water is only available from wells where it is slightly
brackish, or from Birkehs or reservoirs, where rain water is collected and stored,
the available supply at present would not suffice for any increase of p/opulation.
The commercial and strategic possibilities, site for township, etc., were all
fully reported on by Captain B. Mainprise, K.E.
Laft Point Section.
The possibilities of a harbour off Puhal Point on the Mainland opposite Laft
Point seem to me very poor.
The following are the disadvantages :—
(1) An intricate approach of 24 miles.
(2) Necessity of pilotage and extensive buoying.
(3) Excessive depths except in a very restricted area.
(4) Bad anchorage, the bottom being mostly rocky.
(5) Limited foreshore suitable for constructing wharves, or jetties.
(6) Distance from the existing trade routes.
(7) Strong tides are Eddies.
The following would appear to be the advantages .
(1) Sheltered anchorage.
(2) Good strategic position.
(3) Possibilities of constructing wharfs for ships to be alongside within a
maximum limit of 350 yards.
(4) Ships of deep draft can lie (if moored) close to Puhal point.
Anchoraqe.-The actual anchorage area off Puhal Point would only be about
one mile by a quarter of a mile, the depths Southward of this -except on some rocky
shoals of 3f fathoms-vary from 15 to 22 fathoms and would be unsuitable for
anchoring, the narrowness of this area would only allow of one tier of vessels and to
give swinging room, for them, mooring buoys would have to be laid down.
Possibilities of Wharfage.— The only practicable site for wharfage would be that
portion immediately adjacent to Puhal Point, where it is nearly steep to, and would
require but little dredging, or if pile piers were constructed dredging operations
might not be necessary! The extent of this frontage is about 350 yards a nd would
accommodate about three ships at a time, to the eastward and westward of Puhal
Point are extensive mud flats on which landing would not be practicable.
Tides and Currents.-ln the area off Puhal Point the tides are strong and con
flicting, also during springs the existence of rocky shoals and sudden great var
tions of depths in the approaches cause overfalls and eddies which would complicate
manoeuvring ships.
The spring rise at Puhal Point is 13 feet.
Neap rise at Puhal Point is 3 feet.
At springs the currents set Bast by North, and West by South, from 2 to 2 J
knots per hour. „ , „ ^ 0 n * ik sr—ra
r G. M. Press, Simla.-No. C. 44 F. D.-29-M5,-38._B.A.

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Content

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, notes, and maps relating to the development of railways projects in South Persia and the associated marine surveys of Gulf ports, notably Bandar Abbas and Bushire.

The volume includes the report of Lieutenant Arnold Talbot Wilson on the technical issues concerning development of railway lines between Bushire and Shiraz, and Bandar Abbas and Shiraz. Also included is a report on the commercial possibilities of these two developments, compiled by Commercial Adviser, H G Chick. These reports (folios 101-124) are preceded by an accompanying summary and analysis by the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Percy Zachariah Cox.

Also discussed in the correspondence is the question of concessions for railways in the neutral zone and the relative advantages (climate, water supply) of Bushire and Bandar Abbas as railway termini in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . The correspondence also features discussion of a rumoured German scheme for a Bushire-Shiraz railway.

Further discussion surrounds the arrangements for marine survey work in the region of Henjam and Bandar Abbas to be undertaken by the RIMS Palinurus. A report by the Captain of the Palinurus, Captain B W Mainprise is included along with three marine survey maps (folios 48-50).

The principal correspondents in the volume include: the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and Consul General for Fars (Lieutenant Colonel Percy Zachariah Cox); (Lieutenant Colonel Stuart George Knox); First Assistant to the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Captain L Birdwood; Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department; Under Secretary of State, 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. ; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir Edward Grey); Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Louis Mallet); Director, Royal Indian Marine, Walter Lumsden; Officer Comanding, RIMS Palinurus ( Captain B W Mainprise); Secretary to the Government of India, Marine Department.

The volume includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 volume (129 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume. The subject 4648 (Railway projects in South Persia; surveys of Gulf ports) consists of 1 volume, IOR/L/PS/10/316. The explanation of the cover sheet/divider at the front of each volume (regarding the correspondence series numbers which have been put together to form the volumes) will be given in the Scope and Content.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 127; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

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English in Latin script
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File 4648/1912 'Railway projects in South Persia; surveys of Gulf ports' [‎13r] (30/258), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/316, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100045943904.0x00001f> [accessed 19 March 2024]

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