Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎150r] (299/678)

Route No. i.
Ajer to Hofhuf.
Authority —DOUGLAS, MARCH 1896.
Approximate distance
IN MILES.
Name of stage.
Interme
diate.
Total.
Rbmarks.
1 . Bir Rahman ... 14 14 Leaving Ajer the road strikes west-south-west across the loose
undulating sand, very heavy going. The numerous
caravans which pass leave a sort of track, but it is obli
terated by high wind. At about it miles the wells of
Bisertin, sweet water obtained by digging and'some grazing about. Three miles further on are the wells of
Bir Rahman; grass and camel-grazing ; no fuel. There are three wells, but the water is brackish, and that
required for drinking should be brought from Bisertin.
Track as in last stage all over loose sand. The wells of
Chatar are situated at the edge of a large depression, fairly
clear of sand and covered with saltpetre; the water is slight
ly brackish ; there are three small wells. No grazing or fuel.
2. Chatar wells
3. JlSHA
4. Hofhuf
14
28
12
40
From Chatar the road is at first across the depression ; water
obtainable by digging, but it is very brackish. After four
miles enter shifting sand hills ; track mostly winds between
them on firm ground. After going for nearly 10 miles the
sanas are nnauy icu., clu s reached. Two miles further on near the edge of the cultiva-
tion is the walled village of Jisha. A good place to halt beyond the village near the first of the date-groves.
Good water, grass, fuel and supplies obtainable from the village.
The road winds between fields and date-groves through well-
watered and fertile country. At a little over one mile the
large walled village of Jafaris passed on the left. Two or
three miles further on a stony plain is entered, with a well-
marked road across it, date-groves dotted over it, and several small villages in the distance. Two small
fortified posts occupied by Zaptiehs on the road. At nine miles the town of Hofhuf is reached and entered
by the southern gate.
49
Route No. 2.
Baghdad to Aleppo via the Euphrates Valley.
Authority— April 1896.
Approximatb distance
IN MILES.
Name of stage.
Interme
diate.
Total.
Actual
time occu
pied in
hours.*
Rbmaris.
2I 21 65 Crossing the river at Baghdad by the bridge of
1. Abu Ghkaib ... boats, or by ferry if the river is high, the portion
of the town which lies on the right bank is passed
through. The road leaves this in a general direc-
r .onuth of west. In spring the marshes formed by the overflow of the Saklawiyah Canal
freau^ntli extend right up to the walls of the town and must then be crossed in a boat In April 1896 some
frequently extend ng p ^ t he dry land being reached near the ruins of Akar Kuf. The remainder
oYthe'roacTis over grassy desert! a good, well-marked track. Abu Ghraib is merely a small police outpost
near the canal of that name.
2. Fallujah
jg oq 51 Road as before going slightly northwards and keep
ing near the line of the Abu-Ghraib Canal. This
canal is apt to overflow in spring, but the flooded
parts are easily got round. Fallujah is a small
.u 1 f. Kpnt of the river There is a bridge of boats here when the river is low, but during the annual
town on the le t bank «, ^ n nV a er -forming a multitude of islands. At such times crossing
rise in spring it widens ou % , he , e £ t ba ^ k t0 Hit. This was the route followed, and is that
is difficultandit isthenb tt t £ end of the low .l y ing Babylonian plain, which there gives
pSte undulMing sISesert. Supplies of all sorts are procurable, and there ,s good open ground to
encamp outside the town. __
..t." hr. c.. r . r...i.ti™ ““ - h “ •
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