'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From December 1854 to March 1856. (New Issue.) Edited by the Secretary. Volume XII.' [‎69] (180/258)

OBSERVATIONS ON BAGHDAD.
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wars which, during this period, the rivalry of parties has maintained for the
Sheikhship ; and, weak as the Turkish authorities are now, we can expect
no improvement in this respect, as each succeeding year adds to the rupture
the waters originally made. It must, therefore, remain sealed to shipping
until in the course of time it Opens for itself a new channel.
“ The Tigris, however, is eminently navigable from the sea to Baghdad at
all seasons of the year by very ordinary steam vessels drawing three feet wa
ter. In the autumn, when in its lowest state, a little difficulty only is experi
enced, but this is easily overcome by common activity and attention to the
proper channels. There are indeed no impediments to its navigation by steam
vessels upwards for a distance of five hundred miles; and the tribes, though at
times refractory, are in general less violent and exacting than those on the
Euphrates. When the trading boats have been annoyed on this stream, it is in
most cases traceable to the stinginess of the agents, and, I am confident, a more
liberal policy, on the part of the merchants themselves, would secure the pas
sage of their cargoes at any time. This applies to demands made on the track
ing boats principally. Steam vessels would not be so liable to visits and im
portunities of the predatory families on its banks.
“ From Baghdad northwards well found, fast, steam boats could reach the
upper Zab, and with perseverance might attain as far as Mosul from February
to June ; at other times this portion of the Tigris is impracticable from the
low state of the water.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
(Signed) Felix Jones, Commander I. N.
In charge of the Naval Establishment on the Tigris,
and Surveyor in Mesopotamia,
“ To His Excellency
Viscount Stratford De Redcliffe, .G. C. B.,
Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister.
Plenipotentiary to the Sublime Ottoman Porte.”
Both the Euphrates and Tigris could, however, be rendered all that is
desirable under a good Government. As it is, they become more destructive
and less useful every year. The period of the greatest rise varies between
the end of April an'd third week in May. The Euphrates remains at a high
level longer than the Tigris, owing to its sources being in more elevated
tracts. In the latitude of Baghdad the annual rise of both rivers averages
22 feet, but it occasionally exceeds 24 feet, and then the plains around are
submerged, and Baghdad itself, owing to the want of proper precautions, is
i solated for a time in a sea of water. Towards the end ol October they have