"الخليج الفارسي وخليج عُمان. الموارد والدفاعات الساحلية. ١٩٠٣." [و‎‎٢‎٥] (١٢٠/٥٦)

RUSIIIRE.
45
2 s
The inner anchorage is rather over 2 miles N.N.W. of the
town. I he largest vessel which has used this anchorage drew
19£ feet.
Light draught boats reach the embankment on the E. side of
the town by the Khor Sultani.
Shallow draught gunboats frequently enter this creek and
anchor near the town.
In 1880, there were two stone piers on the E. side of the town Landing
at which boats of 100 to 200 “candies” could load, &c. And place,
there were several extensive warehouses close by.
In 1898, however (according to the “Persian Gulf Pilot”),
there were no wharves or piers, but there was a landing place at
the embankment on the E. side of the town.
According to a press account (1902), a visitor stated that
cargo can be brought alongside the Custom House (presumably
on the embankment mentioned above), in boats in almost any
weather, provided that the boats can get out to the steamers.
It is understood that there are no facilities for repairs.
Coal .—There is no coal for sale.
The British Government keep a stock sufficient for 2 | years
(average consumption) for the Koyal Navy. It is stored in
sheds on the embankment of the creek, and is sent off to ships
by lighters. According to a consular report for 1900, the
lighterage for general purposes was very limited, and it was
believed that the customs authorities were negotiating for the
formation of a private steam barge company.
No repairing
facilities.
Supplies.
Water .—There is no water in the town. It has to be brought
from wells outside.
Water is found 12 feet down all over the plain S. of the
town.
Ships can obtain water from the well near the date trees,
half-mile S. of lias ash Shaghab (a little over 4 miles S. of
the town).
In 1856 good water sufficient for a large force was found at
Juffru, a little under 3 miles S. of the tow n.
Food .—Cattle, vegetables, &c., are easily obtained.
Roads .—Chart 27 shows the various tracks in the vicinity of Communica-
the town, and the direction of the caravan routes to Shiraz and t 10118 -
the interior.
Plate 3 (opposite p. 86) shows the extensions of the chief
caravan route to the interior.
The distance to Shiraz is about 180 miles.
Steamers .—The Persian Gulf mail steamers between Basra
and India call weeklv on the up and down voyages. Ihere are
other steamers to Indian and European ports.
A Kussian service betw'een Bushire and Odessa has not met
with much success hitherto, but it is being assisted by the
Kussian Government.