File 50/1914 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Lights and Buoys; Expenditure' [‎65r] (133/423)

:lec °ile
ler ! of I
l0 ^W
^IIITZei,
to tie
te Mortle
■sian Gulf,
ds figure
afonaation
for fie
rff, it was
lit of Is
buildings
ing plant,
1 foremen
ransferall
'ostof tie
;d in tie
imb after
r oa tl 16
The above estimates were based on the assumption that masonry towers
would be constructed, but it was eventually decided to build the structures of
iron. The Elder Brethren see no reason why these estimates should have
been exceeded had the works been carried out as allowed for in them ; but,
beyond familiarity with the designs of the iron towers as constructed, they
have no knowledge of wdiat other work was executed on these islands, or upon
what the money involved has been expended.
Taking into consideration the substitution of iron for masonry towers in
these estimates, however, the following points demand attention:—
Regarding Tamb, the iron tower, lantern and lighting apparatus were
manufactured, erected complete in England, dismantled, packed and delivered
on board ship at a cost of 3,040k
The India authorities are in possession of details as to freight from England
to Tamb.
The erecting mechanic proceeded from England and arrived on the island
in April 1913. He worked altogether in the gulf for 17 weeks, during which
time the tower at Tamb was erected ; he had left the island, and was engaged
on the Quoin at his death. It appears, therefore, that the erection of the
tower was a very simple matter. The construction of the concrete foundations
presented no unusual feature involving excessive cost.
In addition there were the dwellings, which, if the usual mud construction
throughout the Gulf was followed, could have been erected for a very small
sum. . , , 1 . . .
Id regard to the Quoin, the iron tower, lantern and lighting apparatus
were manufactured, erected complete in England, dismantled, packed and
delivered on board ship for 4,776k 15s. Gtk
The cost of freight from England, landing the material on the island and
delivering it on the site would amount to a small proportion only of this sum,
and, in view of the fact that the work was in the first place put together m this
country before being shipped, and having regard to the celerity with which the
erection of the tower at Tamb was effected, it appears to the Eider Brethren
that the erection of the tower on the site, after making all allowances lor the
nature of the position and the climatic conditions, should have involved only a
comparatively small additional outlay. ,,
There is no information at Trinity House to show, what work was actually
executed on the island apart, from the tower, but it is not clear why the
estimate of 12,500Z. was materially exceeded. . j m i
It appears from the accounts that the works at Quoin and lamb were m
hand for nearly four years. The Elder Brethren consider that two years at
most should have been ample for the execution of all the. work included m
Mr. Hood's estimates, even with a comparatively small working stall. -
In conclusion, I am to state that, by the courtesy of the Colonial autnonties
the Elder Brethren have ascertained that, in the case of the lighthouse erected
at Kuraman, Borneo, which was a duplicate of that for lamb, the cost of
freight to Borneo, transfer to the island, construction of a landing place and
buildings, and the erection of the toumr amounted to 2,612k, as compared vuth
12,647k for expenditure under the same heads in the case of lamb.
The Under Secretary of State
for India.
I am, &c.,
H. G. Willett.
on ^
34(3*