Political Correspondence - Muscat and Oman Affairs [‎14v] (28/370)

12. Having no statistics from which to judge of the average fall of rain at
this part of the coast, I conclude from the mountainous nature of the country, and
from the marks in the ravines, that at times the rain comes down in torrents. It is
at any rate best to he prepared for so probable an occurrence. 1, therefore, recom
mend that the line he carried through these hills within a quarter of a mile of the
sea. The valleys between the ridges are of very trifling breadth, and by erecting
the posts as near as possible together, and as nearly in a direct line as the nature
of the country will permit, the strain on e 1 ' M1 be greatly reduced. In
order to give the posts a hold m this very brittle clay, I would secure them three
feet in the ground on the top of the hillocks, by fixing each into a wooden frame
made of two railway sleepers divided up the centre, and by using wire stays from
the top of the post to the extremities of the frame. The extra expense attending
this plan would not exceed 10 Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. for each post, or Rs. 3,000 for the
whole distance. The posts should also be as short as possible, in order to
get rid of top weight. The iron standards without the wooden top piece would do
well for this purpose.
13. I am decidedly of opinion that there must be a station at or near Puss-
nee, the distance between Ormarrah and Gwadur (180 miles) over bad country,
near the sea, being much too great for successful direct working in bad weather.
14. From Pussnee to Gwadur is rough country, but Major Goldsmid reports
no particular difficulties, and to avoid the coast marked E to F in Chart we have
merely to go inland a few miles.
15. Gwadur itself I consider a very eligible place for an office. A house on
the table land at the top of the hill between the sea and the town would serve as
a sanitarium, so that employes at the unhealthy stations could recruit their health
while performing duty here.
16. Between Gwadur and Charbar, a distance of about 100 miles, I can only
judge of the country from coasting along en route to the latter place. The coun
try appears rough, but not so bad as some parts already alluded to, and I anticipate
no greater difficulties here than on any other part of the coast. Charbar itself appears
to be a particularly suitable place for a station, being cheerful, healthy, and clean.
17. I particularly request that it may be understood that in this report on
the Mekran Coast I have advanced no theories whatever, and have suggested no
thing but what I am myself willing and able to accomplish with practical Assistants.
There is no doubt but that there arc many and great difficulties to be encountered,
much greater, and many more even than have been met with in the construction of
the Indian lines ; and I have no wish to under-rate these difficulties ; at the same time
experience has taught us that more serious obstacles can be overcome, and there are
none on the Mekran Coast that skill and perseverance cannot surmount. It would
be out of the question to attempt to construct this line with men accustomed only
to European lines and a European climate. In the Indian Telegraph Department
there are many Inspectors and others especially adapted for this duty, having been
employed through the mutinies, when they had to exercise their judgment, and
others who have been engaged in constructing lines in the Hills, Amman Coast, &c.
The Home Government have already sent five Inspectors to the Indian Telegraph
Department, with a view that five experienced men should be transferred to the
Mekran line.
II.—The Deep-sea Sub-marine Line.
18. Should political reasons prevent our proceeding farther than Charbar by
the Mekran Coast, we are necessitated to resort to a sub-marine cable to reach the
nearest land on which to carry on the aerial line. By the Charts the nearest
point on the Arabian Coast to Charbar is Muscat, distant 175 miles. We
have as yet seen no soundings Measurements of the depth of a body of water. between these two places, but the depth
is known to be considerable. The length of the cable is, however, so favor
able that it will greatly obviate any objections likely to be raised on account of
the depth along this route. For this line 1 would propose a very light cable, with
strong shore ends, the cost of which when laid down would not exceed £20,000.