Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎144r] (287/678)

SECTION III.
The Wilayats of Baghdad and Basra.
From I he junction of the Tigris and Euphrates at Kurnah down to its Shatt-ui-Arab.
mouth, the Shatt-ul-Arab is a broad deep stream, navigable throughout for large
steamers. As a rule, however, these only go as far as Basra, the upper portion
being navigated by the river steamers which ply between the latter place and
Baghdad. The only difficulty in the navigation of the lower part is the bar across
the mouth of the river at Fao, where at neap tide there is sometimes only 11
feet of water in the channel, but the bottom is of soft mud, and though steamers
occasionally stick there they are usually got off again without much difficulty.
Fao is a station of the Indo-European Telegraph Company and the junction F a0 -
of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. cable with the Turkish telegraph system. The fort which
the Turks commenced to build at Fao has never been finished, no work having
been done on it for the last 6 or 7 years; the walls which were built are already
falling into disrepair, there are no guns in it, and the garrison consists only of
some 30 or 40 men. As I believe a vice-consul has lately been appointed at
Fao, information w T ould be sent at once 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. at Baghdad
should the Turks make any further attempt to continue work on the fort.
The Turkish fleet at Basra consists of the steel corvette “ Zuhaf,” 643 Basra,
tons, armed wdth four 12-centim. Krupp and two Hotchkiss guns, and two Turkish fleet,
small armed vessels of 166 tons, each carrying two small guns, two machine guns
and one rocket. These vessels usually lie in the river, but they are used for the
transport of reliefs or additional troops to Hasa and occasionally take a cruise
to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . They appear to be clean and well kept, and the men are
well turned out, far more so than in the Turkish vessels on the coast of Syria.
This is due to the present Admiral at Basra, who has the reputation of being a
good officer.
The present Governor of Basra, Hamdi Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , appears to be an exception- Governor,
ally good man. Contrary to the custom of most Turkish officials he does not
accept bribes. Outwardly, at least, he expresses friendly feelings towards Euro
peans, and is on good terms with our Consular authorities.
The Gazetteer of Baghdad contains a full description of the town of Basra.
From a military point of view its chief interest lies in the fact that, in the event
of any operations from India in this part of Turkey, Basra is the port where
troops would probably disembark, and whence further operations along the line
of the river would be conducted. The low-lying ground on both banks of the
stream is liable to be flooded for some way inland during the spring, but a good
camping-ground could always be found in the desert on the left bank. Owing
to the marshy nature of the country on both its banks, the river forms the only
practicable line of communication with the interior, and it is useful to consider
what transport would be available in case of necessity.
Messrs. Lynch and Company have on the river the following steamers :— River steame
Mejidieh
Khalifa
Used for the regular service between Basra and Baghdad.
Blosse-Lynch... In reserve at Basra.
Mai Amir ... Plies between Muhammarah and Ahwaz, occasionally visiting
Basra.
Each of these is capable of carrying at a pinch 1,000 men, or say a regi
ment, in addition to 200 tons of cargo.
They also have 5 light-draft steel barges, each of which carries 200 tons,
and would hold about 400 men ; and one smaller barge to carry 100 tons or 200
men.
Messrs. Gray, Mackenzie and Company have two large iron barges,
were not built for the river, but could be used if not too heavily laden.
these