'Military Report on Russian Turkistan or Central Asia' [‎31r] (66/168)

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745 tons respectively, while the remainder average about
300 tons), two launches, one small steamer for lighthouse
service, three lightships, and one barge.
The mercantile marine of the Caspian Sea, according Caspian
to the latest information available, consists of approxi- marine,
mately 205 steamers, representing a total tonnage of
about 120,000 tons, and 550 sailing vessels of various
sizes. There are some ten steamship companies engaged
in the carrying trade, of which the “ Kavkaz and
Merkuri ” Company is perhaps the most important, with
connections and agencies in many places in Russia,
Persia, and Central Asia. The Caspian fleet of this
company consists of 22 large and small steamers, the
majority being constructed for cargo and passengers,
9 tugs, and 33 barges. The “ Nadejda ” Company also
has several agencies and a considerable trade. Their
fleet consists of 50 passenger, cargo, and tug steamers,
besides a number of barges and other boats.
The Russian ports in the Caspian, to be considered in Ports,
connection with Central Asia, are the following :—
Baku .—A large commercial town and port on the
western shore of the Caspian Sea. It is frequented by
a considerable amount of shipping, for the accommoda
tion of which there, are 14 piers, jutting out from the
quay, which extends for some 4 miles along the shore.
The main streets lead down to this quay and provide
ample facilities for embarking and disembarking traffic
of all kinds.
Petrovsk .—A small port on the western shore of
the Caspian, 235 miles by rail from Baku. It has
considerable commercial importance in the export of
various products of Central and Southern European
Russia. Its harbour is protected by a long breakwater,
some 500 yards in length, along which there is a line
of railway. There are numerous quays, with berths for
the steamers and barges of the Caspian shipping com
panies. Considerable numbers of troops and military
stores could be embarked witli ease.
I 33403.