"السكك الحديدية في بلاد الرافدين وسياسة [خطوط الاتصالات]، المجلد II" [و‎‎٦‎٢] (٢٧٤/١٢٣)

COPY OF TELEGRAM
Prom ^neral Baghdad, to Secretary Far Office.
Repeated C.G.S. India, I.G.C. Inwater.
Q/3882, 20th Feb.# Your telegram 15th February 64641/MR3/406•
Chief General Staff, Simla in his 68711, October 10th 1917 aaked
that qu estion of_substituting oil fuel for coal supply in river
fleet and railway should be gone into as soon as possible in order
to relieve difficulty of coal supply in India, effect a large
saving in freight and unloading at Basra, and suro financial
saving estimated about 8/o« On November 3rd Chief General
Staff Delhi was informed that gradual conversion into oil fuel
of existing fleet, with exception of certain unsuitable vessels,
would be commenced about middle of January, by which time ships arr
iving from England would have been fitted up, and Inwater Basra
was therefore instructed to indent ©n India for necessary fittings*
Rough estimate gives dates of completion of conversion as one
year for river fleet, and eight months for railways♦ Sohome
prepared by I#YI.T. agreed to by railways includes provision of
tanks at all points necessary for fuel supply to railways and
to Inwater vessels# Also provision of pipe-line from Abadan to
Basra for bunicering purposes, thus obviating necessity send
barges Abadan where facilities loading not of the best, and
thus saving voyage of 64 miles# The above scheme has my
approval.
Addressed Secretary, ’7ar Office, repeated C.G.S. India,
I.G.C. Basra.
G.O.C. BAGHDAD
Circulated per M.R.3, to:
D. G, M • R *
M.O.X, Copies to:
M.R.l.
M. R • 2 «
M.O.X.
D.C.I.G.S
D.H.O.
M.0,2.
M.0.2«a.
D.S.D. Q.M.G.
D.D.S.D. D.S.T.
S ,D.2. Q.M.G.6.
S.D.2.a. India Office
S.D.2.B.
Major Day.
Lt .Col. Francis